Questions tagged [soteriology]

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

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2 answers
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Does Wm. Golding's book "Lord of the Flies" correctly present the theology of "The Fallen Nature of Man" according to Christian Protestantism?

William Golding wrote about a group of Boy Scouts who were stranded on an island, and who tried to set up a society among themselves. At first they were quite civil and logical in their social ...
6 votes
2 answers
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What is apostasy (John 15) in Lutheranism?

In contrast to the Reformed tradition, it it the best of my understating, that Lutherans hold in election unto salvation for all who all in Christ, yet also hold that individuals, because of their own ...
1 vote
1 answer
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According to Christians not affiliated with the LDS Church, is the LDS doctrine of salvation inconsistent with the Bible?

The following is an excerpt from pages 471 and 472 of Mormon Doctrine, by Bruce R. McConkie:   1. Unconditional or general salvation, that which comes by grace alone without obedience to gospel law, ...
3 votes
3 answers
627 views

Can a Christian be called but not chosen?

The concept of many are called but few are chosen is very alive in the Bible where Jesus says that no one can come to him unless God allows it. Mathew 22:14 Indeed many are called but few are chosen ...
3 votes
2 answers
243 views

How do those who deny baptism as a means of grace reconcile this bible verses apparently saying 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 ...
2 votes
7 answers
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Are there any texts from the Bible that summarize the Gospel?

Trying to come up with a list of essentials to center a gospel message on. I've seen the "Roman road of salvation" used before, but I am wondering if there are any specific summaries in the ...
2 votes
8 answers
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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 ...
5 votes
1 answer
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What was the Early Church's (ante-Nicene period) view of the interplay between free will (or lack thereof) and salvation?

Did the Early Church (ante-Nicene period) believe in libertarian free will? Did the Early Church (ante-Nicene period) believe in determinism? Did the Early Church (ante-Nicene period) believe that ...
5 votes
7 answers
885 views

Could Jesus have refused to go to the cross?

Jesus prays to the Father in the Garden of Gethsemane, distressing over the impending cup of wrath to come. The weight of bearing the sins of people and alienation from the Father put him such ...
5 votes
1 answer
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What is Thomas Aquinas' perspective on salvation for baptized heretics who believe in the Trinity?

St. Thomas Aquinas is praised globally for his intellect, and such has gained him the merit of being a 'Doctor of the Church'. I am curious about several things though: What are Aquinas's views on ...
7 votes
2 answers
284 views

Which Christian Churches or Denominations subscribe to sacerdotalism as essential?

Based in part on answers to this question, this definition from the Merriam-Webster dictionary: : religious belief emphasizing the powers of priests as essential mediators between God and humankind ...
1 vote
1 answer
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Which denominations teach that people who have not heard the Gospel can be saved through obedience to God?

According to the Catholics, Every man who is ignorant of the Gospel of Christ and of his Church, but seeks the truth and does the will of God in accordance with his understanding of it, can be saved. ...
5 votes
3 answers
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According to Christians who believe that salvation can be lost, what is spiritual rebirth, what is eternal life and can salvation be regained?

According to Christians who believe that salvation can be lost: What is eternal life? Is eternal life attained now (in this life / before death) or at the resurrection? What is spiritual rebirth? ...
8 votes
2 answers
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Are there Christian denominations that expect Jesus to respect denominationalism in the final judgement?

Of course many (if not most) denominations believe that what they teach and believe as doctrine critical to salvation is, in fact, critical to salvation. Most denominations also teach and believe ...
1 vote
4 answers
155 views

Is there scripture stating we will realize an unmistakable event or experience immediately upon salvation during God's Ephesians 3:2 "age of grace"?

If there are unmistakable events or experiences that prove "true" salvation, how would we then be able to discern a deceptive event or experience that was administered by Satan? Isn't this ...
6 votes
8 answers
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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 ...
46 votes
8 answers
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Biblical basis for baptism as a prerequisite for salvation

Some people believe that if you have not been baptized, you cannot be saved. Others (including myself) believe that it is merely the outward declaration of what has already happened in the heart. ...
20 votes
5 answers
11k views

Difference between Augustinianism and Calvinism

Is there a difference between Augustinianism and (Five Points) Calvinism as they relate to the doctrine of salvation? If so, what is the difference?
2 votes
3 answers
183 views

Is there scriptural support for Pascal's wager?

Pascal contends that a rational person should adopt a lifestyle consistent with the existence of God and actively strive to believe in God. The reasoning behind this stance lies in the potential ...
3 votes
4 answers
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Is it possible for an unbeliever who is steadfastly unconvinced or skeptical to genuinely embrace a saving faith in Christ?

I often find it helpful to illustrate my point with extreme cases. Let's examine some well-known examples of unbelievers: Graham Oppy, a distinguished atheist philosopher specializing in philosophy of ...
3 votes
6 answers
594 views

If saving faith in Christ is a God-given gift, what prevents God from giving this gift to everyone? [closed]

If saving faith in Christ is considered a gift from God rather than an attainable skill through personal effort (as discussed in Is faith a skill that can be developed over time?), then what prevents ...
9 votes
8 answers
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What is the scriptural evidence that faith comes from God?

I've heard both of these claims, and they seem to have irreconcilable differences: God does his part (the call/invitation), now you do yours (respond in faith) God not only gave his son for you, but ...
4 votes
7 answers
742 views

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 James 2:24 and Romans 3:28 contradict? [duplicate]

(both quotes in NKJV) James 2:24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. Romans 3:28 For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the ...
12 votes
3 answers
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What is the Calvinist perspective on John 5:28–29 in regard to earning salvation?

John 5:28–29 seems to teach salvation by works: Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the ...
22 votes
4 answers
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What caused the shift from "Faith Of Christ" to "Faith In Christ" in modern translations?

The phrase "Faith in Christ" can also be translated "Faith of Christ" (or "Faithfulness of Christ" [NET]): In the older school of translations of the Bible into English (I'll call them the "King ...
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2 answers
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Shortcut to Heaven? [closed]

If some cult decided to take the L and massacre as many people as possible each all souls day, then immediately pray for them, do all those victims get into heaven scott free? Can the cult members ...
0 votes
1 answer
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Are those who die without someone praying for their souls , compensated?

Month of November is dedicated to the deceased faithful. One of the Mass Intentions of Catholic Church for the month is to pray for those souls who have no one praying for them. That implies that ...
-1 votes
2 answers
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According to Biblical Unitarians, what is the essential belief about Jesus in order to be saved?

The bible teaches many things about Jesus. Where he came from Who he came from When he originated What he was How do we know what the most important aspect of Jesus is from the bible with reference ...
0 votes
5 answers
264 views

How to refute the argument that is is possible to be saved without Jesus and do apologetics for it

I've recently thought of an argument that might undermine Christianity but I'm not sure if I simply reinvented a super old argument that already has a refutation or it's a novel one (probably not), ...
2 votes
3 answers
138 views

Is it possible to be a worshiper of the true God without being reached/evangelized?

Upon reflecting on the answers to this question, HOW does the existence of the Universe make those who do not worship God to be "without excuse"?, I noticed that Romans 1:18-20 leaves ...
5 votes
4 answers
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Is there any biblical basis for believing that Satan will do his uttermost to prevent a sinner from coming to saving faith in Christ Jesus?

Recently our minister preached a sermon based on Luke 9:42: Even while the boy was coming [to Jesus to be healed], the demon threw him to the ground in a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the evil ...
3 votes
4 answers
159 views

Can punishment for unintentional sins be reconciled with Christians knowing they have eternal life?

My question isn't so much about reconciling specific Scripture passages as it is about reconciling two teachings supported by Scripture, so I'm asking here rather than on Hermeneutics. I'm wondering ...
1 vote
3 answers
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What insights can be derived from the Protoevangelium regarding God's plan of Salvation, specifically in relation to the concept of election?

The Protoevangelium, which can be found in Genesis 3:15, holds significant value in Christian theology as it serves as God's initial proclamation and a prophetic utterance. The concept of Redemption ...
1 vote
1 answer
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How does imputation work?

When someone believes on Jesus Christ how does Jesus sinless perfect righteousness is transferred to the believer and the believer's sin transferred to Jesus? Like what is the theory or doctrine that ...
1 vote
2 answers
74 views

What Are the Way of Repentance and the Way of Eternal Life?

Gaining eternal life through faith in the Lord is the longing of many Christians. But is it true that we can attain the way of eternal life by accepting the Lord’s salvation, repenting and confessing ...
7 votes
4 answers
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What is the biblical basis for the doctrine that salvation can be lost?

In contrast to the doctrine of Eternal Security, many denominations believe that a person can, in fact, lose his or her salvation. So, what is the biblical basis or biblical argument for the doctrine ...
11 votes
3 answers
535 views

In Reformed theology, what exactly does the doctrine of "limited atonement" actually assert?

I have found it difficult to understand precisely what Reformed circles mean in the "doctrine of Limited/Definite Atonement / Particular Redemption". Descriptions or statements of the ...
7 votes
3 answers
371 views

What is an overview of Christian viewpoints on the afterlife of aborted babies?

What does the afterlife look like for an aborted baby? What happens to their consciousness (if any)? What happens to their spirit/soul? Since these are presumably controversial questions, I'm ...
1 vote
0 answers
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What scriptural examples exist of people converting to righteousness from overt wickedness on account of a miraculous occurrence (e.g. Paul)?

A brief bit of context (feel free to edit it out if it's not appropriate for the site, but I think it'll help clarify exactly what I'm trying to achieve with this question): I am currently studying ...
5 votes
3 answers
395 views

How Did the Earliest Church Define Salvation?

This question came up for me in a discussion of the meaning of "saved" in Acts 15:1. But certain ones having come down from Judea were teaching the brothers, "Unless you are ...
5 votes
6 answers
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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 ...
2 votes
2 answers
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What does it mean to be saved by sanctification and believing the truth? 2 Thessalonians 2:13

My question is for protestant Christians. If salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, then what does 2 Thessalonians 2:13 mean by saying that people are saved by the ...
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1 answer
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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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1 answer
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Was the Resurrection part and parcel of Jesus' Salvific Mission?

In John 19:30, we see Jesus giving up his Spirit on the Cross after saying: " It is finished " . In Contemporary English Version, the words appear as " Everything is done" . So, by ...
6 votes
2 answers
532 views

What did the early Church Fathers (pre-Nicea A.D. 325) have to say about faith, baptism and if it is the act of baptism that saves?

This question is asked in response to this recent question: Where does the idea that faith must be a condition for baptism originate from? I am trying to find evidence from the writings of Clement, ...
16 votes
3 answers
937 views

Calvinist perspective on Luke 18:18-30

Luke 18:18-30 (NIV) tells the story of the "rich young ruler" who asked Christ what he must do to inherit eternal life: 18A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit ...
4 votes
4 answers
156 views

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 ...
3 votes
4 answers
142 views

By what mechanism does Faith lead to Salvation?

As I understand, Evangelical Protestants believe that Jesus took on the sins of humanity through his death, acting as a substitute for the target of the justice of God, and that salvation comes ...
3 votes
5 answers
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According to Protestants who hold that belief in Trinitarianism is necessary for salvation, what happens to those who assent but don't understand?

It seems some Protestants hold that belief in Trinitarianism is required for salvation. According to those who hold this, is there a distinction between Christians who assent to this and understand ...

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