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Line 49: − + − + − 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: − − ===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. − − ===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. − − ===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. − − ===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. − − ===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 − − − − ''"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.
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:''And if anyone was not found having been written in the Book of Life, he was cast into the Lake of Fire.'' (''Revelation'', 20:15)
:''And if anyone was not found having been written in the Book of Life, he was cast into the Lake of Fire.'' (''Revelation'', 20:15)
===Atonement===
==The only remedy for sin==
In the few days just before the Exodus from Egypt, God told Moses what the final plague would be against the Egyptians keeping them in bondage: the death of the first-born male children (''Exodus'', ch. 11).
''"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