the study of the mechanisms by which an individual is saved
15
votes
8answers
337 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
3answers
85 views
Is it necessary to be a Christian to be saved? [duplicate]
Is it necessary to have a Christian faith to be saved and not go to hell?
Is it possible for a Muslim to go to heaven?
Or do the bible specifically say that they are all going to hell (Muslims, ...
36
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 ...
2
votes
0answers
80 views
If God is a God of love, why does God not make all souls in hell cease to exist? [closed]
If God is omnipotent, and a God of love, why does God not make all souls in hell cease to exist, and did it ever happen? Also, wouldn't a loving God end their suffering? Thank you for your answers.
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.
...
-1
votes
0answers
48 views
Will a person with no knowledge of God/Jesus/Christianity be saved? [duplicate]
If a person was unable to have any any information about the bible, the story of Christ and because of reasons like, living in a tribe or any reason that didn't gave him any chance to learn about ...
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 ...
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.
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 ...
1
vote
2answers
99 views
What verses from the Bible claim that Jesus has justified and redeemed man by his sacrifice on a cross?
What verses from the Bible claim that Jesus has justified and redeemed man by his sacrifice on a cross?
10
votes
6answers
674 views
Are there any Christian denominations that don't believe Jesus is the only way to salvation?
While answering another question, I made a statement that I thought was universal in Christianity:
Jesus is the only route to heaven; without him, you go to hell.
Are there Christian ...
11
votes
3answers
865 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 ...
2
votes
4answers
228 views
Christian Position on the meaning of Faith
We are told, 'The just (upright) shall live by faith.' So I have a question for the Christians here. How do you understand faith? This does not have to be strictly biblical (since the scripture does ...
7
votes
3answers
221 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?
5
votes
4answers
148 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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
16
votes
6answers
872 views
Can a Christian walk away from his or her salvation?
There is a plethora of verses that say that people can not cause a saved Christian to lose his salvation, such as
John 10:29 (NLT)
29 for my Father has given them to me, and he is ...
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 ...
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 ...
2
votes
2answers
115 views
Does a Christian who commits sins against Christian doctrine and commandments still remain Christian? [duplicate]
What is the position of the Christian denominations about whether a person who commits sins and lives un-Christian lifestyle, yet believes he is Christian, still remains Christian?
This question is ...
7
votes
2answers
108 views
How do the proponents of the idea that salvation once received cannot be lost explain Hebrews 6:4-6 and 10:26-29?
How do the proponents of the idea that salvation once received cannot be lost explain the following verses:
Hebrews 6:4-6:
For [it is] impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have
...
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 ...
-1
votes
1answer
156 views
How to be saved after adultery? [closed]
Suppose one robs a bank and with the proceeds he is able to buy luxury cars, yachts, mansions. The thief lives enjoying all these things and one day he wants to convert to Christianity and wants to be ...
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 ...
10
votes
5answers
365 views
What is the point of Jesus' crucifixion?
I'd like to obtain moral, not faith explanation - In the story about Jesus' crucifixion: what is the point of cold-blooded murder of God's own son?
The common answer is to save humanity through ...
9
votes
3answers
2k views
What does it mean to be an heir of God and a joint-heir with Christ?
Romans 8:16-17
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be ...
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 ...
16
votes
6answers
1k views
What happens to unborn, unbaptized babies who die?
If we accept that unborn babies are human beings and not merely a non-human organism, and further we require baptism as a prerequisite for salvation (using it as justification for infant baptism)...
...
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
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 ...
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
3answers
243 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 ...
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
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 ...
8
votes
4answers
349 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 ...
24
votes
9answers
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 ...
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, ...
7
votes
2answers
263 views
What is the Plan of Salvation in LDS theology?
I know it's different than most Christian faiths' beliefs, and I know the missionaries teach it... I know it's a big part of Mormon curriculum and doctrine, and this site is replete with questions ...
12
votes
7answers
469 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 ...
10
votes
1answer
327 views
Are there Old Testament Scriptures that mention salvation for the Gentiles?
I'm wondering if there are any passages/prophecies about salvation for the Gentile world in the Old Testament. If you know any, please share.
13
votes
7answers
320 views
Why are some people born into famine and starvation?
I was raised Christadelphian, and after 17 years of education and reading the bible, I dismissed my faith and left the church. One of my main reasons for turning my back on God was this.
Why is it ...
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?
13
votes
1answer
184 views
What are the primary differences and implications of a propitiatory view of the atonement versus an expiatory view?
Western theology tends to view atonement as propitiation, while Eastern tends to view it as expiation. What are the primary differences and implications of each perspective? Are they antithetical or ...
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?
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
1answer
112 views
Did most of the people that Jesus heal believe he was God? If so, why does the Bible not record them asking for salvation?
1) Most of the people that Jesus healed — did they believe Jesus was God?
2) If so, why did they ask for temporary things (let me walk; let me see; get rid of my diseases; heal my son/daughter) ...
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 ...
1
vote
4answers
212 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 ...
6
votes
5answers
260 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?
