Christianity

Questions tagged [soteriology]

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The study of the mechanisms by which an individual is saved.

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According to Catholics & Protestants, do good people from other religions go to heaven as well? If they do, what's the point in being a Christian?

Do Catholics & Protestants believe that God lets morally good people from other religions go to heaven? Do good people practicing Islam and Hinduism go to heaven? If they don't, then what's the ...
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How do non-universalists account for these passages talking about the salvation of all?

I hold to universalism, but am perfectly willing to change my mind on the subject. I just have never received good defeaters to the universalist passages that I present. First Corinthians 15:22 "...
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According to believers in the inexorable damnation of the unreached, why should they be punished in Hell and not be given more merciful alternatives?

Inspired by a thought-provoking comment section discussion about an answer to my previous question According to believers in the inexorable damnation of the unreached, how is God not unfair for ...
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According to believers in the inexorable damnation of the unreached, how is God not unfair for letting someone be born in unreachable conditions?

It is a fact of history that many unfortunate people have been born in conditions where it has been pretty much impossible for them to even dream of having a chance to hear the message of salvation -- ...
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What did the Early Church Fathers believe about the fate of the unreached?

Many individuals have died and continue to die without ever having heard the message of salvation. Illustrative examples of this are everyone who was born before Jesus, individuals contemporary to ...
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Why did Jesus raise people from the dead, when they would have been in heaven?

The way I understand it from the bible is that you can live well you entire life, but if you lose your faith and then you die you won't go to heaven. So I'm sure that Satan would love the ability to ...
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Would salvation have been possible if Jesus had died without shedding His blood?

Would salvation have been possible if Jesus died without shedding His blood? As far as I understand, the Bible says that the believers are saved through joining together with Christ in His death and ...
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2answers
226 views

Did Adam need to have faith for his salvation?

As ridiculous as this question may sound, I believe it has some point. Did Adam need to have faith for his salvation? If yes, what kind of faith? Definitely, he didn't need to have faith in the ...
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According to proponents of Believer's Baptism, can an infant be saved?

Proponents of Believer's Baptism argue that Baptism requires an existing faith on the part of the person being baptized, and for this reason a) reject the practice of infant baptism and b) teach that ...
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2answers
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How do those who deny baptism as a means of grace reconcile this bible verses apparently saing otherwise?

This article has a number of things to say about baptism, but particularly this: Baptism does not save a person. The Bible, however, says that "baptism, which corresponds to [the waters of the ...
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According to Latter-day Saints, what are the essential features of a true follower of Christ, and can such be found in other denominations? [duplicate]

Not much to add to the title. I would like to know the Latter-day Saints' definition of a true follower of Christ, that is to say, what features are considered by them to be essential for a person to ...
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According to Jehovah's Witnesses, what are the essential features of a true follower of Christ, and can such be found in other denominations?

Not much to add to the title. I would like to know the Jehovah's Witnesses' definition of a true follower of Christ, that is to say, what features are considered by them to be essential for a person ...
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1answer
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What is the most dangerous heresy that exists in the church today? [closed]

There are many heresies referenced in the New Testament and even more that have surfaced in the centuries since it was written. One is alluded to in the account of Simon Magus. 9Now there was a man ...
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1answer
71 views

Does the term 'lost' define a group eternally damned?

Nicely characterised by Xeno's comment; "I'm referring to those who have never accepted Christ, have not obeyed the Gospel, and are eternally lost." (my emphasis) The term 'lost' often ...
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What is the biblical basis for the term 'the lost'?

Is there a passage that denotes some group of God's creation as 'lost'? Or is it a made up term that has little foundation in the text?
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For those who believe there was no historical Adam and Eve, how does Christianity make sense?

How can Christianity make sense without a literal Adam and Eve? I have heard many Christians (particularly Catholics) try and be conciliatory with modern science by claiming that Adam and Eve were not ...
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Do any Christian denominations or groups teach about Satan's common tactics to pierce through the spiritual armor of a Christian?

In Ephesians 6:10-20, the apostle Paul teaches an important mystery: all Christians are in spiritual warfare against invisible evil forces from the kingdom of Satan. And just like soldiers have to ...
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1answer
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How is one saved? [closed]

Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. (Romans 3:28 KJV) According Paul is one justified by faith alone both in Rom 3:28 and also mentioned in Gal 2:16. ...
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How do Christians who believe in libertarian free will explain the large imbalance in the ratio of people saved vs. condemned?

In principle, the decisions made by an agent endowed with freedom of the will (in the libertarian sense) are not determined. That is, a free agent's decisions cannot be the result of a sequence of ...
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Within Anglicanism, what is the Biblical Basis for certainty that baptised infants who die will be saved?

In the Church of England Book of Common Prayer the following statement is made: It is certain by God's Word, that children which are baptized, dying before they commit actual sin, are undoubtedly ...
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Is repentance of sins possible outside the Gospel?

Does every human being, at least once in their lifetime, have a genuine chance to repent of their sins, turn away from them and start living a righteous life? If so, does this also include people who ...
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954 views

The Christian Duck Test? [closed]

If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck. There is arguably little difference between the lifestyle of the Stoic and the lifestyle of the ...
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1answer
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How do Christians discern whether they are on the narrow path that leads to life or the broad path that leads to destruction?

Matthew 7:13-14 (ESV): 13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is ...
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What is the most authentic Reformed 'ordo salutis'?

This question follows on from a comment made in the previous closed question. The Wikipedia article on the subject of ordo salutis quotes and lists the following, in the following order, as '...
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4answers
915 views

For those who don't believe baptism is required for salvation, when, scripturally, does someone die with Christ?

Paul recites as part of an early creed. 2 Timothy 2:11 ...If we have died with him, we will also live with him;... Here it seems that our living with Christ is conditioned on us having died with ...
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Are there Christian Denominations or Movements who believe that Jesus didn't actually pay our sin debt?

I was wondering if there are any prominent or otherwise named group of Christians who believe that Jesus did away with our debt by legally canceling our debt instead of actually paying for the entire ...
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How do Christians who adhere to the maxim “in essentials unity; in non-essentials liberty; and in all things charity” determine what is essential?

The phrase has been worded in different but equivalent ways. For example, the Wikipedia article titled In necessariis unitas, in dubiis libertas, in omnibus caritas says: In necessariis unitas, in ...
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How do Eternal Security adherents interpret Ezekiel 18:21-18 and 33:12-16?

Note: for better readability, the relevant parts of the quoted passages are in bold. Ezekiel 18:21-28 (ESV): 21 “But if a wicked person turns away from all his sins that he has committed and keeps ...
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1answer
175 views

Predestination and Freewill

Is predestination a Catholic doctrine? If so, how does the Catholic Church harmonise the doctrine of predestination against freewill? The Catechism of the The Catholic Church states: "Not only ...
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1answer
87 views

Did Judas play an important role for God’s salvation?

In reading the bible, we see Judas as the great enemy who betrayed our Lord Jesus. But looking in a different perspective, was his role gave benefit for the fulfilment of death and crucifixion of the ...
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Why did Jesus need to die for our sins?

I feel silly asking this because I feel like it should be obvious. Why did Jesus need to die for our sins? I am asking because this part of Christianity still confuses me. I thought Judaism taught ...
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2answers
232 views

If Christ Has Been Given All Authority Why Does He Need to Make Intercession For Us?

The bible tells us both that Jesus has been given all authority but he also is ever making intercession for us with God the Father. Has there ever been any theological explanation by anyone on why ...
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1answer
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Theologians who thought Christ incarnated primarily to reveal the doctrine of the Trinity?

Are there any theologians (Doctors or Fathers of the Church) who thought that, regardless whether Adam had sinned, Christ still would have incarnated, primarily to reveal the doctrine of the Trinity?
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What is the biblical basis for the doctrine that salvation cannot be lost? [duplicate]

Not much to add to the title. How do Christians who advocate the "once saved, always saved" doctrine back it up with Scripture? How do they commonly defend their interpretations against ...
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1answer
98 views

According to Biblical Unitarianism does belief in the Trinity disqualify one from salvation?

According to Biblical Unitarianism does belief in the Trinity disqualify one from salvation? *Note: this is not asking whether non-trinitarianism is true or whether a trinitarian baptism is valid but ...
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3answers
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Are there souls in hell who contributed to other soul's salvation?

This question is from a Catholic perspective. Is there any writings or some teaching whether a person who highly contribute to someone else's salvation could in fact end up in hell if abandon faith at ...
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1answer
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Which places in the Bible have been suggested in Christianity as a basis for the possibility that some of humans before Christ could be saved? [duplicate]

Which places in the Bible have been suggested in Christianity as a possible basis for the possibility that some of humans who were not Jews and lived before Christ still could be saved? The wiki page ...
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According to Protestantism, are we saved by faith into a repentance of law-following?

Just have a question regarding faith and works: A person has eternal life solely by faith in Jesus Christ (as in believing every word Jesus said, including his claims that he is God), but by believing ...
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Can People Who Aren't Saved, Heal in Jesus’ Name?

For backstory, I've recently been looking for confirmation that I'm really saved. I've started to repent of all my sins (that I know of) about 1-2 weeks ago. I've pretty sure I've been saved since I ...
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2answers
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Do Baptists teach that baptism by full water immersion is essential to salvation

My understanding is that Baptists and Jehovah’s Witnesses reject infant baptism and advocate full water immersion of adults who fully understand what they are doing and what baptism means. Believer's ...
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Can someone be saved if they willingly live in sin? [closed]

For example, if somebody says, "Since God forgives sins, why not live a sinful life? Then when I'm dying in my bed, I'll just ask him to forgive me for my sins." How should I respond to that ...
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What is an overview of Christian viewpoints on the eternal destiny of individuals who die never hearing the Gospel?

Many individuals die never having heard the Gospel. Some illustrative examples are: pretty much everyone who was born before Jesus, individuals contemporary to Jesus but who were too far away at the ...
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1answer
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Was Apollos ever baptized in the name of Jesus?

Regarding Apollos, the Bible states: Acts 18:25 (ESV Strong's) 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning ...
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How does Catholicism biblically defend purgatory in a way that upholds the sufficiency of Christ's work?

Below is a quote from an answer to this question "What is the basis of the teaching that souls in purgatory can intercede for the living?: The (Catholic) Church refers to the souls in purgatory ...
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Why is the sacrifice of Jesus needed for the atonement of sins? [duplicate]

Christianity teaches that Jesus was crucified in order that ours sins be forgiven, and without this sacrifice then atonement could not be attained. Why did Jesus have to die for our sins in order for ...
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What is the difference between Arminianism, Molinism, and Calvinism?

I know the basic difference between Arminianism and Calvinism in the soteriology subject, but when Molinism comes I can't grasp the core doctrines that it teaches. I'm not asking for which is better, ...
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Just what does Infant Baptism accomplish as regards Original Sin?

The answer to this question indicates that the human soul is created by God, and without any lack of saving grace, at the precise instant that the soul is infused into the newly propagated human body. ...
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1answer
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Christ 'made' sin - the Reformed, Protestant view?

Following on from both of the two recent questions regarding the inheritance or transmission of 'original' or 'inbred' sin, from generation to generation, I am interested in the Trinitarian, ...
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2answers
472 views

On what basis was Jesus’ death sufficient for redemption according Non-Trinitarians who maintain that Jesus was not eternal God as God the Father is?

To Peter Turner’s point A) Scripture is the source that says blood was necessary and that blood was sufficient, question revolves around why a Non-Trinitarian Jesus has sufficient worth to save ...
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Do different Christian denominations think each other will be saved?

There're lots of Christian denominations out there. I'm wondering if each of them have an official answer to "if the Second Coming were today, believers of [other denomination] will/will not be saved"....

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