Theology II: Salvation and the Holy Spirit Study Guide

A comprehensive vocabulary review of core doctrines covering salvation, justification, sanctification, election, and pneumatology based on the Theology II exam study guide.

Biblical View of Salvation

The overarching reality that is biblically summed up by the single word grace.

Martin Luther's Former View of "the Righteousness of God"

Luther's initial understanding of the phrase in Romans 1:17 as God's condemnation and punishment of sinners.

Martin Luther's Latter View of "the Righteousness of God"

Luther's reformed understanding of Romans 1:17 where God's righteousness is a gracious gift by which He freely gives righteousness to believers.

Nature of Justification

A legal act of God in which He declares believers not guilty but righteous on the basis of Christ's work.

Basis of Justification

The merits of Jesus Christ alone, rather than personal human worth, works, or any actual righteousness residing within the believer.

Means of Justification

Faith (comprising both belief and trust), which is a gift from God, comes through community, operates as a response, and functions like a wedding bond.

Catholic View of Justification

The theological stance that justification comes through faith and works, functioning as both an initial event and an ongoing process maintained through deeds and the sacraments.

Traditional Protestant View of Justification

The theological stance held by the professor affirming that justification occurs through faith alone.

Children of God (True vs. False)

True in the sense that God is the Creator and therefore father of all things; false in the spiritual sense because only Christians are adopted into God's family and made co-heirs with Christ.

Confidence in Prayer (Adoption Privilege)

A privilege of divine adoption wherein the believer rests in the assurance that God's disposition toward them is yes, delight, and generosity.

Positional Sanctification

The objective stage or aspect of sanctification in which God sets believers apart simply because they reside in Christ.

Progressive Sanctification

The ongoing stage or process of sanctification where a believer gradually becomes more like Christ over the course of life.

Completed Sanctification

The final stage or aspect of sanctification that is fully realized when believers see Christ face-to-face.

Wesleyan / Holiness View of Sanctification

The theological position affirming Christian Perfection as an instantaneous, post-conversion experience characterized by pure love for God and neighbor and an absence of intentional sins.

Keswick View of Sanctification

A perspective centered on a post-conversion "crisis moment" in which the Christian completely surrenders to Christ as Lord.

Arminian View of Election

The belief that election is based on God's foreknowledge (God chooses that those who believe will be saved), is corporate rather than individual, and is appointed to service rather than salvation.

Reformed View of Election

The belief that election is based chiefly on God's good pleasure, is both corporate and individual, and is designated for both service and salvation.

Arguments for Unconditional Election

Arguments supporting the Reformed position stating it is consistent with God's character, most consistent with divine sovereignty, and affirms that salvation is not based on human design or doing.

Argument Against Unconditional Election

The objection stating that if God chooses individuals unconditionally, humans lack significant free will and moral responsibility.

Old Testament Works of the Spirit

Activities of the Spirit in the Old Testament, which prominently include involvement in creation and the anointing of figures such as King David.

Four "P"s of the Spirit's Work

Presence (representing God's presence among His people), Power (empowering God's people to achieve His purposes), Purity (purifying and renewing God's people), and Prophecy (granting prophetic speech to chosen individuals).

Connection of Jesus to the Spirit

In the Old Testament, the Messiah is promised to have the Spirit rest upon Him (Isaiah 11:1–4); in the New Testament, the Spirit is connected to Jesus in His incarnation, baptism, temptation, ministry, and resurrection.

Joel 2:28 Connection to Acts

The Old Testament prophetic promise that the Spirit of God would be poured out on all of God's people, fulfilled through Jesus and the events recorded in Acts.

Old Testament Experience of the Spirit

Characterized by an anointing that could be withdrawn, granted to select leaders, restricted mainly to Jews, and described as the Spirit "coming upon" rather than dwelling in close relationship with people.

New Testament Experience of the Spirit

Characterized by the permanent presence of the Spirit, poured out upon all believers (both Jews and Gentiles), and indwelling believers with a particular closeness.

Personhood of the Holy Spirit

Biblically established by evidence showing that the Spirit possesses personal attributes and engages in personal activities.

Deity of the Holy Spirit

Biblically grounded by the interchangeable use of "Spirit" and "God," the possession of divine attributes, and the performance of divine works.

Filioque Controversy

The theological dispute surrounding the addition of the phrase "and the Son" (filioque) to the Western version of the Nicene Creed regarding the procession of the Holy Spirit.

Pentecostal View of Spirit Baptism

The stance that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is available to all but experienced by only some, occurs after conversion, and is evidenced by speaking in tongues.

Professor's View of Spirit Baptism

The position that the baptism of the Holy Spirit occurs at conversion, is experienced by all believers, and is not normally accompanied by speaking in tongues.

Ministries of the Spirit for Believers

Key spiritual works including enabling individuals to confess Jesus as Lord (1 Cor 12:3), creating and sustaining unity among Christians, and bringing about the beginning and completion of salvation.

Phillip Cary's Argument on God Speaking Today

The theological argument asserting that God does not speak to believers audibly today, but speaks through the Bible.

Augustine's Equated Terms for the Spirit

The two designations "Love" and "gift of God" that Augustine uses interchangeably to describe the Holy Spirit (with Kelly Kapic referring to the Spirit by at least one of these).

Two Ways to Speak of God's "Will"

The distinction recognized by Cary and the professor categorizing God's will into His revealed will and His hidden will.

Nicene Creed (381) Clause on the Holy Spirit

"We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets."