Questions tagged [soteriology]
The study of the mechanisms by which an individual is saved.
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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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What is the Catholic understanding of 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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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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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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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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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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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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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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How do Christians that advocate libertarian free will interpret Romans 9:14-24?
Romans 9:14-24 (ESV):
14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I ...
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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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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 ...
user50422
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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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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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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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Can God replace his covenent with Abraham?
In the book of Genesis, God makes the covenant of circumcision with Abraham for him and his descendants. In verse 7 we are told this is an everlasting covenant.
How does this go in hand with the fact ...
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Why is it not enough for Jesus to be human to be the perfect sacrifice, why must he be God?
Regardless of whether Jesus is God or not, why do some stridently hold to, 'Jesus can only cover sin by His own death as God'?
Until Jesus' perfect sacrifice/offering, the law required an animal to ...
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Looking for references from the early Church Fathers on Galatians 3:13
Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: [Galatians 3:13, KJV]
...As it relates to a Luther(esque) ...
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What does Trinitarian Protestantism understand by salvation being in the name of 'Jesus Christ of Nazareth'?
Peter had the following words to say to the rulers, elders and scribes in Jerusalem regarding the healing of the lame man at the temple :
... the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth ... neither is there ...
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How is God's judgement of man fair when he judges them without considering their deeds?
In America, our judicial system is built on the idea that a man is assumed innocent, and then proven guilty with evidence.
In contrast, Paul wrote:
Romans 9 10-18: ...there was Rebekah also, when she ...
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Is the root of salvation correctly summed up as "Be saved and repent!" or should it be "Repent and be saved!"?
In the article below, the phrase "Be saved and repent!" was endorsed. I wish to know what a Reformed Protestant view would be on this. The context for the phrase is this:
The editor wrote an article ...
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Why don't Catholics believe that Christ's atonement removed Original Sin?
Original Sin is the Catholic doctrine that all human are born sinners due to the inheritance of the sin of Adam. However, Jesus Christ atoned for the sin of mankind.
Therefore, one would assume the ...
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What is the biblical support for being 'born again' (or' born from above') in this life?
Many think they are 'born again' when they are baptised on receiving the Holy Spirit as a gift from God.
However, it seems apparent from the scriptures that being 'born from above' happens at our ...
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Why Jesus died on the cross and not by any other mean? [duplicate]
I know why Jesus died for us? But why the cross? Why not by any other mean?
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Do non-Christians go to hell?
What is the official stance of various Christian denominations on whether or not non-believers go to hell? How do denominations which preach that they do, reconcile the damnation of people who grow ...
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Why do Christians believe Christ's death applies to future sins? [closed]
One of the points that different Christian denominations and movements generally agree on is that Christ died on the cross to atone for our sins, and his death was the ultimate sacrifice. This ...
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Is the sign of the Cross as well as the crucifix a Catholic “trade mark”?
Why do Catholics have crucifix in their home and Churches; priest, bishops, cardinals, popes and the faithful wear crucifix in their neck and make a sign of the cross before and after prayer and ...
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Did Jesus die for all? Is “for many” the same meaning as “for all “ in Matthew 26:28?
In Matthew 26, Jesus said,
Matthew 26:28: For this is my blood of the new testament, which shall be shed for many unto remission of sins.
And In Isaiah, please take note the word “many”
Isaiah 53:...
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How do reformed theologians reconcile John 15:2 with “once saved always saved"?
Every branch in me (εν έμοι ) that beareth not fruit, he taketh it away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he [the Father, v1] cleanseth it, that it may bear more fruit. (John 15:2, ASV)
Some ...
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How is Union with Christ understood across Christianity?
1 Corinthians 1:30 (NIV): It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.
Union with Christ is an ...
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According to Catholicism can you be saved without being baptised?
Is faith through Jesus Christ without baptism enough for salvation? According to the bible, “without faith, it is hard to please God”. If someone at a young age whose been baptised didn’t have faith ...
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What does the perpetual virginity of Mary add to our salvation?
I tried this question earlier and it was closed due to so many other similar questions but, having looked through I didn't find an answer.
What, if any, is the salvific benefit of the perpetual ...
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Why the Perpetual Virginity of Mary? [duplicate]
The Savior having been born of a Virgin as prophesied, what if any, according to Roman Catholicism, are the salvific benefits of the continued or perpetual virginity of Mary?
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If both the Orthodox and Catholic Church affirm salvation by grace through faith, why did the Protestant Reformation happen?
I will often engage in dialogue with Catholics and Orthodox Christians who tell me that the doctrine of their churches affirms that salvation is by grace through faith.
If that is true, then what ...
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In what manner does the Father draw men to Jesus Christ? John 6:44
This question is for Evangelicals who do not hold a Calvinist view
Jesus Christ states that the Father alone draws men to Himself.
“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him”
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Is there a sect who adopt "salvation by works and exaltation by both: faith and works"?
Is there a Sect or Tradition or Cult within Christianity adopts the following concept: salvation or justification by works, while exaltation or glorification by both: faith and works?.
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Was It Possible or Not To Keep the Law of Moses?
Doing a study on grace and the fulfilment of the Law at present, and wonder if someone can assist: some texts definitely state that it is not humanly possible to perfectly keep the Law. Thus Paul in ...
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Is salvation in the name "Jesus", or in the person Jesus [closed]
Are we saved because we believed in "Jesus" (the name) or Jesus (the person)?
Because other languages have other names for Jesus. If they call upon that name for salvation would they be saved?
I'm ...
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What does the Lutheran Church teach about Justification by Faith and is the sacrament of Baptism essential to salvation?
Recently I have been doing research into the Lutheran Church and it seems that they believe in baptismal regeneration. My understanding is baptismal regeneration is the belief that baptism is ...
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