Primary sources
records produced during the time period being studied, usually by those involved in the events being studied
Secondary sources
records that explain or interpret primary sources
Artifacts
objects made by people
Tradition
the handing down of information by word of mouth from generation to generation
Written records
records of the past that are more accurate than oral traditions; include such things as private letters, inventory lists, inscriptions, diaries, and journals
Evaluation of historical sources
examination of a given record for its internal consistency and believability
Historical synthesis
gathering the useful information and weaving the information together into a narrative of the past
Historical interpretation
interpreting events by integrating the perceived meaning and significance of the events
Worldview
a perspective from which we may examine and interpret the universe and everything in it
Divine providence
biblical teaching that there is no event that is out of God's control or that does not help to accomplish His purpose for this world
History
the study of the record of the past acts of God and man on earth from its creation to the present, based on the best surviving evidence
Paleolithic Age
time period in history when man used very simple stone tools; framework of the evolutionary worldview
Neolithic Age
the period from 10,000 BC to about 4,000 BC called the New Stone Age; framework of the evolutionary worldview
Yahweh
the only true God
Image of God
a quality posed by all humans that reflects part of God's own personality
Creation Mandate
first command from God revealing that man's reason for being is to subdue the earth and exercise dominion over it; found in Genesis 1:28
Civilization
human culture lived in cities or under their influence
Organization
a system of rules, regulations, and accountability, that governs all who take part in the functions of a city
Cities
central locations for a particular group of people where government, religion, and culture are found
Social classes
composed of people with specific functions
Specialization
an individual's focus on a specific job or skill
Written language
a form of language in addition to spoken language
Religion
a system of basic values, beliefs, and behaviors that are directed in worship toward God and lived out in community with others
Justice
a social condition in which people do right and respect the rights of others
Power
the ability to bring things under one's control
Citizenship
the status a person has within a community that gives this person certain rights, privileges, and duties
Enviroment
the physical geography in which civilizations are located
Adam
Eve's husband; sinned and broke the communion between God and man
Eve
Adam's wife; sinned and broke the communion between God and man
Seed of the serpent
humans yet to be born who would prove to have the amuse deceptive, God-defying nature that Satan evidenced one the Garden of Eden
Seed of the woman
refers primarily to Christ but also includes future humans who are United to Him in faith
Seth
son of Adam and Eve
Noah
rejected the corrupting influence of the world and "walked with God
Ham
Saw his father (Noah) in his shameful stupor and talked about him to his brothers
Shem
entered Noah's tent with his back turned and covered Ham with a garment
Japheth
entered Noah's tent with his back turned and covered Ham with a garment
Canaan
Ham's son who was cursed because of Ham
Babel
city in Shinar (probably located in southeastern Mesopotamia) that had a great tower; place where languages were born
Nation
very large group of people (usually including many cities) who have in common the same land area and the same language
Table of Nations
Genesis 10; lists the descendants of Shem, Ham, and Japheth according to the nations that arose from their families