Soteriology Flashcards
Antinomianism
An ethical system that denies the binding nature of any supposedly absolute or external laws on individual behavior. Generally rejected by Christian theology because we still have a responsibility to obey law of love and service to one another.
Arminianism, Arminius
Unlike Calvinists, Arminius taught predestination was based on God’s foreknowledge in seeing whether an individual would freely accept or reject Christ. Also believed salvation could be freely lost.
Assurance
The doctrine that teaches the possibility of Christians’ knowing that they truly are children of God.
The apostle John taught assurance comes from an obedient Christian life and thought the abiding presence and inner testimony of the Holy Spirit.
Atonement
Refers to God’s act of dealing with the primary human problem, sin through Christ death.
*See penal substitution
Augustine, Augustinianism
One of the greatest theologians in the history of the church, he was influential in the development of the Western church’s understanding of the doctrines of the Trinity, sin, predestination, and the church.
Call (general, special, effectual)
The act by which God extends to humans an invitation to enter into a saving relationship.
General: God’s invitation goes out to all people through general revelation
Special: spirit of God working specifically in the heart of an individual through the Gospel preached
Effectual: the spirit’s application of grace such that an individual receives forgiveness of sin and eternal life.
Calvinism, John Calvin
The theological system of thought centered around the sovereignty of God. The acronym of Calvinism is TULIP.
Total depravity Unconditional election Limited atonement Irresistible grace Perseverance of the saints
Conversion
An individual’s initial encounter with God in Christ resulting in the reception of God’s gracious provision of salvation.
Deification
Deification is used to describe the salvation of a believer. There is a distinction between the deification (“sharer” of the divine nature) and the deity of Christ.
Deposit of Faith
The sum total of the teaching of the prophets and apostles about the way of salvation through Jesus Christ, which has been written down in Scripture and is to be faithfully interpreted by the church through the help of the Holy Spirit
Adoption
God’s act of making otherwise estranged human beings part of God’s spiritual family by inviting them as inheritors of the riches of divine glory.
Depravity,
Total depravity
Depravity refers to both the damaged relationship between God and humans and to the corruption of human nature such that there is within every human and ongoing tendency toward sin.
Total depravity refers to the extent and comprehensiveness of the effects of sin on all humans such that they are unable to anything to receive salvation. They are totally incapable of saving themselves.
Election
A biblical word used to speak of God’s choosing of individuals or people to bring about God’s purposes.
Exclusivism
Any theory that argues that salvation is found only in and through Jesus Christ to the exclusion of all other religions or beliefs.
Expitiation
The belief that sin is canceled out by being covered over.
Faith
A biblical word that refers both to intellectual belief and to relational trust or commitment.
Glorification
The last stage in the process of salvation, namely, the resurrection of the body at the second coming of Jesus Christ and the entrance into eternal kingdom of God. Sin and death will be no more with believers.
Grace (common, efficacious, prevenient)
One of the central concepts of scripture, grace speaks of God’s loving actions toward mankind.
Common: God’s extension of favor to all people through providential care, regardless of whether or not they acknowledge and love God.
Efficacious: the special application of grace to a person who comes by faith to Christ for salvation. It is the special act of God that brings about the true salvation in a person.
Prevenient: the Wesleyan idea that God has enabled all people everywhere to respond favorably to the gospel if they so choose.
Imputation
A transfer of benefit or harm from one individual to another.
Justification
A legal term related to the idea of acquittal, refers to the divine act whereby God makes humans, who are sinful, condemned, to be acceptable before a righteous and holy God.
“Justification by grace through faith”
Original sin
The state of alienation from God into which all humans are born.
Penal-substitution theory
Speaks of sin as the breaking of God’s law, for which the penalty is death. Hence on the cross Christ suffered the death penalty in the sinner’s place and so appeased the wrath of God.
Perseverance of the Saints
The mandate in scripture to remain steadfast in the love of God and to patiently endure hardship, particularly in the face of persecution.
Predestination
The sovereign determination and foreknowledge of God
