the study of the mechanisms by which an individual is saved
14
votes
8answers
311 views
The Grace Gambit
You might be familiar with Pascal's Wager, also known as Pascal's Gambit. It states that one is best off believing in Christianity, because, if it is true, you'll be saved and go to heaven, and if it ...
2
votes
1answer
207 views
Is Galatians 6:8-9 teaching works salvation?
My understanding of the relationship between works and salvation is that works are the inevitable fruit of salvation by grace (1 John 3:6, Matthew 7:16-18). And my understanding of perseverance is ...
7
votes
2answers
213 views
What was Augustine's soteriology?
Can someone provide a summary of Augustine's soteriological views, and their differences from contemporary views?
I'm particularly interested in a comparison of Augustine's soteriology with the ...
8
votes
4answers
316 views
What is saving faith?
A common soteriological view among Evangelical Christians (such as myself) is that we are saved by grace, through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). However, this belief is usually accompanied by a ...
10
votes
4answers
695 views
How does the Passover foreshadow the coming of Jesus as the Messiah?
In 1 Corinthians 5:7, Paul refers to Jesus as "Christ, our Passover", suggesting that the Passover of Exodus somehow foreshadowed the life of Jesus.
How specifically does the Passover do this?
...
6
votes
3answers
223 views
Do parts of Hebrews 3 and 4 imply that saved Christians can become unsaved?
A few nights ago, a friend and I were reading through Hebrews 3 and 4. A few verses in particular caught my attention...
Hebrews 3:11-13 (NLT)
11 So in my anger I took an oath,
...
3
votes
2answers
178 views
What is the biblical basis against Sola Fide (salvation by faith alone, apart from works)
One of the key points of the Reformation was the doctrine of Sola Fide, that salvation is by faith alone, apart from works. This was a contrast from the doctrine of the Catholic church.
What, then, ...
1
vote
4answers
211 views
What are the “correct” steps for a layman to be a Christian? [closed]
Assume that I am a layman without knowledge other than science-related ones. How should I do to be a Christian in a correct way?
In more strict words, what are the "correct" steps or algorithm to be ...
7
votes
1answer
166 views
What was Martin Luther King, Jr.'s understanding of salvation?
I've been reading A Testament of Hope which is a compilation of sermons by the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. I also know he's a Baptist. (I even got to stand and preach for a minute in his pulpit last ...
3
votes
1answer
139 views
Important Western Soteriological Works
Does anyone know what works are considered to be principal elements of Western soteriological thought, primarily focused on Roman Catholic and Protestant ideologies?
I'm interested mostly in primary ...
4
votes
1answer
143 views
Are there any common themes in the dreams so many Muslims have that prompt them to come to Jesus?
I understand that a good number of believers, who were once Muslim, became Christians after having a dream where Jesus appears to them and tells them to follow Him.
Examples are recorded in books ...
6
votes
2answers
237 views
What roles do faith and works play in the LDS/Mormon understanding of salvation?
A primary point in the Reformation was the issue of sola fide--the position that salvation is by faith alone, apart from works. This was to distinguish the position that works were necessary for ...
6
votes
6answers
428 views
Giving to the church or giving to the poor?
Which does God prefer most, giving to the church or giving to the poor?
2
votes
3answers
115 views
How does Christ define a Christian?
Referencing the gospel accounts of Christ's actions and teachings, how does He clearly define a Christian?
2
votes
2answers
174 views
What is the hope in Roman Catholicism?
I'm coming at this from the evangelical reform side of salvation. For the evangelical, salvation is made for us by Jesus on the cross. There is nothing else we can add to make us more saved, or less ...
6
votes
2answers
394 views
What is the Biblical basis for multiple judgments?
I recently heard a talk on the notion of "multiple judgments"; the idea is one is initially judged simply on the fact of their salvation - did that person put their life in Christ's hands and accept ...
9
votes
6answers
176 views
Could more miraculous works bring more persons to faith?
There are those who say that if they saw the miracles that happens in the time of Moses, or the disciples they would surely have faith.
What are the Biblical reasons for miracle? Is it to create ...
7
votes
3answers
207 views
Is belief a work into salvation?
Is the placing of one's faith in Christ for salvation, a work? - Can I produce faith on my own?
How does the Bible answer that question?
0
votes
1answer
109 views
How much realization of one's own sinfulness is needed for a person to be saved? [closed]
I have met some Christians who seemed to put a lot of emphasis on their realization of how sinful they were. Others, however, didn't seem to be stressing this point that much.
Honestly, in my ...
3
votes
3answers
231 views
Are there any tenets of Gnosticism that are still present in the church today?
Towards the end of the New Testament writing, the heresy of gnosticism was one of the chief "false teachings" against which Paul and the other writers were contesting. Could someone present some of ...
4
votes
3answers
235 views
Does my monk go to heaven? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
What happens to people who have never heard about Jesus?
I have found this very basic question perplexing to different pastors, rectors, and members of churches: If ...
6
votes
2answers
170 views
What is the biblical basis against baptismal regeneration?
Several different denominations teach that water baptism is a prerequisite for (or is essential for) salvation. What is the biblical basis against this teaching?
5
votes
2answers
212 views
Could Jesus save Satan? [closed]
Could Jesus save Satan?
Some biblical reference with explanation, would be helpful.
12
votes
5answers
499 views
How is love greater than faith?
1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV)
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Sola-fide states that faith alone brings salvation. In this oft-quoted ...
10
votes
1answer
235 views
What does the Roman Catholic church teach about those who die having never heard of Christ?
What does the Roman Catholic church teach about those who die having never heard of Christ? Is there any possibility of salvation for them?
Related:
What happens to people who have never heard about ...
14
votes
5answers
742 views
Praying for someone's salvation. Is there a point?
According to I Timothy 2:4 (NIV), God "...wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth".
But since we have free will, God cannot make us choose to accept the salvation that is ...
12
votes
7answers
441 views
Is there a significant difference between salvation by faith with works and salvation by faith and works?
I used to think that sola fide meant salvation by faith irrespective of works. Then I started reading about it and realized it means salvation by faith with works.
Works are necessary for ...
8
votes
3answers
369 views
Are the names of all people originally written in the Book of Life?
The Bible speaks about the "Book of Life". It seems that those whose names are written in it will have life and spend eternity in heaven whereas those whose names are not written in it will be cast ...
10
votes
2answers
169 views
Calvinist perspective on Luke 18:18-30
Luke 18:18-30 (NIV) tells the story of the "rich young ruler" who asked Christ what he must do to inherit eternal life:
18A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit ...
7
votes
1answer
183 views
Were there provisions for salvation for non-Hebrews in the OT?
One of the significant points of Jesus ministry and the evangelism done by the early apostles seems to be their going to "gentile" nations and preaching that they too were recipients of God's plan of ...
2
votes
0answers
54 views
What about those who lived before Christ long outside the reach of Israel? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicates:
What happens to people who have never heard about Jesus?
Who saved people before ~33AD?
Do I get a second chance to believe in Jesus after I die?
Were there provisions ...
11
votes
3answers
783 views
Did Satan really not understand God's salvation plan?
I've always been told that when Jesus died on the cross, he ultimately defeated Satan and won victory over death. Satan was not aware of the secret plan and thought that he had defeated Jesus until ...
4
votes
4answers
156 views
Is prayer to Jesus required for salvation?
According to the Bible, will those who have heard about Jesus (and, perhaps, even believed that Jesus existed or that he had a special role) and yet have never prayed directly to Him (i.e. never ...
5
votes
2answers
173 views
Is the biblical idea of being “born again” compatible with eastern religious ideas of reincarnation?
Just a simple question: is the biblical idea of being born again compatible with eastern religious ideas of reincarnation?
2
votes
1answer
100 views
Once a believer, always a believer? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Once saved always saved. Is eternal security Biblical?
Recently, I had a conversation with a (new) friend that started off with him telling me how he had been a devout ...
8
votes
3answers
362 views
How does the Arminian view of salvation account for God's sovereignty?
The Arminian view of salvation posits that man has free will and the choice to accept salvation is purely on our own free will.
The total sovereignty of God (while disputed in some theological ...
6
votes
3answers
173 views
Where does God draw the line when it comes to Sin?
So I've read 1 John alot and I understand that I cannot continue to sin if I want to be a child of God's.
1 John 1:6 (NIV)
6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the
...
12
votes
2answers
1k views
What happens to non-believers or believers of other religions after death?
What happens (according to Christians) to people who specificially rejected the idea of God, the Bible and the christian teachings after they die?
Is there a difference to people who believed in ...
12
votes
4answers
184 views
Is righteousness a prerequisite for salvation?
James 2:24 NIV
24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
In James we are told that a person would be considered righteous by their deeds and not ...
7
votes
4answers
203 views
What must Man do to receive Eternal Life?
I don't think that any Christian would disagree that Jesus Christ is the only way to God and to your inheritance. But what is man's responsibility? That's what this question is addressing.
What do I ...
12
votes
4answers
452 views
Since God provided for the forgiveness of sins in the Old Testament, why do we need Jesus?
I thought of this when I was researching this question.
Leviticus 4 goes into great detail about the sacrifice that must be made in order for a sin to be forgiven. However, we see here that God ...
13
votes
3answers
188 views
When did knowledge of Christ's sacrifice become necessary for salvation?
First, this question makes two assumptions:
For a person to be saved today, they must hear the gospel of Jesus Christ, and accept the gift of His death on the cross as penance for their sin.
Before ...
12
votes
1answer
243 views
What is the difference between the doctrines of “Perseverance of the Saints” and “Eternal Security?”
The terms "Perseverance of the Saints," "Eternal Security," and the phrase "once saved, always saved" are a bit fuzzy in my head. I understand the general concept behind them, but what are the ...
24
votes
6answers
368 views
Is the “sinner's prayer” important for salvation and why?
In evangelical churches the sinner's prayer is a very much emphasized aspect for someone to become or convert to being a Christian. In fact, most church services I attended growing up ended with the ...
0
votes
1answer
103 views
Does this verse squash “once saved, always saved?” [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Once saved always saved. Is eternal security Biblical?
Hebrews 6:4-6 (NKJV)
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have
tasted the ...
12
votes
7answers
744 views
If we are saved by grace, then why does Jesus say we must be baptized in both spirit and water?
Ephesians 2:4-9 says:
But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He
loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive
together with Christ (by grace ...
6
votes
5answers
236 views
Was Jesus' death legitimate?
Legitimate, not in the fact that He died, but in how specifically his blood was shed. It is said that Jesus' death was the final fulfillment of the old testament requirements. If this is true, then ...
11
votes
3answers
303 views
Can angels be saved?
We know from the Bible that devils are fallen angels, once created good but who chose to join Lucifer's rebel uprising and consequently lost their place in heaven.
Can those angels ever be saved? Can ...
35
votes
9answers
1k views
Who saved people before ~33AD?
The exact date isn't important but at some point about 2000 years ago Christ died on a cross. Since that point Christians everywhere have put their faith in Him. He claimed to be the Way, the Truth ...
23
votes
10answers
2k views
Can an atheist go to heaven?
The question of who goes to heaven and who to hell seems to result in very different answers depending on which tradition the Christian answering belongs to. Some traditions, especially evangelical ...
