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Definition of
Rhema

 
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Definition of Christian Terms
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Rhema
Rhema is a Greek term that is often translated "word" in English versions of the New Testament. The Greek word logos is also translated "word" in a number of English translations. Many Charismatic teachers insist that there is a very special difference between these two types of "words." The logos kind of word is viewed as being the biblical "written word." But a rhema word is a special, modern revelation to someone. It may be in the form of a flash of insight into some spiritual matter that is not clearly covered in scripture. Or it may be an intuitive understanding that a particular scripture verse or passage has immediate application to a current circumstance, even though in context in the Bible it may have nothing at all to do with the topic of the circumstance. Such rhema words are sought after to give daily guidance to the life of the Christian.

According to most Greek scholars, however, there is no real linguistic validity to this theory that the Bible writers deliberately made such a distinction between these two Greek words. And much of what passes for rhema words in many Charismatic circles appears to be extremely idiosyncratic, unsubstantiated, highly fanciful inventions of the subconscious of the person claiming to have the rhema word. Yet many of these "modern revelations"
 
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Definition of Christian Terms and Phrases

Apocalypse
Battle of Armageddon
Charismatic
Deliverance
Dominion Theology
Exegesis
Five-fold ministry
Generation curse
Great Tribulation
Hebrew Name
Holy Laughter
Hundred-fold blessing
Jewish Roots
Kansas City Prophets
Legalism
Millennial Kingdom
Pensacola Outpouring
Pentecostal
Prooftexting
Rapture
Reconstructionism
Return of Christ
Rhema
Sacred Name
Satan's Seed
Secret Rapture
Second Coming
Speaking in Tongues
Spiritual Warfare
Tongues
Tribulation
Word Faith
 
Definitions taken from Field Guide to the Wild World of Religion
© Pam Dewey and are used by permission.
 
  
 
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