Christianity Stack Exchange
Christianity Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [soteriology]

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

Also known as the study of salvation, soteriology encompasses such issues as:

  • Is salvation a free will choice of the person or strictly of God?
  • Is salvation fundamentally a legal (substitutionary atonement) metaphor or appeasement (satsifaction theory) "thing"?
  • Why does God allow humans to be put in a situation where "saving" was needed.
  • The part repentance and conversion play in being saved (Acts 2:37-8)
605 questions
18
votes
5 answers

Is it possible to be a Christian by birth?

My parents are both Christians. When we were kids they always took us to church. Does that make me a Christian?
Caleb
  • 37,337
  • 24
  • 150
  • 289
16
votes
4 answers

When did knowledge of Christ's sacrifice become necessary for salvation?

First, this question makes two assumptions: For a person to be saved today, they must hear the gospel of Jesus Christ, and accept the gift of His death on the cross as penance for their sin. Before the death of Christ, the requirement for salvation…
Flimzy
  • 22,191
  • 20
  • 105
  • 212
12
votes
3 answers

How do you "Convert" somebody to Christianity?

A highly debated topic I know. There are hundreds of answers for this, but I would personally like to know what the Bible says about this. If somebody was interested in being saved, what is my responsibility as a disciple of Christ to do?
capitalaudience.com
  • 13,511
  • 11
  • 60
  • 110
12
votes
7 answers

Are there any Christian denominations that don't believe Jesus is the only way to salvation?

While answering another question, I made a statement that I thought was universal in Christianity: Jesus is the only route to heaven; without him, you go to hell. Are there Christian denominations that disagree with this statement? If so, which…
Joe
  • 345
  • 2
  • 4
  • 15
9
votes
3 answers

Are all who are saved, saved equally?

If two people are saved, are they "equally saved?" I don't doubt that both people are completely forgiven, but is it possible for one Christian to be more revered by God than another Christian? Is being saved a simple yes/no kind of thing or are…
user77
8
votes
2 answers

Do you have to have a certain amount of intelligence to get into heaven?

Is there a certain level of intelligence required to get into heaven? I would expect someone to be able to understand at least some of scripture to be saved, but how much intelligence is needed to understand what you need to be saved?
a_hardin
  • 9,173
  • 6
  • 45
  • 94
6
votes
5 answers

Should we pray for someone's salvation?

Today a Pastor on a local TV (in India) was preaching that we need not pray for someone's salvation. Salvation is something that belongs to God and His Plans. He also said that nowhere in the New testament are believers requested to pray for sinners…
Benny
  • 1,501
  • 2
  • 20
  • 25
6
votes
3 answers

How are Romans 3:24 and James 2:17 reconciled?

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 scriptures, I don't know which way to turn. If this is a…
user10314
  • 936
  • 5
  • 19
  • 29
5
votes
6 answers

Are we saved by grace or works?

Throughout the New Testament there seems to be a distinction drawn between grace and works, it is almost as if one salvation question is “who you are” and the second salvation question is “what have you done”. On the one hand, we know we are saved…
Rick
  • 3,269
  • 5
  • 20
  • 31
4
votes
2 answers

According to Reformed Theology, What is the greatest assurance of Salvation?

Context Matthew 7:21-23 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy…
unregistered-matthew7.7
  • 1,603
  • 3
  • 14
  • 21
4
votes
5 answers

Is Salvation a State Function?

Does the salvation of a believer depend on the present state of her faith or are the different life transitions taken into account? Suppose a believer leads a life of faith in Christ. At the end of her life she falls away for some reason, say…
Monika Michael
  • 3,152
  • 8
  • 26
  • 47
4
votes
1 answer

Important Western Soteriological Works

Does anyone know what works are considered to be principal elements of Western soteriological thought, primarily focused on Roman Catholic and Protestant ideologies? I'm interested mostly in primary texts by the likes of Martin Luther, Erasmus, and…
Kyle Willey
  • 668
  • 1
  • 4
  • 11
4
votes
1 answer

How much are we personally responsible for the salvation of someone else?

The quickest and easiest answer might be "not at all, as it's only between God and that person", but this question can lead to other question. For example, to the responsibility of a priest. Even as not a priest, for example, I can get a feeling…
vsz
  • 1,263
  • 3
  • 13
  • 25
4
votes
3 answers

Is it necessary to be a Christian to be saved?

Is it necessary to have a Christian faith to be saved and not go to hell? Is it possible for a Muslim to go to heaven? Or do the bible specifically say that they are all going to hell (Muslims, Jew, Buddhist, Hindu, Non-Believers)? My question is…
FFCoder
  • 1,007
  • 8
  • 18
  • 25
4
votes
2 answers

Must one believe that there is only one True and Living God to be saved?

Must one believe that there is only one True and Living God to be saved? Obviously the scripture states in various places that God is one (Deut 6:4, Isaiah 45:5), and I do believe this and I am fully convinced by it, but would it be possible for a…
Cloud9999Strife
  • 165
  • 6
1
2