Soteriology

Question 1

Antinomianism

Answer 1

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.

Question 2

Arminianism, Arminius

Answer 2

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.

Question 3

Assurance

Answer 3

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.

Question 4

Atonement

Answer 4

Refers to God’s act of dealing with the primary human problem, sin through Christ death.

*See penal substitution

Question 5

Augustine, Augustinianism

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

Call (general, special, effectual)

Answer 6

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.

Question 7

Calvinism, John Calvin

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Conversion

Answer 8

An individual’s initial encounter with God in Christ resulting in the reception of God’s gracious provision of salvation.

Question 9

Deification

Answer 9

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.

Question 10

Deposit of Faith

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Adoption

Answer 11

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.

Question 12

Depravity,

Total depravity

Answer 12

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.

Question 13

Election

Answer 13

A biblical word used to speak of God’s choosing of individuals or people to bring about God’s purposes.

Question 14

Exclusivism

Answer 14

Any theory that argues that salvation is found only in and through Jesus Christ to the exclusion of all other religions or beliefs.

Question 15

Expitiation

Answer 15

The belief that sin is canceled out by being covered over.

Question 16

Faith

Answer 16

A biblical word that refers both to intellectual belief and to relational trust or commitment.

Question 17

Glorification

Answer 17

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.

Question 18

Grace (common, efficacious, prevenient)

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

Imputation

Answer 19

A transfer of benefit or harm from one individual to another.

Question 20

Justification

Answer 20

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”

Question 21

Original sin

Answer 21

The state of alienation from God into which all humans are born.

Question 22

Penal-substitution theory

Answer 22

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.

Question 23

Perseverance of the Saints

Answer 23

The mandate in scripture to remain steadfast in the love of God and to patiently endure hardship, particularly in the face of persecution.

Question 24

Predestination

Answer 24

The sovereign determination and foreknowledge of God

Question 25

Prevenient Grace

Answer 25

The gracious action of God, displayed in Christ but present in the lives of human through through the Holy Spirit, which precedes human response to God’s initiative.

Question 26

Propitiation

Answer 26

An offering that turns away the wrath of God directed against sin

Question 27

Ransom theory of atonement

Answer 27

The view that through sin people belong to the authority of Satan and that to remedy the situation God offered his Son as a ransom for mankind.

Question 28

Reconciliation

Answer 28

A change in relationship or attitude from enmity to peace; the cessation of hostility in attitude or action.

Question 29

Redemption

Answer 29

The process by which sinful humans are “bought back” from the bondage of sin into relationship with God through grace by the “payment” of Jesus’s death.

Question 30

Regeneration

Answer 30

The rebirth or re-creation of fallen human beings by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Question 31

Righteousness

Answer 31

God’s right and just character, actions, and judgements.

Question 32

Salvation

Answer 32

God’s deliverance of humans from the power and effects of sin and the Fall through the work of Jesus Christ so that creation and humans may enjoy the fullness of life that God intended.

Question 33

Sanctification

Answer 33

“To be set apart” of “to be made holy”. The mature is twofold in that Christians have been made holy through Christ and are called to continue to grow into and strive for holiness with through cooperation with the Holy Spirit until they enjoy complete conformity with Christ.

Question 34

Satisfaction theory of atonement

Answer 34

An understanding of the work of Christ based on the metaphor of God as a sovereign who, having been dishonored by sin, must receive satisfaction. Humans perpetuated the insult through sin.

Question 35

Sola fide

Answer 35

“Faith only”. The only way to be justified and receive God’s grace is through faith by accepting Christ’s merits on our own behalf

Question 36

Sola gratia

Answer 36

“Grace only”. Salvation is God’s free gift accomplished by Christ’s saving death and resurrection rather than by human action.

Question 37

Vicarious (atonement)

Answer 37

“In place of”. Jesus died “for us”, he took on himself the consequences of human sin, though his sacrificial, substitutionary death

Question 38

Internal testimony of the Spirit

Answer 38

The working of the Holy Spirit in bringing about human confidence in the truthfulness of Scripture regarding God’s promises of salvation to all who exercise faith in Christ.