Christian soteriology

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Christian Soteriology is the branch of Christian theology that deals with salvation.^[1] It is derived from the Greek sōtērion (salvation) (from sōtēr savior, preserver) + English -logy.^[2] For similar concepts in other religions, see Salvation.

Christian soteriology traditionally focuses on how God ends the separation people have from him due to sin by reconciling them with himself. (Rom. 5:10-11). Christians receive the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38), life (Rom. 8:11), and salvation (1 Thess. 5:9) bought by Jesus through his innocent suffering, death, and resurrection from the dead three days later (Matt. 28). This grace in Christ (1 Cor. 1:4) is received not by works but through faith (Eph. 2:8-9) in Him (Gal. 3:22, Rom. 10:9), which is brought about by hearing God's Word (Rom. 10:17). Some Christians teach the reception of Christ by grace alone through faith alone (Eph 2:8-9). Catholics and the Orthodox have always taken a holistic view which states that grace is bestowed both by one's faith and one's works (James 2:14-26).

The different soteriologies found within the Christian tradition can be grouped into distinct schools: the Catholics and Orthodox on Justification, the Church, the Sacraments, and the freedom of the will; Arminianism's synergism; Calvinism's predestination; and a large range [1] of Lutheran doctrine, including conversion [2], Justification by grace alone through faith alone [3], the Means of Grace [4], and the Church [5].