52 Words Every Christian Should Know

by Kendell H. Easley

Kendell Easley provides a Bible verse in which each word or concept is used, a succinct definition, and helpful articles further explaining the significance of each entry.

Genres: Christian, Ebooks, Nonfiction, Theology, Christian Living, Amazon

135 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 19, 2010

Reviews

[Lynn Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good little read. It is not much over 100 pages so if you are a fast reader, it won't take you long to work your way through. It is a very good book for all Christians whether you have been a Christian for many years or are a new believer. For the older believers (like myself) it is a good refresher course and you might also learn some history about certain aspects of our faith. For new believers, it is a solid introduction to many biblical concepts. I did like the way the author was able to present various controversial subjects such as Lord's Supper, Baptism, speaking in tongues, and end times and show and explain various viewpoints and historical basis for the viewpoints without showing his own personal bias.

Each "word" (a few are phrases) starts with a scripture reference, followed by a definition of the word, followed by a page or so of explanation/explication, closed with a sort of "food for thought" and a short prayer. Each word is only 2-3 pages and could be read in just a couple of minutes. So even if you only read one word a day, you could finish the book in less than two months.

[James Frederick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as part of a small group Bible study. We met every other week and read two chapters for each class session. The chapters are VERY short, only a page or two, which made it very easy to read and use for our group. There were times when I felt like we got the "abridged version," as references were made to information that was not included.

Newer Christians will benefit from reading this to get a general sense of what these words mean. More seasoned Christians will benefit from reviewing and rethinking what they believe. There is a reflection and a prayer at the end of each chapter. Chapters are grouped into "sections" that link similar words and concepts to each other. The negative in handling things this way as that several chapters in a row dealt with sometimes repetitive ideas. A couple of them seemed like words could be used interchangeably for a number of chapters.

All in all, this was a decent book for our study and was very useful in focusing our discussions. I think that use of the book in this manner was almost ideal. I am not sure whether I would have enjoyed the book as much, if I had simply read it from cover to cover. If used as a devotional or a weekly study prompt, I think the book works well.

James

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a very brief overview of the essential teachings of Christianity. Each chapter is brief, about 600 words. It is designed for one chapter to be read per week. Each chapter has discussion questions, as well as a prayer on the theme of the chapter.

Kendell Easley writes from a broadly evangelical background, but avoids weighing in on a number of issues like: dispensational eschatology, Calvinism, Pentecostal issues, and the sacraments or ordinances. In chapters on these topics, he maps out the different positions without evaluation.

I would put this book in the same category as RC Sproul's, Essential Truths of the Christian Faith, or Peter Jeffrey's, Bitesize Theology, but broader in theological setting (Sproul and Jeffrey are very explicitly Calvinistic).

This is a good introduction to important biblical words. As a pastor, I find it helpful because it is a 'guiding light' for me to figure out how to teach theologically yet at a frequency level that a popular, lay audience could understand and find beneficial.

Useful.

[Jeannine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sort of a mini-systematic theology but lacking...

[BARBARA A MITTLESTEAD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informational

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the premise behind Kendell Easley's 52 Words Every Christian Should Know. In the introduction, he writes that this book is a book, "for everyday believers that says, 'Christian terms have standard meanings, and here are the historic, orthodox meanings of essential terms.'" I agree with Easley that it is essential for believers to have more than a fuzzy notion of what these terms mean: clarity is what is needed. He chose 52 words so that even the busiest person could have no excuse: one word per week for an entire year. (I think this would be a great book to use in Sunday School classes or group bible studies.)

Each term is "presented in a two-page study, organized into 8 major biblical categories."

The eight categories:

God
Scripture
Creation and Mankind
Sin
Jesus
Salvation
Church and Discipleship
Last Things

A sampling of the terms:

Sovereignty
Great Commandments
Covenants
Original Sin
Hell
Messiah
Atonement
Resurrection
Justification
Regeneration
Adoption
Baptism
Lord's Supper
Sanctification
Glorification
Second Coming
Heaven

A sampling of the definitions:

Trinity: DEFINITION: God is eternally one Being. Yet He exists eternally as three Persons, the Father, the Son, and the Spirit. There are not three Gods, only one. The Father, the Son, and the Spirit are distinct from each other.

Depravity: DEFINITION: Depravity means tendency toward evil. Everyone is naturally inclined away from loving God and toward self-centeredness. Humans are not as sinful as they can possibly be, but they are tainted by evil through and through.

Gospel: DEFINITION: Depravity means tendency toward evil. Everyone is naturally inclined away from loving God and toward self-centeredness. Humans are not as sinful as they can possibly be, but they are tainted by evil through and through.

Regeneration: DEFINITION: Regeneration or being born again refers to God's act of making a person alive spiritually. This is the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit by which sinners are given new spiritual life enabling them to relate to God in faith, love, obedience, and delight.

Faith: DEFINITION: Gospel faith means trust, reliance, confidence, or commitment. Jesus Christ, specifically His death in saving sinners, is the object of such belief. This must be distinguished from “assent” (belief that facts are true). Loyalty and devotion are included in genuine faith.

Hell: DEFINITION: Hell is the final place and condition of unregenerate humans (and evil spirits) in which they consciously suffer everlasting punishment, separated from God forever. It is a place of spiritual, psychological, and bodily torment from which there will never be hope of release.

Heaven: DEFINITION: Heaven is the supernatural location of God's presence displayed far beyond the earth, where the holy angels worship Him. After the last judgment and the renewal of all things, God will manifest His presence among the redeemed in “the New Jerusalem.”

I appreciated this book. I think it is a necessary book. Understanding and comprehension is important. Assumption that everyone is automatically "on the same page" is wishful thinking. These are words used commonly in sermons, in Christian articles and books, in conversations and debates. Not that this is about "being smart." These terms can bring clarity to WHAT you believe and WHY you believe which could impact HOW you live and HOW you share the gospel. For example, understanding, "grasping" truths such as justification and sanctification and atonement and adoption CAN be life changing.

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

This is a definition and concise explanation of fifty two ChristIan terms that every Christian needs to know and understand. It is well done with brief descriptions of alternative definitions when required.

[Shelby Gaug · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting

This book was really informative. It dives into deeper meaning of the "Christian-ese" words we hear all the time in church and fleshes out our understanding of these words.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brief summary of key biblical terms.

[Paul Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

Repeative

The book is not opening any new insights or original thought! Doesn't lineup with it's promise wasn't clear in view of the day!