Questions tagged [soteriology]
the study of the mechanisms by which an individual is saved
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On what basis do Protestants extend the New Covenant to include gentiles?
Given "sola scriptura" and the explicit assertions in scripture regarding the participants in the covenant ("the houses of Israel and Judah") how do Protestants justify teaching it to be for gentile ...
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0answers
35 views
Atonement in Eastern Orthodoxy
The mainline protestant idea of Atonement is, as Luther himself put it, this:
Jesus Christ, our God and Lord, died for our sins and was raised again
for our justification (Romans 3:24–25). He ...
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2answers
135 views
Do Jehovah's Witnesses have one Saviour or Two?
Jehovah's witnesses firmly believe that Jehovah and Jesus are separate beings and that Jesus is NOT God because Jesus is an angel. What do JW's say about their Saviour? Specifically,
Isa 43:3, 11, ...
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3answers
145 views
If Jesus's death was not eternal, then how can it be substitutionary for the eternal deaths of humans?
Sinful humans are judged and sentenced to eternal death. But did Jesus experience eternal death? If so, how? If not, how then can it be considered substitutionary for our deaths?
How do those who ...
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5answers
244 views
What are the various beliefs about the fate of honest atheists?
Some atheists (or any explicit denier of Christian truth) claim that their disbelief in Christianity is an honest one, viz. if they had put their faith in Christ they would be lying to themselves and ...
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1answer
205 views
Anglican Absolution
In Anglicanism, both justification by faith alone (article 11 of the 39) and priestly absolution (found within the order of the visitation of the sick in the BCP ) are doctrinal stances in the book ...
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0answers
67 views
Which church fathers taught involuntary universal salvation?
Which early church fathers (including those now considered heretics like Origen) pre 1054 taught that "all will be saved", including all of the dead without "hearing and believing"? In other words, ...
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2answers
199 views
Salvation Possible After Death
Which early church fathers (pre 500) taught it was possible for a person after their death to hear and receive salvation in Christ Jesus?
We know some groups teach the necessity of water baptism to ...
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4answers
352 views
Was universalism the majority belief of the early church?
I recently came upon an article that made this statement:
According to historical records, Universal Reconciliation was the majority belief of the church during the first five centuries of the ...
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0answers
133 views
In Reformed theology, what exactly does the doctrine of “limited atonement” actually assert?
I have found it quite confusing to try and understand what traditional Reformed circles mean precisely in their doctrine of "limited/definite atonement"/"particular redemption", especially as not all ...
4
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1answer
128 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 ...
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7answers
486 views
Immaculate Conception: Why was it necessary for our Salvation?
According to many Catholic apologists, like Dr. Robert Sungenis,1 the dogma of the immaculate conception of Mary is not simply binding because it is a divinely revealed dogma, but according to them it ...
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1answer
143 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 ...
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3answers
423 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
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1answer
266 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 ...
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3answers
160 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
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1answer
351 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 ...
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1answer
158 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 ...
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3answers
211 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?
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1answer
145 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
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2answers
123 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
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2answers
200 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 ...
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2answers
172 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 ...
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2answers
138 views
(LDS view) Do animals have a possibility to eternal life and is this dependent on Jesus atonoment applied to them?
This is my other question that was inspired by what a quotation in this other question says about pre-existence prior to conception.
The highest rated answer quotes from The Encyclopedia of Mormonism,...
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1answer
103 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 ...
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0answers
81 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.
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2answers
127 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 ...
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3answers
216 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
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1answer
159 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 ...
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1answer
157 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
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4answers
427 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 ...
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1answer
277 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 ...
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1answer
105 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
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2answers
112 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
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0answers
207 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 ...
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1answer
93 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
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1answer
157 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 ...
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2answers
78 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
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1answer
336 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
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4answers
295 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 ...
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1answer
306 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
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1answer
270 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 ...
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1answer
140 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
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0answers
63 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-...
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1answer
216 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 ...
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1answer
240 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, ...
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1answer
245 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 ...
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1answer
872 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.
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1answer
240 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, ...
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1answer
66 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 ...
