Manual Theological Dictionary

Its author, the well-known and esteemed historian and Christian theologian Dr. Justo L. González, claims to have been mentally writing it for over half a century, whenever, in his constant reading practice, he encountered many unknown terms in the books he read, and others very well-known, but which in the context in which they were found had a different meaning. His consultations in general dictionaries, biblical dictionaries, and even theological dictionaries, were almost always fruitless or not very enlightening. The former due to their laconism and brief definitions of words and concepts of a technical nature and meaning; the latter because such terms do not appear as they are not words that form part of the biblical text; and in the latter because their explanations, although extensive, were incomplete and outdated. Both language and theology are living realities, and therefore, they constantly change. New topics or new conditions arise, and then new words are required, or old words with new meanings. Hence, dictionaries should be subject to almost constant updating. "The manuals and dictionaries that I myself used when I began my studies," says Justo L. González, "no longer serve me today to understand new terms and concepts."

The three hundred pages that make up the present MANUAL THEOLOGICAL DICTIONARY are the printed result of this long compilation and constant mental updating of theological words and concepts, carried out by the author. And in addition to being arranged alphabetically, as corresponds to a dictionary, it presents a different approach, according to each case:

Some are words used exclusively or almost exclusively in theology, such as "Nestorianism" and "Arianism." In such cases, the term is explained sufficiently so that the reader can understand not only its meaning but also something of its history and importance.

Others are words used in theology with meanings different from those of common usage. Examples include "reformed" or "creationism." In these cases, the aim is to clarify the purely theological meaning (or meanings).

A third class of articles refers to words of secondary importance in theology, but which the student may encounter in their readings. Words such as "theopaschism" and "hylomorphism." They have been included so that this "Manual Dictionary" can also serve more advanced students in theological work.

Finally, those words have also been included that, despite being of common use, and therefore well known to all, such as "God" or the term "Theology" itself, are of primary importance in theological work. For this reason, and thinking of the user not initiated in the subject, for them, more than a definition, a brief summary of the debate regarding them, as well as their importance and history, is offered.

All of this is complemented and reinforced by a well-developed system of cross-references between the different articles, indicated by an arrow: ==>. After the arrow, the title of another article in the dictionary follows, which can expand on or help clarify what is being discussed. However, it is important to warn the user that because this is a dictionary of theological terms and concepts, that is, it does not primarily deal with people but with their ideas, the title of the referenced article is not always exactly the same as the word that follows the arrow, but rather of the same root. Thus, when looking for the reference to "==>Hegel", the reader will find "Hegelianism".

Therefore, we are faced with a very well-developed, updated, contextualized, and conscientiously crafted work. More than sufficient not only to resolve any doubts of the casual reader of Christian literature but even to meet the academic needs of the student or professor of theology.