Questions tagged [soteriology]
The study of the mechanisms by which an individual is saved.
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What is the biblical basis for claiming that salvation is an individual decision?
This article from a Christian web site, has suggested that salvation is an individual decision and a relationship with God is an intensely personal decision. It also says obedience and surrender to ...
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If salvation is by faith, and faith comes by hearing the word of Christ, can we be saved without having heard of Jesus?
The Bible says
It is by grace that you are saved, by the means of faith. And it does not come from you, it is the gift of God’. (Eph 2:8).
So faith comes from what we hear, and what we hear comes ...
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Is God being just by sending Christian murderers to Heaven?
Let's say that a Christian serial killer has murdered many people who happened to not be Christians. Would God be just by sending the Christian serial killer to Heaven, while sending his victims to ...
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How does salvation of people with dissociative identity disorder work?
Let's say that someone with DID (dissociative identity disorder) has 2 alters: an atheist and a faithful Christian. Where would that person go? To Heaven? To Hell? To some third place?
This question ...
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On Implicit Knowledge of the Incarnation
After the Fall, was the protoevangelium transmitted to all men so much so that all men have knowledge of the protoevangelium even if that knowledge was distorted?
Every mythology has something ...
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How do the various churches define the moment we receive the Holy Spirit?" [closed]
I am look for more insight. I have seen many interpretation of scripture but not one that completely explains what my question is.
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Was salvation originally meant for the Jews according to the parable of the wedding banquet?
It looks as if salvation was originally meant for the Jews, at least that is what I can infer from the parable of the wedding banquet, that God sent Jesus to the Jews first and if they accepted him as ...
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How do opponents of Penal Substitution explain God's declaration that He "will not leave the guilty unpunished"?
In referring to opponents of Penal Substitution theory, I'm referring specifically to those who view it as a false view of the Atonement, not merely that it is incomplete (eg those who hold to ...
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Bibliograpy on the difference between the Kingdom of the God and Salvation / Eternal Life
From my studies, Scripture seems to make a very clear difference between the requirements of receiving the gift of salvation (by faith alone) and the requirements to enter the kingdom of God.
A. ...
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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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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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Does God the Son have Faith?
While answering another question, a comment perplexed me and I cannot quite understand it.
"It was not Christ 'fulfilling the law' that saved, but him bearing the punishment for sin we all ...
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Why do we say that Jesus shed blood to the last drop on the Cross?
We read in Jn 19:33-34( KJV):
But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there ...
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Is the third day timeframe of Jesus burial/resurrection required for salvation?
In 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Paul states the Gospel that saves: that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day. I have heard multiple versions of this when people teach people ...
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How would those who subscribe to Restrictivism interpret John 5:28-29?
When I read John 5:24-29 (CSB)
24 "Truly I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.
25 ...
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Who defended the devil's salvation?
As the question states: who defended the devil's salvation?
I know I've read of a Catholic saint who supposedly defended the devil's salvation. And why not? Maybe the devil has been greatly ...
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In what ways are Carl Jung's "ego death" and biblical "dying to sin" similar and dissimilar?
I was reading a while back and wanted to piece together these two ideas in my head. But as I think more about it the cognitive dissonance only increases. Non-Christians can experience "ego death&...
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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 ...
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How is 1 Corinthians 9:27 reconciled with the teaching that losing salvation is impossible?
This question is aimed at those Christians who believe that someone saved can't become "unsaved" later.
At least in 1 Corinthians 9:27 apostle Paul says he is not sure whether he will be saved or not ...
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If Christians are saved by faith alone, then why does Jesus want Christians to do certain things?
I have wondered that if it is faith alone that gets a Christian into Heaven, then why was it important to Jesus that his followers do certain things such as obeying His commandments and caring for ...
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If we are guaranteed heaven before birth, would it be better to die early rather than risk damnation?
Some Christian traditions believe that all infants go to heaven. In this view, wouldn't it be better if everyone died before they are born, so they avoid becoming sinful, and thus guaranteed to go to ...
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Churches with Abelard or Socinus view on atonement?
What are the names of some nowadays Churches or Denominations that hold Peter Abelard or Faustus Socinus views on atonement or Salvation?
I mean Churches that hold the Moral or Example theory of ...
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Question on "The State of Theology", Arian heresy, and salvation
The Ligonier Ministries' 2022 "State of Theology" contains some interesting things. One such thing is that over half of those surveyed agreed (some strongly) with the following statement:
...
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How is the Extraordinary Means of Salvation in Catholicism not Pelagianism? (Cathechism 847)
The Catholic Catechism #847 gives exception to the (ordinary) rule of need for baptism for salvation. This extraordinary means is found outside the visible church, in the invisible church in ...
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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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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 ...
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Do all moral humans go to heaven?
Given a person X who leads a "moral life" based on the law laid out in the Bible.
Given that X does not believe in the existence of God or any other God.
If the Christian Faith happens to be ...
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According to Calvinists, why does God not predestine all to Heaven?
It seems to me that if God chooses not only those who will go to heaven, but those who will go to hell, a Calvinist would hold the position of Universalism, that being that all people will be saved. ...
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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 ...
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Do Christians believe that Jews and Muslims go to hell? [closed]
As we know, Judaism, Christianity and Islam are the main 3 monotheistic religions.
Quran says:
Surely, those who believed in [God], and those who are Jews, and Christians, and Sabians, -whosoever ...
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Are people with sinful addictions doomed? [closed]
According to Acts 3:19-21:
19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,
20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ ...
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Do Christians believe that the laws of the Old Testament still apply today, or did Jesus end that? [duplicate]
I struggle a little bit in understanding the Christian belief about the OT laws as a Muslim.
One of the things that confuses me is that half of Christians say that deeds aren’t important; that ...
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Could someone in the Old Testament be saved without believing in Christ?
I have often heard it taught that those living in the time of the Old Testament were saved by the law, but that they also had to have faith that Christ would come. If someone living in the Old ...
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Without Hell, from what does Jesus save?
This question is about the liberal versions of Christianity, the versions which don’t have a conception of Hell. Put simply, without Hell, just what exactly is Jesus saving me from?
Even the most ...
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How do we know from the Bible that Adam and Eve have been saved from the lake of fire?
How do we know from the Bible that Adam and Eve have been saved from the lake of fire?
According to my knowledge, it is a fairly unanimous position among the Oriental Christianity, the Roman Catholic ...
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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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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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For since the creation... men are without excuse
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in
unrighteousness;
19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in ...
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Was Jesus sent to the Earth so people could commit sin and lead sinful lifestyles yet still go to Heaven?
I am a Catholic and I notice there has been a growing movement within the Catholic Church to accept anyone who wants to join the Church regardless of whether or not they will go to Confession or ...
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How is God's encounter with Jacob in Genesis 32 addressed within the framework of monergism vs. synergism?
Genesis 32:27-28
27 So He said to him, “What is your name?” He said, “Jacob.” 28 And He said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and ...
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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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Where does God draw the line when it comes to Sin? [closed]
So I've read 1 John a lot and I understand that I cannot continue to sin if I want to be a child of God's.
1 John 1:6 (NIV)
6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the
darkness, we ...
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Did Joseph Smith go to heaven according to Protestant Trinitarians?
According to the Mormon Doctrine written by Bruce McConkie,
If it had not been for Joseph Smith and the restoration, there would be no salvation. There is no salvation outside The Church of Jesus ...
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Is believing in God for salvation the same as believing in Jesus as Christ?
I'm interested in answers particularly from Evangelicals who might disagree with this idea, as well as those who agree with it. I'm especially interested in theological considerations — i.e. does this ...
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How is the crucifixion just?
As a result of the crucifixion of Jesus, all who truly accept Christ will receive salvation and have their sins washed away. But how is it just that the guilty person not be held accountable for the ...
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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, ...
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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
...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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