Doctrine of Salvation and Predestination

Vocabulary terms and definitions related to the Doctrine of Salvation, historical theological views, and the specific tenets of Calvinism and Arminianism.

Soteriology

study of salvation

Foreknowledge

advanced knowledge of God not time bound

Predestination

choosing for salvation or eternal destruction

Election

choosing some for eternal life

Pelagius

A historical figure who taught that every person is born with a will that is not corrupt, Adam’s sin only set an example, and it is possible to live without sin.

Augustine

Theologian who held that human nature became corrupt after Adam sinned and that choosing good is a consequence of what God has done.

Double predestinationism

The belief associated with Augustine that God chose some for salvation and others for condemnation.

Anselm

Theologian who proposed that the one who can only choose right is freer than the one who can choose wrong.

John Calvin

Theologian who taught that God sovereignly chooses some and that knowledge of one's election leads one to pursue holiness.

Jacob (James) Arminius

Theologian who taught that God appointed all who repent and believe to be saved and gave all people sufficient grace to do so.

Total depravity

The first point of the Calvinist TULIP acronym, referring to the extent of human sinfulness.

Unconditional election

The Calvinist belief that God elects some from eternity based on His sovereignty and grace, independent of human merit or action.

Limited atonement

The Calvinist belief that the atonement only applies to some (the elect).

Irresistible grace

The Calvinist belief that when God extends the grace to believe, it cannot be rejected.

Perseverance of the saints

The Calvinist belief that election cannot be undone.

Supralapsarianism

A logical order of decrees where the decree to save some and condemn others precedes the decree to create and the decree to permit the fall.

Infralapsarianism

A logical order of decrees where the decree to create and permit the fall precedes the decree to save some and condemn others.

Sublapsarianism

A logical order of decrees where God decrees to provide salvation sufficient for all before choosing some to receive it.

Prevenient grace

The Arminian concept that God provides grace to all people, making them able to believe.

Middle Way

An approach that seeks a balance between God’s sovereignty and man’s free will, and between election and belief.