In this episode of The Bible Friends, we’re talking about why defining theological terms matters so much in Christian conversations. Sometimes two people can use the exact same word while meaning completely different things—and that can lead to confusion, unnecessary disagreement, or even serious theological misunderstanding.

We discuss examples like contemplative prayer, atonement, orthodoxy, condemnation, salvation, election, and predestination, and why it’s helpful to simply ask, “What do you mean by that?” before assuming we understand someone’s position.

Defining our terms doesn’t just help us communicate better with other believers—it also helps us examine our own understanding and compare what we believe with Scripture. Ultimately, our goal isn’t simply to win theological discussions, but to pursue truth, sharpen one another, and test everything against the Word of God.

Have you ever realized you were using a theological term incorrectly? Or have you had a conversation go sideways because you and someone else were using the same word differently? Let us know in the comments!

The Bible Friends is a Christian podcast where we gather around God’s Word to seek truth together. We believe Scripture is sufficient, authoritative, and living, and that every belief and experience should be tested against it.