the study of the mechanisms by which an individual is saved
7
votes
1answer
105 views
When did the teaching that salvation can still be obtained by people after their physical death first appear in the Christianity?
Since the time canon was formed, when did the teaching that salvation can still be obtained by people after their physical death first appear in Christianity?
7
votes
1answer
176 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 ...
6
votes
6answers
437 views
Giving to the church or giving to the poor?
Which does God prefer most, giving to the church or giving to the poor?
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 ...
6
votes
2answers
238 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
3answers
231 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,
...
6
votes
2answers
179 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?
6
votes
5answers
259 views
Is it possible to achieve a life without sin on earth?
Based on the biblical doctrines, is it possible to achieve a completely holy life without any sin during our lifetime after salvation?
6
votes
2answers
108 views
Who goes to heaven?
Jesus was to have said in Matthew 5:20:
For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
...
6
votes
2answers
113 views
What must one do in order to lose his or her salvation?
Some Christian traditions believe that one can lose his or her salvation, even after a genuine conversion experience and years of faithfulness.
For those who teach this doctrine:
what ...
6
votes
2answers
107 views
Was eternal life promised by the Mosaic Law?
John 3:16 (NIV) 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and
only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have
eternal life.
The New Testament clearly tells us how ...
6
votes
2answers
161 views
Was Billy Sunday the first evangelist to equate the “altar call” with salvation?
According to this article from the The Society for Effective Evangelism:
Up until Billy Sunday, altar calls were invitations for seekers to come to an after-meeting or inquiry room where ...
6
votes
2answers
455 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 ...
6
votes
3answers
242 views
What is the Biblical basis against the Calvinist doctrine of Irresistible Grace?
The question of what the Biblical basis is in favor of Irresistible Grace has been asked here. However, the question regarding the Biblical argument against it does not seem to have been addressed ...
5
votes
2answers
175 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?
5
votes
3answers
220 views
Do Christians Regard Speaking in Tongues as Necessary?
I have heard that some Christians consider it the only sure sign of having received the Holy Spirit, which would seem quite important.
If not generally, which groups hold to this belief, and in what ...
5
votes
4answers
753 views
Should we pray for someone's salvation?
Today a Pastor on a local TV (in India) was preaching that we need not pray for someone's salvation. Salvation is something that belongs to God and His Plans. He also said that nowhere in the New ...
5
votes
2answers
227 views
Could Jesus save Satan? [closed]
Could Jesus save Satan?
Some biblical reference with explanation, would be helpful.
5
votes
4answers
147 views
From whom does faith come?
I've heard both of these claims, and they seem to have irreconcilable differences:
God does his part (the call/invitation), now you do yours (respond in faith)
God not only gave his son for you, but ...
5
votes
1answer
61 views
What does work out your salvation mean?
Philippians 2:12
"Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling".
Does ...
5
votes
3answers
370 views
Did Jesus need to die, or would mere shedding of blood have been sufficient?
Originally: St. Thomas Aquinas on salvation by a drop of Christ's Blood
I heard on Relevant Radio a year or so ago something perplexing, I think it was a priest saying it, but it may have been a ...
5
votes
4answers
418 views
Did Adam and Eve end up getting saved?
After answering a recent question, it occurred to me to ask: Is there any biblical evidence regarding whether Adam and Eve have been redeemed in some fashion (and are thus going to Heaven/the New ...
5
votes
2answers
135 views
Expectation of salvation for the poorly catechized
The Catholic Church teaches in the Catechism on Baptism that there are several types of Baptism, one of which is for those fellow eternal-soul-endowed humans who have never heard of Christ.
But, ...
5
votes
1answer
88 views
What is Lordship Salvation?
I have heard the term "Lordship Salvation" several times now, including in an answer I read recently.
Can anyone explain to me what this is?
Is this the official position of any major churches?
Is ...
5
votes
3answers
134 views
Salvation vs Condemnation: Matthew 12
Matthew 12 ESV
A Tree Is Known by Its Fruit
33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree
bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. 34 You
brood of ...
5
votes
1answer
61 views
What is the SBC's stance on what/how salvation is/works?
What is the Southern Baptist Convention's stance on what salvation is and how it works?
Is there an official doctrine?
Is it challenged by prominent members?
4
votes
3answers
195 views
What happens with a soul after one's death according to Eastern Orthodox doctrine?
Inspired by this question and answers for it: what happens with a soul after one's death according to Eastern Orthodox doctrine? I'm interested in all variants.
4
votes
3answers
246 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
2answers
482 views
How does Jesus fulfill the Protoevangelium (First Gospel) in Genesis 3:15?
In the judgment of the serpent in Genesis 3:15, God says the following:
The Lord God said to the serpent, Because you have done this, cursed
are you above all livestock and above all beasts of ...
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 ...
4
votes
3answers
241 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 ...
4
votes
3answers
107 views
Is Salvation a State Function?
Does the salvation of a believer depend on the present state of her faith or are the different life transitions taken into account?
Suppose a believer leads a life of faith in Christ. At the end of ...
4
votes
1answer
123 views
How does Reformed theology interpret 1 Corinthians 9:27
This questions is aimed at those Christians who frequently refer to living people as "saved" or "unsaved", and especially to those who believe that someone saved can't become "unsaved" later.
At least ...
4
votes
2answers
124 views
What is the nature of eternal security?
@JonEricson made a statement in this answer that is fascinating to me:
In other words, we aren't secure in our salvation because of the nature of salvation, but because of the nature of Jesus.
...
4
votes
2answers
223 views
What is the scriptural basis for the idea that salvation can still be obtained after death?
What is the basis in the Scripture for the doctrine that those who haven't received salvation during their physical life, especially those who heard of Christ and yet chose not to pray to Him, will ...
4
votes
1answer
248 views
Nature of salvation in the Old Testament [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Who saved people before ~33AD?
(This question I address to those Christians who believe that salvation once acquired cannot be lost. I am specifically after the answer ...
4
votes
1answer
86 views
Has the matter of salvation - whether it is by works or by faith alone - ever been considered on any councils of the Catholic and Orthodox churches?
Prior to Luther's Reformation, has the matter of salvation - whether it is by works or by faith alone - ever been considered on any councils of the Catholic and Orthodox churches?
4
votes
1answer
144 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 ...
4
votes
3answers
88 views
What is the biblical basis for the doctrine of Eternal Security?
The Doctrine of Eternal Security teaches that once a person truly experience salvation, that person's eternal destiny of eternal life is immutable.
What is the biblical basis or biblically-based ...
3
votes
4answers
529 views
When is it too late to ask for salvation?
In protestant teachings or directly from the bible, when is it too late to ask for salvation? There are many death bed conversion stories. The most momentous conversion in Western history was that ...
3
votes
3answers
282 views
In what sense do Mormons believe salvation is only through Christ?
As background to my question, I found this statement by a Mormon that shows Mormons believe that there are many gods in the universe:
“While we believe that there are other gods out there, they ...
3
votes
3answers
267 views
Martin Luther's Sacramentology
I was reading Luther's Larger Catechism, and I came upon the section where he discusses the sacraments. I must confess, as a Baptist with a profound respect for Luther, some of these concepts are very ...
3
votes
2answers
96 views
Must one believe that there is only one True and Living God to be saved?
Must one believe that there is only one True and Living God to be saved? Obviously the scripture states in various places that God is one (Deut 6:4, Isaiah 45:5), and I do believe this and I am fully ...
3
votes
1answer
88 views
If God cannot change, then why does His wrath need to be appeased?
More or less I am asking for a defense of the propitiatory view of atonement in which God changes from being angry to being happy with us rather than sinners being the ones who need to change. Perhaps ...
3
votes
2answers
184 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, ...
3
votes
1answer
151 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 ...
3
votes
2answers
228 views
Were Annanias and Saphira guilty of the “unforgiveable” sin?
In Acts 5 we are presented with the account of Annanias and Saphira.
Summary
they sold a piece of property, and then determined to lie to the Apostles and the Holy Spirit about its value, and give ...
3
votes
3answers
137 views
What is the biblical basis for the doctrine of the loss of salvation?
In contrast to the doctrine of Eternal Security, many denominations believe that a person can, in fact, lose his or her salvation.
So, what is the biblical basis or biblical argument for the doctrine ...
3
votes
2answers
142 views
According to Reformed Theology, What is the greatest assurance of Salvation?
Context
Matthew 7:21-23
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in ...
3
votes
1answer
63 views
What are the soteriological implications of Arianism?
A friend recently made the following statement regarding the heresy of Arianism:
The conflict was about the nature of Christ before the Creation of the Universe. It was a ...
