Theological Term of the Week

advent
The coming of Christ, used to refer to either his incarnation (first advent), or his future second coming (second advent). Also used in reference to the season of worship (or the period of the church calendar) leading up to and anticipating the celebration of the birth of Christ.  

• From scripture:

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, [5] to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. (Galatians 4:4-5 ESV)

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, [12] training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, [13] waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ … . (Titus 2:11-13 ESV)

• From George Eldon Ladd:

[C]ontrary to outward appearances, the life of Jesus of Nazareth embodies an invasion into history by God, veiled though it was. In this veiled form the presence of God could be seen only by the eyes of faith…

This is why the Second Coming of Christ is necessary – to complete the work begun in his Incarnation. There are, in other words, two great events in God’s conquest of the powers of evil, two invasions of God into history: the Incarnation and the Second Coming. 

Learn more:

1. Blue Letter Bible: Celebrating the First Advent of Christ
2. Bob Deffinbaugh: The Coming of the Christ
3. Leon Morris: Second Coming of Christ
4. Kim Riddlebarger: The Second Coming
5. John MacArthur: Living in Anticipation of Christ’s Return, Part 1, Part 2 (audio)

Related term:

• ascension of Jesus
• incarnation
• virgin birth

Filed under Person and Work of Christ

Do you have a term you’d like to see featured here as a Theological Term of the Week? If you email it to me, I’ll seriously consider using it, giving you credit for the suggestion and linking back to your blog when I do.

Clicking on the Theological Term graphic at the top of this post will take you to a list of all the previous theological terms in alphabetical order.