Questions tagged [soteriology]
The study of the mechanisms by which an individual is saved.
633 questions
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Can the belief of Jesus' listeners be considered belief unto salvation?
During my daily study of the book of John, I've come across several statements like this one from chapter 8:30, which says:
"As he was saying these things, many believed in him."
Is there any ...
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What is Christ's role in salvation according to Arian theology?
This is related, but intended to be a more specific version of this question.
The answer provides a pretty concise, Sunday-school refutation to Arianism, but it assumes a Trinitarian view.
From ...
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To a YEC, how does a metaphorical interpretation of Genesis 1-3 distort the gospel?
In my conversations with Young Earth Creationists (YECs), I have on occasion heard the argument that I must interpret Genesis literally, otherwise the entire gospel, culminating at salvation, crumbles....
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What does being Born Again mean per Catholic teaching?
What does being Born Again mean per Catholic teaching?
Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3 NKJV)
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Did Augustine teach sola fide?
It is popularly taught that the reformers declared five distinctive elements of theology that differentiated them from Rome: salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, for the ...
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Has the Church stated any advantages or reasoning or prompting to re-formulating positively the Catholic Church's salvation doctrine?
The Church in Catechism of the Catholic Church: "Outside the Church there is no salvation", 846, has re-formulated positively "Outside the Church there is no salvation", often repeated by the Church ...
user13992
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Where Does Jesus Say "I will save humanity"?
I had an old friend ask the following: "Where in the Bible does Jesus say, "I will go save humanity"" (Or something along those lines). I tried to explain God is Jesus, and it was his will. But they ...
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Given a Catholic understanding of Hell and individual judgment, do Catholics believe that all Protestants will go to Hell?
I'm interested in a Catholic answer only; I want to know what the Catholic church teaches about this matter.
I know that the Catholic Church says that only God is the judge, and that we are the ones ...
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Biblical reference that if someone is saved through someone else, that creates a "reward" or "treasure" in heaven?
So, I'm trying to find a passage which I believe exists somewhere in the Bible (possibly written by Paul, but maybe not), where the writer rejoices in those who have been saved through his works (...
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Is modern Evangelical Protestant soteriology consistent with the early Christian idea of "theosis"?
Early Christians used the term theosis, which puts forth a "exaltation", "divinization" deification concept which the Eastern orthodox church still holds today.
[T]he Word of God became man, that ...
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Did Pontius Pilate follow God's Plan?
I am confused. Since I know salvation must be attained through the sacrifice of God's only son, Jesus Christ, what were the consequences of the actions taken by Pontius Pilate, for Pilate himself. Did ...
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According to Catholicism, in what cases is Purgatory necessary?
As I understand it, there are at least two "steps" necessary for a person to reach Heaven; I hope this description is valid from nearly all Christian viewpoints. First the person has to choose to ...
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How does Jesus show love by suffering?
I wonder, how does the suffering of Jesus/God show love?
I do not believe that Jesus suffered to forgive our sins. If God is love, God doesn't need to make a terrible sacrifice to forgive our sins. ...
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How does a person determine whether they are a "false Christian" or "inconsistent Christian"? [closed]
Many Protestants believe once saved, always saved. Christians who accept Jesus get saved. They also continue sinning and no one is perfect. My question is to those who hold this position.
I have heard ...
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Do people who commit "major" sins after accepting Jesus go to Heaven? [closed]
This question is meant for Protestants. In many mainstream Protestant denominations that I have heard of, it seems to me clear that once you really accept Jesus' free gift on the cross as payment for ...
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What is the Reformed perspective on "All people are called by God to salvation in Christ"?
The quote in the title is taken from paragraph 16 of the JOINT DECLARATION
ON THE DOCTRINE OF JUSTIFICATION by the Lutheran World Federation and the Catholic Church. Is such a statement consistent or ...
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Do the Catholic Church ex cathedra pronouncements about necessity of Catholicism to be saved still apply?
I think the following was spoken Ex Cathedra:
“The most Holy Roman Church firmly believes, professes and preaches
that none of those existing outside the Catholic Church, not only
pagans, but ...
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Christian denominations that believe in salvation for non-Christians [duplicate]
Are there any denominations in Christianity that believe that one can get to heaven without actually being a Christian?
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What does "saving grace" mean in Christianity?
I am not talking about "salvation" or "grace". I am talking about "saving grace". I tried looking up on Google, and the Free Dictionary explained that in Christian theology, it meant a state of being ...
user11338
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If God desires salvation for all, how come many people died without hearing the gospel? [closed]
1 Timothy 2:4 states that God wants everyone to be saved:
This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and
to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and ...
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What is the Catholic method of salvation?
Evangelicals believe that salvation is by grace alone through faith, that Christ's death and resurrection alone is the basis of their Salvation. Is this comparable to the Catholic concept of ...
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Moral implications of heaven and hell doctrine [closed]
Many Christians believe that when a person dies, they go to either heaven or hell. Catholics believe in purgatory, but most Protestants seem to not believe in this doctrine. Furthermore, the vast ...
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What was the point of the third article of Remonstrance?
The other four points of the Remonstrants seem to articulate significant departures from Calvin's soteriology, but not this one:
THIRD ARTICLE.
Saving Faith.—Man in his fallen state is unable to ...
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Does Joyce Meyer preach salvation by faith in Jesus alone (ie not works)?
A non-Christian colleague is really interested in Joyce Meyer and is watching a lot of her talks. I don't know much about her (I only saw one talk and it was soundly Biblical).
Does she preach the ...
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In Romans 7 is Paul talking about before or after he was saved?
In Romans 7:15 Paul said "For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I." and in Romans 7:11 Paul said "For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, ...
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Are our sins of the future forgiven? (John 20:23)
Catholics say that our future sins are not forgiven (unless we confess them in the future) and say that John 20:23 (and maybe other verses which I can't remember), uses the past, i.e. "forgiven", so ...
user3964
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Does Paul say in Galatians that we put our faith in Jesus or work to stop sinning?
One minute Paul says anyone who tries to earn their way to heaven by obeying the law will die. An then he goes on to say don't obey the desires of your sinful nature. OK, I'm confused. Do we put "...
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How do proponents of sola fide explain Titus 1:16?
Evangelicals believe that faith alone establishes your salvation. How do they resolve Titus 1:16?
They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, ...
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How are Romans 3:24 and James 2:17 reconciled? [duplicate]
I mean. I want to put my faith in Jesus, and I try to make myself believe that he is my Savior.. But I find myself putting more faith in "My" actions instead of his. And according to these two ...
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Are some people born without hope? [closed]
While reading 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 NASB
1Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our
Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, 2that you not
be quickly shaken ...
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What is the biblical basis for the claim that Jesus took on the sins of mankind?
It's been said that there is no biblical basis for the assumption that Jesus ever took on the sins of mankind, before, during or after his death. What is the biblical proof that Jesus did take on the ...
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In Protestant faith is one's old self dying on the cross with Jesus symbolic, or the actual assumption of a new Eternal life?
Many years ago I accepted Jesus as my savior in a small Baptist church. Up until that time I had never felt any guilt over sinning. Since that day though I have a guilt feeling every time. Years ago ...
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Is there a need for Christians to believe in Christianity at all, if they don't believe in Resurrection and Salvation through Christ alone?
My question is directed to professing Christians who don't believe in any of the key doctrines held by evangelical churches, such as the Virgin Birth, the Resurrection, and Jesus Christ as the only ...
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Is Lutheran confession necessary for salvation? [duplicate]
From what I understand...
Although there are major differences, Lutheran confession and Catholic confession are similar.
Catholicism teaches that one must confess mortal sin in order to be restored ...
user5286
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What is the purpose of attending the mass and going to Confession?
(My curiosity is going to cost me my reputation again. Anyway, here it goes...)
In Catholicism, how important is attending the mass, going to Confession and other liturgical rituals?
Do these ...
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What is the importance of reading the Bible personally in Catholicism?
What is the importance of reading the Bible in Catholicism?
Can a Catholic anticipate going to heaven by only attending the masses and going to Confession, but never read the Bible at home?
Does ...
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Who believe that innocent children will also go to Hell?
But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little
children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God
belongs to such as these. (Luke 18:16, NIV)
To those Christians ...
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Does this passage imply salvation cannot be lost?
How would this passage be interpreted by someone who believes that salvation can be lost?
John 10:27-30 ESV
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give
them eternal life, ...
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Apologist for keeping salvation
Does the following verse imply that your salvation can be lost? It does not say, "... unless you've accepted Jesus"
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 NIV
Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit ...
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What Scriptures tell us what man having free will actually means? [closed]
I have been given many different opinions as to what having free will actually means. Some have said that it means only that we have a choice of whether or not to accept salvation, others have said it ...
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What kind of baptism is essential to salvation, and what does 'essential' mean in this context? (Catholic perspective)
I'm a protestant and I've often heard statements to the effect that "Catholics believe that salvation is impossible without baptism", but I've also encountered the terms "Baptism of blood" and "...
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Did Jesus sacrifice his soul to save ours? [closed]
I am not asking for an opinion, what I am asking is that you evaluate my interpretation of the Scriptures and show me where I have misinterpreted them.
In the following scriptures; it is indicated ...
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What is the scriptural basis for believing the judgement comes immediately at death? [closed]
In my discussions I've talked to Christians who had different concepts about the specifics of salvation which seem to make a significant difference, at least if one's only unrepented sin is not ...
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Why did Jesus not stone the adulteress? [duplicate]
In John 8:1-11, a woman caught in adultery was brought before Jesus and was demanded to judge her according to the Law of Moses. Jesus told them that anyone without sin can stone her. No one dared to ...
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Is God one but multi-instantiated? [closed]
I am stalled at the notion that there is but a single way 'up the mountain'. "No one gets there but by me." However, it seems as though 'me' could be 'any of me.' In the sense that Jesus was (a ...
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Relativism and salvation [closed]
Suppose there is a man that subscribes to a traditional, Protestant worldview as described by the Apostle's Creed (i.e. Lutherans, Anglicans, Presbyterians, etc).
Suppose this man has an ...
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The Cost of Salvation [closed]
My question is, did Jesus have to die for our sins?
If no, then how would we have obtained salvation.
If yes, if Jesus did in fact have to die for our sins, I do not understand this.
Why would God ...
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Are sinners in Satan's kingdom?
OK, people seem to agree who is in Christ's kingdom. But if there is a Satan's kingdom. Are non-Christians or sinners part of his kingdom? what does that say about rich evil politicians? Does the ...
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How does Calvinism explain how an omniscient, omnipotent, and omnibenevolent creator could NOT have a plan for universal salvation?
In the haze of discerning truth and wisdom by the hybrid application of scripture, tradition, philosophy, and experience it seems illogical that a loving creator with perfect and complete knowledge ...
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How do Arminians understand the doctrine of Unlimited Atonement in a way that does not make God unjust?
The doctrine of unlimited atonement teaches that Christ died for all mankind, but only paid for the sins of those who believe in Him. If this is the case then either Jesus already knew who would ...
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