The Doctrine of Salvation -- Soteriology

The Doctrine of Soteriology

The doctrine of soteriology is the doctrine of salvation. It involves the means by which God has intervened in the affairs of man to save him from the just punishment for our sins.

The Doctrine of Election

Election is the “that eternal act of God whereby He, in His sovereign good pleasure, and on account of no foreseen merit in them, chooses a certain number of men to be the recipients of special grace and of eternal salvation.”[1]

Essential truths embraced or contained in election:[2]
1. God has by Election chosen some to salvation, but not all (Rom.16:13; 2 Thess. 2:13; Eph. 1:4; 1Pet. 1:2; Rom. 9:23).
2. Election was accomplished in eternity past (Eph. 1:4; 2 Tim. 1:9; Acts 15:18; 2 Thess. 2:13-14).
3. Election does not rest merely on foreknowledge, it is also based on foreordination (Rom. 8:29; 1 Pet. 1:2; Rom. 11:5-6; 2 Thess. 2:13; Eph. 1:4; Rom. 9:10-13).
4. Divine election is immutable (2 Tim. 2:18-19; Rom 8:30).
5. Election is a part of and is related to Christ’s mediation (Jn. 3:16; Rev. 13:8; Rom. 11:34).

The Extent of the Atonement

There is disagreement among Christians on the extent of the atonement. There are scripture passages that point to a limited atonement (Eph. 1:4; 2 Tim. 1:9-10; John 17:9). Yet the passages on the unlimited nature of the atonement (not salvation) are definitive (Heb. 2:9; 1 Tim. 2:6-10; 4:10; Tit. 2:11; 1 John 2:2; 2 Pet. 3:9).

Justification

“Justification may be defined as that judicial act of God by which, on account of Christ, to whom the sinner is united by faith, He declares that sinner to be no longer exposed to the penalty of the law but restored to divine favor.”[3]

Elements and grounds of Justification:
1. The remission of punishment (Mic. 7:18, Ps. 130:4).
2. The restoration to favor (2 Cor. 5:18; John 1:12; Rom 8:15; Gal. 4-5; Eph. 1:5; 1 Jn. 3:2).
3. It is not by works (Acts 13:19; Rom. 3:20-25; 5:1-9; Gal. 2:16; 3:13 1 Pet. 2:24).

The Place of Grace, Faith, and Works

1. Man is saved by grace alone (Rom. 4:4; Eph 2:8-9; 2 Thess. 2:16; Tit 2:11; 3:7; 1 Pet. 5:10)
2. Faith is the means by which man responds to the call of God and is saved (Eph. 2:8-9; 1 Pet. 1:9).
3. Works have no place preceding salvation. Works are a sign of a vibrant faith and lack of works cannot be said to be evidence of a spurious faith (Eph. 2-10James 2:14-26; Heb. 10:24; Tit. 2:14; 3:8-14)

Security of the Believer

Reasons why believers are forever secure in Christ:
1. There is security is because it is based on the promises of God (Rom. 8:31-39).
2. God’s presence assumes that we are secure, since He is Holy (John 10:27-30).
3. Because of God’s power and role in the believer’s salvation is secure (1 Peter 1:3-5).
4. A grammatical understanding of the aorist tense point to security (Acts 16:31; Rom 4:3).


[1] Berkhof, L. Systematic Theology (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1941), Pg. 114.
[2] Chafer, Lewis Sperry Systematic Theology (Dallas TX: Dallas Seminary Press) Vol. III Pg. 172-175
[3] Pardington, George P. Outline Studies in Christian Doctrine (Harrisburg: Christian Publications 1926) Pg 316-317

The Doctrine of Sin

I had to recently do a Summary of various doctrines for my Systematic Theology class. They were to be limited to one page. So I thought it apt that I should post them here.

The Doctrine of Hamartiology

This doctrine deals with the origins of sin in man, as well as the effect sin has had upon mankind. Therefore this doctrine is the theology of sin.

The Definition of Sin

Sin is: [1]
1. Sin is the transgression of the law of God (Rom. 3:23; 4:15; 5:14; Gal.3:19).
2. Sin is a failure to reach or conform to God’s standard (Rom. 3:23; 14:23).
3. Sin is wrongful acts toward God and man (Rom. 1:18; Exod. 20:1-17);
4. Sin is a principle or the natural nature of man today (Rom. 7:14-15; Gal. 3:22; John 9:41; 15:24; 19:11).
5. Sin is rebellion against God (1 John 3:4; Titus 2:14; Matt. 24:12)

The Origin of Sin

The origin of sin was first found in Satan when he through pride saw himself equal with God (Isa. 14:12-17; Ezek. 28; 1 Tim. 3:6). Then in the Garden Satan deceived Eve to disobey God and to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Gen. 3). Yet while Eve was deceived Adam willingly chose to sin just as Satan had done before (Gen. 3:6)

The Effect Sin

The effect of the fall:
1. That while Adam was created in the image of God we now are begotten in the image of our father. Therefore the sin nature is passed from parent to children. (Gen. 5:3; Ps. 51:5).
2. The guilt of sin is placed upon all persons who remain apart from Christ. This is the doctrine of the imputation of sin in which we were all seminally present in Adam at the fall of man (Rom. 5:12-21; Heb. 7:9-10).
3. All have committed acts of sins themselves (Rom. 3:23) and as a result we are all sinners by nature and by conduct.
4. Man is spiritually dead (Eph. 2:1; Col. 2:13) and also awaits his physical death.
5. Man does not know God (Gal. 4:8); he has no gratitude towards God (Rom. 1:21); he has no desire for God (Rom. 3:11); he has no love for God (1 Jn. 4:10); he has no faith in God (Jn. 3:18); he has no fear of God (Rom. 3:18); he does not worship God (Rom. 1:21-25); he resists the truth (2 Tim. 3:8); he receives not the things of God (1 Cor. 2:14); he rejects the truth of God (2 Thess. 2:12); he disobeys God’s gospel (2 Thess. 1:8); he is an enemy of God (Rom. 5:10); his intellect is blinded (2 Cor. 4:4); and he is reprobate in actions and in thoughts (Rom. 1:28).

As a result of the nature of sin and the affect upon man we are unable to live a life of righteousness and therefore justly deserve eternal judgment by a Holy God. Thus one must conclude that it is only be the grace of God that salvation is even possible.

[1] This list is taken from the Moody Handbook of Theology by Paul Enns pg. 310.