1. History of the Term

Like the verb dokeō, its cognate noun dogma in classical Greek has a double sense: (1) from the transitive “believe, think,” it may denote a way of thinking (in philosophy, medicine, or law); (2) from the intransitive “seem good,” it may denote a resolution or edict. Thus the LXX, Philo, and Josephus use it with reference to the law, and Luke uses it both for imperial edicts (Luke 2:1; Acts 17:7; see also Heb. 11:23 var.…