kerugma
Noun: 1. The essential Christian message of salvation through Jesus Christ, especially as proclaimed in the early church: "Kerygma" refers to the core, public proclamation of the Gospel, focusing on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus as the fulfillment of God's promises and the call to repentance and faith.
The word "kerygma" is a specialized theological term used primarily in academic, historical, and religious contexts to discuss the content and method of early Christian preaching. It distinguishes the foundational proclamation from later theological teaching or instruction (which is called didache).
- The apostle Peter's sermon at Pentecost in the Book of Acts is a classic example of the kerygma.
- Scholars study the kerygma to understand the core beliefs of the first Christians.
- His preaching focused less on moral rules and more on the powerful kerygma of Christ crucified and risen.
- Kerygmatic (adj): Pertaining to or characterized by the proclamation of the kerygma.
- The sermon had a powerful, kerygmatic style that called for a decisive response.
- The term is often contrasted with didache, which refers to the subsequent teaching and ethical instruction for those who have accepted the kerygma.
- Kerygmatic (adjective): Of or relating to the kerygma.
- Proclamation: A more general synonym for a public announcement.
- Proclamation
- Preaching
- Gospel message
- Core message
"Kerygma" is a transliteration of the Greek word κήρυγμα (kērugma), which means "proclamation" or "preaching." In a Christian theological context, it has a very specific meaning and is not used in everyday language. It does not refer to just any religious sermon but specifically to the apostolic proclamation of Jesus as Lord and Christ.
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preaching the gospel of Christ in the manner of the early church
