Glossary of Key Terms
* Active Inspiration: The direct intervention of the Holy Spirit to guide a specific action, such as prophesying or writing scripture. This is presented as distinct from a constant, moment-to-moment control over a person's life.
* Bumpers: Part of a bowling analogy used to describe a state where failure is impossible. The speaker argues this did not apply to Jesus, as it would invalidate his free will and the meaning of his temptations.
* Free Will: The capacity to make one's own choices. The speaker emphasizes that for Jesus's life and rejection of sin to be meaningful, his free will had to be intact.
* Horn of Salvation: A phrase from Zechariah's prophecy referring to a powerful savior. The speaker identifies this figure as Jesus, who comes from the "house of his servant David."
* House of David: The royal lineage from the tribe of Judah, to which Joseph and Jesus belonged. This is distinct from the priestly lineage of John the Baptist.
* John (the Baptist): The son of Zechariah and Elizabeth, from the priestly tribe of Levi. His prophesied purpose was not to be the savior, but to "prepare the way" for Jesus.
* Luke: The author of the Gospel of Luke. The speaker characterizes him as a historian who may have interviewed eyewitnesses, including Mary, to gather information for his account.
* Manger: A feeding trough for animals where the infant Jesus was laid. Its mention in the narrative is used as evidence that the shepherds visited Jesus in the stable shortly after his birth.
* Tribe of Levi: The tribe of Israel set apart for priestly duties. Zechariah, Elizabeth, and John were all Levites.
* The Word: A theological term from the Gospel of John used to refer to Jesus. The phrase "the Word became flesh" signifies the incarnation—God taking on a human form.
* Zechariah: A priest from the tribe of Levi and the father of John the Baptist. He was filled with the Holy Spirit and delivered a prophecy about both Jesus's and John's roles in God's plan of salvation.
