Rebecca Stark is the author of The Good Portion: Godthe second title in The Good Portion series.

The Good Portion: God explores what Scripture teaches about God in hopes that readers will see his perfection, worth, magnificence, and beauty as they study his triune nature, infinite attributes, and wondrous works. 

                     

« Linked Together: Recommended for Listening | Main | The Heidelberg Catechism »
Tuesday
Oct152013

Theological Term of the Week

coram Deo
Literally, “before the face of God”; the Christian conviction that every person is responsible before God for all they think and do, because all of life is lived in the the presence of God, under his authority, and everything should be done to the honor and glory of God;1

  • From scripture:
  • Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men … .  (Colossians 3:23 ESV)

    So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV)

  • From Covenantal Apologetics by K. Scott Oliphant:  
  • [A]ll people, just because they are image of God, are responsible to God for everything they are, do, and think… . Every person lives coram Deo, that is, before the face of God, and thus is responsible to God for his every thought and action. This responsibility is presumed in the final judgment. God will judge all men on that day. Those who have rejected him will be eternally punished for that rejection, and those who have trusted him will be eternally rewarded. This judgment assumes that the entirety of humanity is responsible to the same God; all are obligated to obey him because he is their Creator and Sustainer. 

Learn more:

  1. R. C. Sproul: What does coram Deo mean? and Living Coram Deo
  2. Burk Parsons: Integrity, Coram Deo

Related terms:

Filed under Anthropology

1See What Does “coram Deo” Mean?

Do you have a a theological 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.

PrintView Printer Friendly Version

EmailEmail Article to Friend

Reader Comments (1)

I'm really enjoying the snippets you're sharing from Oliphint's book!

October 16, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterKim Shay

PostPost a New Comment

Enter your information below to add a new comment.

My response is on my own website »
Author Email (optional):
Author URL (optional):
Post:
 
Some HTML allowed: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <code> <em> <i> <strike> <strong>