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Salvation

2007-04-19T19:19:07Z

Deaconsbench:

'''Salvation''' is a word commonly used to describe the goal of [[Christian]]s. Salvation is also called "Eternal Life" and "Life Everlasting." Salvation should not be confused with [[Heaven]] nor with the [[Resurrection]]. But before Salvation can be considered one must know what one is being saved from.

'''[[Sin]]'''

In short, sin and its consequence death are the things Christians seek salvation from. Simply put, sin is wrong doing. In the Words of St. John the Evangelist, "''Everyone who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that Christ appeared to take away sins, and in Him there is no sin. No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has either seen Him nor known Him. Little children, let no one deceive you. He who does right is righteous, as He is righteous. He who commits sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. No one born of God commits sin; for God's nature abides in him, and he cannot sin because he is born of God. By this it may be seen who are children of Cod, and who are children of the devil; whoever does not do right is not of God, nor he who does not love his brother'' (1 Jn 3:4-10).

'''Salvation in the New Testament'''

In the New Testement it is possible to see that people are saved by repentence and baptism (Acts 2:38), belief (John 3:16), calling on the Lord (Romans 10:13), giving to the poor (Matthew 25:31-46), destruction of the flesh by Satan (1 Corinthians 5:5), the life of Jesus (Romans 5:10), child bearing (1 Timothy 2:15), belief and baptism (Mark 16:16), and faith (Luke 7:50).

'''[[Atonement]]'''

According to Christians the key event necessary for salvation is atonement. Atonement can be understood as that act which makes salvation possible. The act of atonement is the Crucifixion of Jesus. There are several theories that try to explain exactly how the the Crucifixion atones. They include the ''Cristus Victor Theory'', the ''Ransom Theory'', and the ''Satisfaction Theory''.

'''Salvation in Calvinist Thought'''

In Calvinist theology human beings have no ability to influence whether or not they will be saved. Essentially, because man is totally depraved he is unwilling and unable to do any of the things required to be saved. Not even whether or not to believe or have faith in Jesus is within the power of man. Therefore, if anyone is to be saved, God must save them. In Calvinist soteriology, God saves some people by predestinating them to have faith in Jesus and repent of their sins. This idea is developed out of Martin Luther's theology, notably in ''Bondage of the Will'' and his ''Commenatry on Romans'' in which he side-steps the issue of predestination but not depravity.

Biblical support comes from many passages, inclusive of these:

Ephesians 1:4-6 (King James Version)

4 [[According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world]], that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

5 [[Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will]],

6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Ephesians 1:10-12 (King James Version)

10 That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, [[being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will]]:

12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

The five points of Calvinism are:

[edit] Total depravity

Main article: Total depravity

Also called "radical depravity" and "total inability", this point means that every person is corrupt and sinful throughout in all of his or her faculties, including the mind and will. Thus, no person is able to do what is truly good in God's eyes, but rather, everyone does evil all the time. As a result of this corruption, man is enslaved to sin, rebellious and hostile toward God, blind to truth, and unable to save himself or even prepare himself for salvation.

[edit] Unconditional election

Main article: Unconditional election

Election means "choice." God's choice from eternity past, of whom he will bring to himself, is not based on foreseen virtue, merit, or faith in the persons he chooses but rather is unconditionally grounded in his own sovereign decision.

[edit] Limited atonement

Main article: Limited atonement

Also called "particular redemption" or "definite atonement", the doctrine of the limited atonement is the teaching that Jesus' atonement was definite and certain in its design and accomplishment. It teaches that the atonement was intended to render complete satisfaction for those and only those whom the Father had chosen before the foundation of the world. Calvinists do not believe that the atonement is limited in its value or power (if the Father had willed it, all the people of all generations could be saved), but rather they believe that the atonement is limited in that it is designed for some and not all.

[edit] Irresistible grace

Main article: Irresistible grace

Also known as "effectual grace", this doctrine does not hold that every influence of God's Holy Spirit cannot be resisted but that the Holy Spirit is able to overcome all resistance and make his influence irresistible and effective. Thus, when God sovereignly purposes to save someone, that individual certainly will be saved.

[edit] Perseverance of the saints

Main article: Perseverance of the saints

Also called the "preservation of the saints" or "eternal security," the fifth point teaches that those whom God has called into communion with himself will continue in faith until the end. Those who apparently fall away either never had true faith to begin with or will return. This is slightly different from the "once saved, always saved" view prevalent in some evangelical churches in which, despite apostasy or unrepentant and habitual sin, the individual is truly saved if he or she had truly accepted Christ in the past; in traditional Calvinist teaching, apostasy by such a person may be proof that they never were saved.

'''Theosis'''

The Orthodox Church has an understanding of salvation that is different from both [[Protestant]]s and Roman Catholics. They understand salvation, not so much as having sins forgiven but as becoming like God in a process called Theosis. The idea is ancient, as can be see in [[New Testament]] and patristic texts such as these:

''"Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."'' -- 1 Peter 2:14

''"We are not made gods from the beginning; first we are mere humans, then we become gods."'' --St. Irenaeus of Lyons, Adv Haer III IV:38:4

''"Let us become the image of the one whole God, bearing nothing earthly in ourselves, so that we may consort with God and become gods, receiving from God our existence as gods"'' --St. Maximus the Confessor, On Theology, 7.73

''"For the Son of God became man, that we might become God.''" --St. Athanasius of Alexandria, On The Incarnation.

The Orthodox see the Sacraments (which they call the Holy Mysteries) as the main way a person attains theosis and is saved.

Salvation

2007-04-19T19:17:46Z

Deaconsbench:

'''Salvation''' is a word commonly used to describe the goal of [[Christian]]s. Salvation is also called "Eternal Life" and "Life Everlasting." Salvation should not be confused with [[Heaven]] nor with the [[Resurrection]]. But before Salvation can be considered one must know what one is being saved from.

'''[[Sin]]'''

In short, sin and its consequence death are the things Christians seek salvation from. Simply put, sin is wrong doing. In the Words of St. John the Evangelist, "''Everyone who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that Christ appeared to take away sins, and in Him there is no sin. No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has either seen Him nor known Him. Little children, let no one deceive you. He who does right is righteous, as He is righteous. He who commits sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. No one born of God commits sin; for God's nature abides in him, and he cannot sin because he is born of God. By this it may be seen who are children of Cod, and who are children of the devil; whoever does not do right is not of God, nor he who does not love his brother'' (1 Jn 3:4-10).

'''Salvation in the New Testament'''

In the New Testement it is possible to see that people are saved by repentence and baptism (Acts 2:38), belief (John 3:16), calling on the Lord (Romans 10:13), giving to the poor (Matthew 25:31-46), destruction of the flesh by Satan (1 Corinthians 5:5), the life of Jesus (Romans 5:10), child bearing (1 Timothy 2:15), belief and baptism (Mark 16:16), and faith (Luke 7:50).

'''[[Atonement]]'''

According to Christians the key event necessary for salvation is atonement. Atonement can be understood as that act which makes salvation possible. The act of atonement is the Crucifixion of Jesus. There are several theories that try to explain exactly how the the Crucifixion atones. They include the ''Cristus Victor Theory'', the ''Ransom Theory'', and the ''Satisfaction Theory''.

'''Salvation in Calvinist Thought'''

In Calvinist theology human beings have no ability to influence whether or not they will be saved. Essentially, because man is totally depraved he is unwilling and unable to do any of the things required to be saved. Not even whether or not to believe or have faith in Jesus is within the power of man. Therefore, if anyone is to be saved, God must save them. In Calvinist soteriology, God saves some people by predestinating them to have faith in Jesus and repent of their sins. This idea is developed out of Martin Luther's theology, notably in ''Bondage of the Will'' and his ''Commenatry on Romans'' in which he side-steps the issue of predestination but not depravity.

Biblical support comes from many passages, especially these:

Ephesians 1:4-6 (King James Version)

4 [[According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world]], that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

5 [[Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will]],

6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Ephesians 1:10-12 (King James Version)

10 That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, [[being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will]]:

12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

The five points of Calvinism are:

[edit] Total depravity

Main article: Total depravity

Also called "radical depravity" and "total inability", this point means that every person is corrupt and sinful throughout in all of his or her faculties, including the mind and will. Thus, no person is able to do what is truly good in God's eyes, but rather, everyone does evil all the time. As a result of this corruption, man is enslaved to sin, rebellious and hostile toward God, blind to truth, and unable to save himself or even prepare himself for salvation.

[edit] Unconditional election

Main article: Unconditional election

Election means "choice." God's choice from eternity past, of whom he will bring to himself, is not based on foreseen virtue, merit, or faith in the persons he chooses but rather is unconditionally grounded in his own sovereign decision.

[edit] Limited atonement

Main article: Limited atonement

Also called "particular redemption" or "definite atonement", the doctrine of the limited atonement is the teaching that Jesus' atonement was definite and certain in its design and accomplishment. It teaches that the atonement was intended to render complete satisfaction for those and only those whom the Father had chosen before the foundation of the world. Calvinists do not believe that the atonement is limited in its value or power (if the Father had willed it, all the people of all generations could be saved), but rather they believe that the atonement is limited in that it is designed for some and not all.

[edit] Irresistible grace

Main article: Irresistible grace

Also known as "effectual grace", this doctrine does not hold that every influence of God's Holy Spirit cannot be resisted but that the Holy Spirit is able to overcome all resistance and make his influence irresistible and effective. Thus, when God sovereignly purposes to save someone, that individual certainly will be saved.

[edit] Perseverance of the saints

Main article: Perseverance of the saints

Also called the "preservation of the saints" or "eternal security," the fifth point teaches that those whom God has called into communion with himself will continue in faith until the end. Those who apparently fall away either never had true faith to begin with or will return. This is slightly different from the "once saved, always saved" view prevalent in some evangelical churches in which, despite apostasy or unrepentant and habitual sin, the individual is truly saved if he or she had truly accepted Christ in the past; in traditional Calvinist teaching, apostasy by such a person may be proof that they never were saved.

'''Theosis'''

The Orthodox Church has an understanding of salvation that is different from both [[Protestant]]s and Roman Catholics. They understand salvation, not so much as having sins forgiven but as becoming like God in a process called Theosis. The idea is ancient, as can be see in [[New Testament]] and patristic texts such as these:

''"Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."'' -- 1 Peter 2:14

''"We are not made gods from the beginning; first we are mere humans, then we become gods."'' --St. Irenaeus of Lyons, Adv Haer III IV:38:4

''"Let us become the image of the one whole God, bearing nothing earthly in ourselves, so that we may consort with God and become gods, receiving from God our existence as gods"'' --St. Maximus the Confessor, On Theology, 7.73

''"For the Son of God became man, that we might become God.''" --St. Athanasius of Alexandria, On The Incarnation.

The Orthodox see the Sacraments (which they call the Holy Mysteries) as the main way a person attains theosis and is saved.

Salvation

2007-04-10T16:55:15Z

Deaconsbench:

'''Salvation''' is a word commonly used to describe the goal of [[Christian]]s. Salvation is also called "Eternal Life" and "Life Everlasting." Salvation should not be confused with [[Heaven]] nor with the [[Resurrection]]. But before Salvation can be considered one must know what one is being saved from.

'''[[Sin]]'''

In short, sin and its consequence death are the things Christians seek salvation from. Simply put, sin is wrong doing. In the Words of St. John the Evangelist, "''Everyone who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that Christ appeared to take away sins, and in Him there is no sin. No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has either seen Him nor known Him. Little children, let no one deceive you. He who does right is righteous, as He is righteous. He who commits sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. No one born of God commits sin; for God's nature abides in him, and he cannot sin because he is born of God. By this it may be seen who are children of Cod, and who are children of the devil; whoever does not do right is not of God, nor he who does not love his brother'' (1 Jn 3:4-10).

'''Salvation in the New Testament'''

In the New Testement it is possible to see that people are saved by repentence and baptism (Acts 2:38), belief (John 3:16), calling on the Lord (Romans 10:13), giving to the poor (Matthew 25:31-46), destruction of the flesh by Satan (1 Corinthians 5:5), the life of Jesus (Romans 5:10), child bearing (1 Timothy 2:15), belief and baptism (Mark 16:16), and faith (Luke 7:50).

'''[[Atonement]]'''

According to Christians the key event necessary for salvation is atonement. Atonement can be understood as that act which makes salvation possible. The act of atonement is the Crucifixion of Jesus. There are several theories that try to explain exactly how the the Crucifixion atones. They include the ''Cristus Victor Theory'', the ''Ransom Theory'', and the ''Satisfaction Theory''.

'''Salvation in Calvinist Thought'''

In Calvinist theology human beings have no ability to influence whether or not they will be saved. Essentially, because man is totally depraved he is unwilling and unable to do any of the things required to be saved. Not even whether or not to believe or have faith in Jesus is within the power of man. Therefore, if anyone is to be saved, God must save them. In Calvinist soteriology, God saves some people by predestinating them to have faith in Jesus and repent of their sins. This idea is developed out of Martin Luther's theology, notably in ''Bondage of the Will'' and his ''Commenatry on Romans'' in which he side-steps the issue of predestination but not depravity.

The five points of Calvinism are:

[edit] Total depravity

Main article: Total depravity

Also called "radical depravity" and "total inability", this point means that every person is corrupt and sinful throughout in all of his or her faculties, including the mind and will. Thus, no person is able to do what is truly good in God's eyes, but rather, everyone does evil all the time. As a result of this corruption, man is enslaved to sin, rebellious and hostile toward God, blind to truth, and unable to save himself or even prepare himself for salvation.

[edit] Unconditional election

Main article: Unconditional election

Election means "choice." God's choice from eternity past, of whom he will bring to himself, is not based on foreseen virtue, merit, or faith in the persons he chooses but rather is unconditionally grounded in his own sovereign decision.

[edit] Limited atonement

Main article: Limited atonement

Also called "particular redemption" or "definite atonement", the doctrine of the limited atonement is the teaching that Jesus' atonement was definite and certain in its design and accomplishment. It teaches that the atonement was intended to render complete satisfaction for those and only those whom the Father had chosen before the foundation of the world. Calvinists do not believe that the atonement is limited in its value or power (if the Father had willed it, all the people of all generations could be saved), but rather they believe that the atonement is limited in that it is designed for some and not all.

[edit] Irresistible grace

Main article: Irresistible grace

Also known as "effectual grace", this doctrine does not hold that every influence of God's Holy Spirit cannot be resisted but that the Holy Spirit is able to overcome all resistance and make his influence irresistible and effective. Thus, when God sovereignly purposes to save someone, that individual certainly will be saved.

[edit] Perseverance of the saints

Main article: Perseverance of the saints

Also called the "preservation of the saints" or "eternal security," the fifth point teaches that those whom God has called into communion with himself will continue in faith until the end. Those who apparently fall away either never had true faith to begin with or will return. This is slightly different from the "once saved, always saved" view prevalent in some evangelical churches in which, despite apostasy or unrepentant and habitual sin, the individual is truly saved if he or she had truly accepted Christ in the past; in traditional Calvinist teaching, apostasy by such a person may be proof that they never were saved.

'''Theosis'''

The Orthodox Church has an understanding of salvation that is different from both [[Protestant]]s and Roman Catholics. They understand salvation, not so much as having sins forgiven but as becoming like God in a process called Theosis. The idea is ancient, as can be see in [[New Testament]] and patristic texts such as these:

''"Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."'' -- 1 Peter 2:14

''"We are not made gods from the beginning; first we are mere humans, then we become gods."'' --St. Irenaeus of Lyons, Adv Haer III IV:38:4

''"Let us become the image of the one whole God, bearing nothing earthly in ourselves, so that we may consort with God and become gods, receiving from God our existence as gods"'' --St. Maximus the Confessor, On Theology, 7.73

''"For the Son of God became man, that we might become God.''" --St. Athanasius of Alexandria, On The Incarnation.

The Orthodox see the Sacraments (which they call the Holy Mysteries) as the main way a person attains theosis and is saved.

Death

2007-04-10T16:50:25Z

Deaconsbench:

Death is the end of a living thing's life. What death is and what occurs after death is a matter of some debate, particularly where religion is involved, since due to the inherent nature of religion, it means nobody can agree on anything.

The most reasonable assumption is that nothing happens after one dies and the body simply rots away (this would imply people do not have spirits or souls). However, since death is something people fear to varying degrees (and is a matter of taboo in some cultures), they require something comforting to help them deal with the idea they will die at some point. Generally this comfort is provided by religions, which deal with the issue in different ways. The concept of the afterlife is reassuring, despite the inability to prove or disprove the claims - as, by definition, no one can return to confirm the myths.

As the body of the deceased remains observably dead and eventually decomposes, afterlife belief requires the concept of a [[soul]] - a version of the deceased which continues to exist in some form after death. Although no soul has ever been detected, its existance is assumed due to the difficulty of accepting existence without an afterlife, and the resulting tendency to clutch at straw.

==Religious Interpretations==

[[Christians]] believe only their bodies die, not their souls. They believe they have everlasting life in either heaven or hell once their corporal life has ended.

''Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

I am that bread of life.''

- John 5:46-48 King James Version

Other religions, such as Paganism, believe in reincarnation - the body will die but the soul will be transferred into a new-born, and they will live again.
[[category:religion]][[category:culture]]

Comfort

2007-04-10T16:47:34Z

Deaconsbench: New page: A chapter in the Holy Bible that speaks to comfort. 2 Corinthians 1 (King James Version) King James Version (KJV) 1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our b...

A chapter in the Holy Bible that speaks to comfort.

2 Corinthians 1 (King James Version)
King James Version (KJV)

1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:

2Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

3Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

4Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

5For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

6And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

7And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.

8For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:

9But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:

10Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;

11Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.

12For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

13For we write none other things unto you, that what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end;

14As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are our's in the day of the Lord Jesus.

15And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye might have a second benefit;

16And to pass by you into Macedonia, and to come again out of Macedonia unto you, and of you to be brought on my way toward Judaea.

17When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay?

18But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.

19For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea.

20For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

21Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;

22Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

23Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.

24Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.