the study of the mechanisms by which an individual is saved
4
votes
1answer
75 views
What does “the Lord opened her heart” (Acts 16:14) mean, according to Calvinists?
Acts 16:13 (NIV)
On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there.
I ...
5
votes
7answers
273 views
Immaculate Conception - Why was it NECESSARY for our Salvation?
According to many Catholic apologists, like Dr. Robert Sungenis, the dogma of the immaculate conception of Mary is not simply binding because it is a divinely revealed dogma, but according to them it ...
4
votes
0answers
65 views
Who are the “extreme Anabaptists” who believed that regeneration makes people incapable of sin?
While reading Louis Berkhof's Systematic Theology, I noticed an interesting tidbit about the beliefs of "extreme Anabaptists" on regeneration. He argues:
[Regeneration is not] a complete or ...
7
votes
3answers
232 views
Calvinism: Does God force people to be saved?
Calvinists often object to the criticism that their doctrine teaches that God forces men to be saved against their will. From what I've read, Calvinism teaches that God changes a man's nature and ...
4
votes
1answer
245 views
Where did Augustine say “It is certain that few are saved”?
I've noticed on several sites Augustine is quoted as having said "It is certain that few are saved." Does anybody know the source? I find the quote curious because he ascribes certainty to his ...
1
vote
3answers
153 views
Is belief in the suspension or replacement of any of the previous covenants necessary for salvation today?
Is belief in the suspension or replacement of any of the previous covenants necessary for salvation today?
To those who wants a longer wording: Is belief in the suspension or replacement of any of ...
3
votes
1answer
270 views
Calvinism: Dealing with paradoxes
In a video entitled "John MacArthur: Calvinism vs. Arminianism", Todd Friel of Wretched gives a short introduction before showing a clip of John MacArthur at some event several years ago, allegedly ...
1
vote
1answer
152 views
What is the biblical basis for Christians quitting their jobs?
Recently upon travelling from university I came across a fairly new Christian sect called Jesus Christians.
They were handing out DVD's which had a QR code linking to a Youtube channel called A Voice ...
1
vote
1answer
97 views
How do Calvinists argue that limited atonement is just and merciful?
Why is it just or merciful that God predetermines who is to be saved and who is to be damned, before they are even born? Does that not mean a murderer may be saved and a charity worker damned?
-1
votes
1answer
126 views
How is the atonement sufficient for salvation according to Calvinists?
Because there is not a single verse in the Bible that explicitly states that Christ laid down his life only for believers (the elect), Calvinists typically defend their doctrine of limited atonement ...
2
votes
1answer
96 views
What is the Protestant interpretation of Philippians 3:12?
Protestantism generally teaches that salvation is by faith alone, through grace.
Paul seem to make a case for this in Philippians 3:9:
and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own ...
3
votes
2answers
136 views
According to Calvinism, if Catholicism might lead to salvation, why to remain a Calvinist? (Henry IV story)
In his 1786 book, "The History of Heresies and Their Refutation", (saint) Alphonsus Liguiri wrote:
I think the danger of eternal perdition, by dying separated from the Church, should be a ...
1
vote
2answers
147 views
Looking for an apologetic to the “Cosmic Child Abuse” objection
Recently during a discussion I got smacked with the "Cosmic Child Abuse" argument. I had heard of it before, but never really had to wrestle with it in real life. I discovered that I don't actually ...
-1
votes
1answer
96 views
From a Dogmatic Catholic perspective, what is the eternal destination of an unbaptized embryo?
This dogmatic statement from the Council of Trent makes it Crystal Clear that we inherit sin from Adam.
If any one asserts, that the prevarication of Adam injured himself alone, and not his ...
0
votes
0answers
50 views
Do Protestants go to heaven? [duplicate]
According to the Roman Catholic Church, do Protestants go to heaven? Ideally I would like quotes from official sources on the matter.
2
votes
2answers
105 views
Did Abraham have faith in the future coming of Christ?
R.C. Sproul's book on Romans, Chapter 10, page 106.
"When Paul speaks of Abraham's justification as being by faith, that is shorthand for saying that Abraham was justified by the righteousness of ...
4
votes
3answers
194 views
What are Jehovah's Witnesses beliefs on how those who died before Jesus, or before JWs existed, will gain salvation?
Christian denominations have different beliefs about how those who died before Jesus existed, or before their denomination existed, can gain salvation.
For example, some denominations believe that ...
2
votes
1answer
148 views
According to Catholicism, if someone receives last rites, is everything forgiven?
So you've killed dozens of people, cheated on wife, destroyed families blah blah. Then before dying the priest administers you the last rites. Is everything forgiven? Will you go to heaven because you ...
-2
votes
1answer
126 views
Who does John 6:40 refer to according to Reformed theology? [closed]
For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.
—John 6:40 NIV (emphasis mine)
Does the bold ...
8
votes
4answers
311 views
Is the choice, or decision, to accept Salvation through Jesus Christ a Work?
While reviewing the superb answers to this question about free will, I was inspired to leave a comment for Ian that I realized ought to be its own question.
As I understand (and possibly ...
1
vote
1answer
169 views
Understanding Zechariah's prophecy in Luke 1 as a Protestant, Evangelical Dispensationalist believer
In Luke 1:68–69, Zechariah says under the influence of the Holy Spirit:
“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for he has visited and redeemed his people
and has raised up a horn of salvation ...
3
votes
1answer
87 views
How do Calvinists understand “anyone” in 2 Peter 3:9?
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand
slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to
perish, but everyone to come to repentance
From a ...
2
votes
2answers
105 views
Refute perceived differences in the Gospel between Peter and Paul from Sola Scriptura perspective [closed]
What is the biblical evidence in keeping with the Protestant, Sola Scriptura perspective, for refuting a claim that Paul's gospel differed from Peter's gospel?
I see in Scripture:
2 Peter 1:1-2
...
2
votes
0answers
198 views
In what sense do Presbyterians consider Christ's sacrifice “perfect”?
This question concerns in part the following quote heard regularly by Presbyterian Pastors:
“Catholics deny the sufficiency of Christ’s redemptive work on the cross and by doing so, forfeit their ...
4
votes
1answer
83 views
What is the/any Arminian/Catholic interpretation of Hebrews 10:14?
Hebrews 10:14 reads:
For by one offering he has perfected for all time those who are being
sanctified.
How do Christians who believe that salvation can be lost interpret this verse? I hear ...
2
votes
1answer
116 views
In which writings does Tertullian apply the concept of satisfaction to salvation?
Everett Ferguson, in Church History, I.21.IV, cites Tertullian (d. ~240) as a proto-satisfaction theory of atonement thinker:
The sacrificial or satisfaction theory had an initial statement by ...
2
votes
2answers
68 views
Is the Promise of Regeneration Enunciated in the Old Testament?
Regeneration of the human spirit is a cornerstone doctrine of the New Testament, taught in Jesus’ famous ‘born again’ discourse with Nicodemus. (John 3) Likewise, St. Paul explains our restoration in ...
8
votes
1answer
275 views
Salvation for Protestants who knowingly reject Catholicism? [duplicate]
Is there salvation for Protestants who have researched, prayed, and ultimately rejected Catholic teachings?
Explanation: I am a Protestant aligning most closely with Baptists. I am engaged to a ...
8
votes
4answers
283 views
What is the biblical basis for the belief that Jesus' death made satisfaction for individual sins?
Among evangelical Protestants, especially, but also in various other quarters of Christianity, it is common to believe that "Jesus died for me" in the sense that Jesus' death made satisfaction for (in ...
4
votes
1answer
252 views
How can 1 Corinthians 15:3 be reconciled with Calvinism and limited atonement?
I have been studying the 5 Points of Calvinism (TULIP) for some time and I can say that I accept 4 out of 5.
My biggest problem with Calvinism is the doctrine of Limited Atonement that says Jesus ...
6
votes
1answer
251 views
Was St. John Chrysostom Pelagian?
In this answer about Pelagianism (Did Pelagius believe in "faith alone"?) the author makes a sort of apology for Pelagianism and claims that St. John Chrysostom was Pelagian himself. The ...
2
votes
1answer
130 views
According to Calvinists, is each person “dead in sin” at birth, or only after committing a sin?
First I thought that there is no difference between OS (Original Sin) and TD (Total Depravity) in the Calvinist pov.
This is what I first thought : (OS = TD)
Cain/Abel/Seth (and their next ...
3
votes
0answers
58 views
Was the Second Council of Quierzy (853) controlled by Hincmar against the Augustinians?
In a lecture, Reformed theologian and church historian Douglas Kelly says:
Hincmar controlled a council – it was not a really representative council. He stacked it. […] The semi-Augustinian, proto-...
5
votes
1answer
202 views
Purgatory for those who are saved outside The Church
The Catholic Church teaches (Biblically) that some might be saved outside the Catholic Church.
This question relates to those, for example a non-denominational Christian that lives his life ...
5
votes
1answer
210 views
What, exactly, happened to the good thief on the cross, and why? (Catholic perspective)
Jesus says to the thief on the cross "today you will be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43). What does this mean? Did the thief go straight to heaven when he died? Did he get to skip purgatory? If so, ...
2
votes
1answer
199 views
What did John Wycliffe teach about the fate of infants who die?
I saw a movie of John Wycliffe's life, and it portrayed him as disagreeing that those dying in infancy go to hell. Instead, he cited David's belief of seeing again his dead infant son as proof that ...
4
votes
1answer
698 views
According to the Catholic Church, do conjoined twins have two souls?
Do conjoined twins have two souls or one? The Catholic position would be useful to know.
4
votes
1answer
218 views
Do Lutherans believe that the sacraments are necessary for salvation (similar to Catholics), and if so, how do they reconcile this with Sola Fide?
During my internet adventures browsing theological articles and blogs, I somehow picked up the idea that in a similar way to Catholics, Lutherans believe in baptismal regeneration and that baptism is, ...
1
vote
1answer
62 views
Do good works always express saving faith in Christ, even when that faith is not explicit?
My understanding of the Catholic view on the relationship between faith and works is that faith and works are inseparable. Which is to say that true faith will always find expression in works, and ...
2
votes
1answer
436 views
Can a person lose salvation if publicly denies Jesus but keeps living a christian life? (Catholic)
I just watched the movie "Silence" and made me wonder if a person can lose his salvation if he keeps publicly denying Christ but privately(secretly) still living a Christian life?
Matthew 10:33
...
5
votes
2answers
196 views
According to open theism, did God know that the crucifixion of Jesus would benefit anyone after him?
Ronald Nash challenges open theism in his book, Life's Ultimate Questions, in particular on the point of God's foreknowledge during the crucifixion of Jesus. Since God's knowledge of the future is "...
6
votes
2answers
204 views
Saviour of all people, ESPECIALLY of those who believe
1 Timothy 4:10 reads:
That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe. [NIV]
Is there any ...
12
votes
2answers
341 views
How do proponents of Apokatastasis deal with the “Everlasting punishment” texts in scripture?
For those who don't know, the doctrine of Apokatastasis is an ancient form of Universalism which states that everything God has ever created will be saved and glorified, including the Devil and his ...
11
votes
4answers
733 views
How does repentance fit into the doctrine of sola fide (“by faith alone”)?
Sola fide (Latin for "by faith alone") is a defining doctrine of Protestantism. Wikipedia defines it as follows:
The doctrine of sola fide asserts God's pardon for guilty sinners is granted to and ...
6
votes
2answers
379 views
Does the Lumen Gentium dogmatic constitution say that non-Catholic Christians cannot be saved?
The Wikipedia page on Salvation in Christianity says the following about the Catholic view of salvation of non-Catholics:
Nevertheless, individual Protestants aware of the fact that Christ ...
4
votes
1answer
169 views
How do Protestantism and the LDS Church differ as to what is required for a believer to attain salvation and eternal life?
What is the difference between what Protestantism and the LDS Church teach about what is needed to attain salvation and life in eternity?
Good answers will summarise the doctrines of both with quotes ...
6
votes
1answer
239 views
Why aren't all unbelievers given a “Road to Damascus” moment, according to Catholicism?
As described in the book of Acts, and in lesser detail within the Pauline Epistles, Saul was a Jew who was actively persecuting Christians, notably taking responsibility for the stoning of Stephen. ...
9
votes
1answer
352 views
How is the 'New Perspective on Paul' different from Catholicism with respect to good works?
Does both the views of the New Perspective on Paul and Catholicism define 'good works' similarly? What is the role of good works towards salvation according to these perspectives?
If there are ...
8
votes
1answer
372 views
What do proponents of “Free Grace” theology believe about the salvation of Judas?
"Free Grace" theology is a strand of Evangelical soteriology that holds that sanctification does not necessarily follow the conversion and justification of a person – that is, those saying that they ...
4
votes
2answers
314 views
Do Lutherans define Justification and Atonement as different things?
I was considering the doctrine of Lutheran Unlimited/Universal Atonement, which says Christ died for everyone's sins. However, the fact stands that not all people go to heaven – thus not all people's ...
