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Glossary
Definition of word.
theme
theme
A writing theme (or, motif) is a principal subject, concept, or idea that is repeated in the text. A theme is broad in thought, but brief in summary. Sometimes a writing's title plainly reveals the main theme. In other cases, we find the theme undergirding the characters and interlaced through the events. The theme is deeper than the decoration of literary devices and behind artistic word choices, but the theme may be rendered to the reader through repetitious vocabulary. Unlike miscellaneous topics found in literature, a theme reoccurs to the reader by the variation of new settings, characters, events, dialogue, and the like. A theme is best identified through pondering a writing after thoroughly reading the text. We miss the most critical summarizing thoughts of a writer if we fail to detect his theme. Remember that a book can have multiple themes. The Bible has several recurrent themes which are interwoven through the various biblical books creating the sense of unity throughout. The following themes are found in many biblical books:
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The Afterlife or Eternity: Damnation or Salvation
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Authority, Submission, and Rebellion
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Baptisms, Cleansings, or Washings
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Blessing to or Care for Mankind
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Blessing versus Cursing
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Blood Sacrifice or Atonement
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Children of Faith and Children of Blood
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The Condition of the Land
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Conversion
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Covenants
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The Church
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Cycle: Slavery or Oppression, Repentance or Crying Out, and Redemption or Salvation
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Divine Mediation: Priestly Petitions (from Man) or Prophetic Declarations (from God)
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Evangelism or the Spread of Truth
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Faith and Obedience
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The False Prophets and Teachers
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Fruitfulness or Numeric Multiplication versus Barrenness or Diminishment
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Generational Heritage or Legacy
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Good versus Evil; Righteousness versus Wickedness
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Grace, Mercy, and Forgiveness
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Heroic Leadership
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Holy Days, Memorials, and Remembrances
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The Holy Spirit or God's Spirit
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Idolatry (by God's People and by Heathen)
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Jesus Christ (in the New Testament)
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Journey, Pilgrimage, Movement, or Travel
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Judgment Day or the Day of the LORD
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The Kingdom of God or Kingdom of Heaven
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Life and Death
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The Land of Israel (a.k.a., Canaan's Land or the Promised Land)
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Love and Hate
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The Messiah (or, Anointed Savior) (in the Old Testament)
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Monotheism
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The Mosaic Law or God's Law
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The Nation of Israel
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Old Testament (or, Old Covenant) versus New Testament (or, New Covenant)
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Persecution of the Righteous
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The Remnant
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The Resurrection of the Dead
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The Royal Bloodline of David
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Self-sacrifice
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Truth versus Falsehood
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Wisdom versus Foolishness
Author: Allen B. Wolfe
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