Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical literature, a "theme" refers to a central topic or idea that recurs throughout the Scriptures, providing coherence and depth to the biblical narrative. Themes in the Bible often reveal God's character, His relationship with humanity, and His divine plan for creation. These themes are woven throughout both the Old and New Testaments, offering insights into the spiritual truths and moral teachings that underpin the Christian faith.
Creation and Sovereignty of GodOne of the most prominent themes in the Bible is the sovereignty of God as Creator. The opening chapters of Genesis establish God as the Creator of the universe, emphasizing His authority and power.
Genesis 1:1 states, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." This theme is reiterated throughout Scripture, highlighting God's ongoing involvement and control over His creation. Passages such as
Psalm 24:1, "The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof," affirm His ownership and dominion over all things.
Covenant and PromiseThe theme of covenant is central to understanding God's relationship with humanity. Throughout the Bible, God establishes covenants with key figures such as Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David, each serving as a foundation for His promises and expectations. In
Genesis 12:2-3, God promises Abraham, "I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing." These covenants reveal God's faithfulness and His plan for redemption, ultimately fulfilled in the New Covenant through Jesus Christ.
Sin and RedemptionThe theme of sin and redemption is crucial to the biblical narrative. The fall of humanity in
Genesis 3 introduces sin into the world, resulting in separation from God.
Romans 3:23 states, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." However, the Bible also presents the theme of redemption, where God provides a means for humanity to be reconciled to Him. This is most clearly seen in the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, as described in
John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."
Faith and ObedienceFaith and obedience are recurring themes that illustrate the proper response to God's revelation.
Hebrews 11 provides a "hall of faith," highlighting individuals who demonstrated trust in God despite challenges.
Hebrews 11:6 emphasizes, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." Obedience to God's commands is also a key theme, as seen in
Deuteronomy 6:5, "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength."
Love and CompassionThe theme of love is central to the message of the Bible, reflecting God's nature and His expectations for human relationships. 1
John 4:8 declares, "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." The greatest commandments, as stated by Jesus in
Matthew 22:37-39, are to love God and love one's neighbor. Compassion and mercy are extensions of this love, as believers are called to care for the needy and show kindness to others, exemplified in passages like
Micah 6:8, "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"
Kingdom of GodThe theme of the Kingdom of God is a central focus of Jesus' teaching in the New Testament. It represents God's reign and the fulfillment of His redemptive purposes. Jesus begins His ministry proclaiming, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel" (
Mark 1:15). This theme encompasses both a present reality and a future hope, as believers anticipate the full realization of God's kingdom with the return of Christ.
Eternal Life and HopeThe promise of eternal life and the hope of resurrection are vital themes that offer assurance to believers. The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of Christian hope, as Paul writes in
1 Corinthians 15:20, "But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep." This hope extends to all who trust in Christ, as affirmed in
1 Peter 1:3-4, "He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you."
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A subject or topic on which a person writes or speaks; a proposition for discussion or argument; a text.
2. (n.) Discourse on a certain subject.
3. (n.) A composition or essay required of a pupil.
4. (n.) A noun or verb, not modified by inflections; also, that part of a noun or verb which remains unchanged (except by euphonic variations) in declension or conjugation; stem.
5. (n.) That by means of which a thing is done; means; instrument.
6. (n.) The leading subject of a composition or a movement.
Greek
2214. zetesis -- a search, questioning... question, speculation. From zeteo; a searching (properly, the act), ie A dispute
or its
theme -- question. see GREEK zeteo. (ekzeteseis) -- 1 Occurrence.
...4899. suneklektos -- chosen together with
... 4899 ("chosen together") refers to believers as divinely- () -- atheme elaborated
on earlier in the epistle (1 Pet 1:1,2). 1 Pet 5:13: "She who is in Babylon...
Strong's Hebrew
1697. dabar -- speech, word... thing (1), saying (3), says (1), so much (2), some (1), something (4), songs* (1),
speak (2), speech (2), talk (2), talking* (1), task (1),
theme (1), thing (96
...1161. biuthim -- terrors, alarms
... 1160, 1161. biuthim. 1162 . terrors, alarms. Transliteration: biuthim
Phonetic Spelling: (be-oo-theme') Short Definition: terrors....
Library
TheTheme of Acts
... THETHEME OF ACTS. 'The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all
that Jesus began both to do and teach.2. Until the day...
The Apostle'sTheme
... CORINTHIANS (To II Corinthians, Chap. V) THE APOSTLE'STHEME.... I. Note here first,
then, the Apostolictheme"Jesus Christ and Him crucified....
The PropheticTheme. Rev. Gervase Smith.
... THE PROPHETICTHEME. REV. GERVASE SMITH.... I.--- THE STUDENT, AND II."HISTHEME.
I. "The prophets have enquired and searched diligently."....
With the Opening of this ChapterWe Come to Quite a DifferentTheme...
... CHAPTER V. With the opening of this chapter we come to quite a differenttheme.?
With the opening of this chapter we come to quite a differenttheme....
Assumptions Concerning the Book of Isaiah.
... close of the book. Second"On the ground that thetheme is more exalted than
in the first thirty-nine chapters. Hence, it is assumed...
The Firstborn.
... but for you it is safe" (Philippians 3:1). Peter's preaching in the opening chapters
of the Acts might have been called monotonous, for he knew but onetheme....
Preface
... On the whole, in Dr. Whyte's later ministry, notheme was so familiar to his
congregation or so beloved by himself as "Luke eleven and one." To include the...
The Interpretation of the Early Narratives of the Old Testament
... the lips of his contemporaries and incorporated it in the cycle of stories in which
it is now found, Here the language, literary style,theme, and conceptions...
The Epistle to the Romans
... In the following two verses the apostle states histheme: "The gospel is
the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth....
The Bible
... Here is thetheme of my discourse, atheme which demands more eloquence than I possess;
a subject upon which a thousand orators might speak at once; a mighty...
Thesaurus
Theme (1 Occurrence)... Multi-Version Concordance
Theme (1 Occurrence). Psalms 119:54 Thy statutes
have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage. (See NIV).
...Sermon (1 Occurrence)
... to some interesting literary and historical questions: Do the two accounts represent
two distinct discourses dealing with the same generaltheme but spoken on...
Subject (99 Occurrences)
... 9. (n.) The person who is treated of; the hero of a piece; the chief character.
10. (a.) That of which anything is affirmed or predicated; thetheme of a...
Hebrews (24 Occurrences)
... VI. CONTENTS 1. Summary of Contents 2. The MainTheme 3. Alexandrian
Influences 4. The Christian Factor LITERATURE I. Title. In...
Proverbs (11 Occurrences)
... The book was not originally conceived as the development of atheme, or
even as a unity; whatever unity it has was an afterthought....
Priesthood (30 Occurrences)
... The priesthood of Christ and its mighty effects in sacrifice and intercession on
behalf of the people of God are the chief and fundamentaltheme of the Epistle...
Malchiel (3 Occurrences)
... to some interesting literary and historical questions: Do the two accounts represent
two distinct discourses dealing with the same generaltheme but spoken on...
Question (153 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) Hence, a subject of investigation, examination, or debate;theme of inquiry;
matter to be inquired into; as, a delicate or doubtful question....
Variation (1 Occurrence)
... 4. (n.) Repetition of atheme or melody with fanciful embellishments or modifications,
in time, tune, or harmony, or sometimes change of key; the presentation...
Overflows (9 Occurrences)
... Set to "The Lilies." A contemplation by the sons of Korah. A wedding song. My heart
overflows with a nobletheme. I recite my verses for the king....
Resources
Sitemap of www.GotQuestions.org | GotQuestions.orgWhy do the four Gospels seem to present a different message of salvation than the rest of the New Testament? | GotQuestions.orgQuestions about Life ' Theme Index | GotQuestions.orgTheme: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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