{
  "id": "dict_006299",
  "term": "Temple theology",
  "slug": "temple-theology",
  "letter": "T",
  "entry_type": "theological_term",
  "entry_family": "theological_term",
  "depth_profile": "standard",
  "short_definition": "Temple theology is the study of how the Bible’s temple theme develops from Eden and the tabernacle and temple to Christ, the church, and the new creation. It focuses on God’s presence, holiness, worship, and atonement.",
  "simple_one_line": "The study of temple themes such as presence, holiness, worship, and fulfillment.",
  "tooltip_text": "The study of temple themes such as presence, holiness, worship, and fulfillment.",
  "aliases": [],
  "scripture_references": [],
  "original_language_terms": [],
  "related_entries": [
    "Temple Christology",
    "Tabernacle",
    "Presence of God",
    "Holiness",
    "sacrifice"
  ],
  "see_also": [],
  "lede_intro": "",
  "at_a_glance_definition": "",
  "at_a_glance_key_points": [],
  "description_academic_short": "Temple theology is a biblical-theological way of tracing the theme of the temple across Scripture. It examines how God’s dwelling with his people is expressed through sacred space, priestly ministry, sacrifice, holiness, and worship, and how these themes are fulfilled in Christ and carried forward in the church and the promised new creation. Interpreters differ on some details, but the central theme is God dwelling among his people according to his covenant purposes.",
  "description_academic_full": "Temple theology refers to the study of the temple as a major theme in Scripture and of the ways that theme develops across the biblical story. In the Old Testament, the tabernacle and later the temple were appointed places of God’s dwelling presence, covenant worship, sacrifice, priestly service, and holiness. In the New Testament, these realities are closely connected to Jesus Christ, who fulfills the sacrificial and mediating purposes to which the temple pointed, and to the church, which is described corporately as God’s dwelling by the Spirit. Many also trace the theme from Eden as an early pattern of God dwelling with man and forward to the new creation, where God’s presence is fully realized. Because scholars and traditions differ on how broadly the temple pattern should be extended, the safest conclusion is that temple theology highlights the Bible’s unified witness to God’s holy presence among his people and the fulfillment of temple themes in Christ and God’s redemptive plan.",
  "background_biblical_context": "",
  "background_historical_context": "",
  "background_jewish_ancient_context": "",
  "key_texts_primary": [],
  "key_texts_secondary": [],
  "original_language_note": "",
  "theological_significance": "",
  "philosophical_explanation": "",
  "interpretive_cautions": "",
  "major_views_note": "",
  "doctrinal_boundaries": "",
  "practical_significance": "",
  "meta_description": "Temple theology is the study of how the Bible’s temple theme develops from Eden and the tabernacle and temple to Christ, the church, and the new creation. It focuses on God’s presence, holiness, worship, and atonement.",
  "public_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/temple-theology/",
  "json_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/data/dictionary/temple-theology.json",
  "final_disposition": "PUBLISH_CANONICAL"
}