The tendency to frame any issue as two opposing positions — each defining itself by what it is not. The pattern surfaces everywhere — politics, theology, biblical interpretation. Seeing it clearly significantly disarms its power. Related: False Dichotomy. See: Fulfillments of Christ Simplifies All
Rhēma (ῥῆμα) — An ancient Greek term referring to an individual spoken word, utterance, or specific saying — the operational, literal sound of a spoken message. When Jesus declares that man lives by “every word (rhēma) that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4), the term points to the direct, localized breath of God’s voice….
From the Greek hagiasmos, rooted in hagios — the Greek rendering of the Hebrew qadosh: set apart, designated for a specific purpose. Not primarily a moral improvement process but a directional one: removed from common use and oriented toward something specific. Connects directly to ekklesia — the called-out ones. Synonyms: sanctify, sanctified, hagios, hagiasmos, holiness, qadosh.
Greek: sɛptjuədʒɪnt, sometimes referred to as the Greek Old Testament and abbreviated as LXX, is the earliest extant Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible from the original Biblical Hebrew. It is used by some Old Testament translations as the source text. See the Wikipedia article for more details.
Shema (שְׁמַע) — The Hebrew imperative meaning “Hear!” or “Listen!” In ancient Hebrew thought, shema carries more than auditory reception — it implies deep intellectual engagement that immediately issues in faithful, responsive action. To shema is to hear in a way that moves you. Liturgically, the Shema refers to the central confession of the Jewish faith in Deuteronomy 6:4: “Hear, O…
From the Hebrew Torah — instruction, direction — rooted in yarah, to aim as an archer toward a target. Never primarily legislative. The stone tablets were hidden inside the ark, inside the most holy place, mediated by a priest. The promise was always to move that instruction from stone to flesh — from concealment behind a veil to…
