I’m taking a Soteriology class. It’s part of my efforts to complete my degree in Church Ministries through Global University.

What’s soteriology?

It’s the study of the doctrine of salvation.

As I started the course, I began to wonder whether most Christians really understood what it means to be ‘saved’. We all know that we made some sort of decision to follow Christ. However, it seems to me that few really understand what salvation means, or how it affects us.

Certainly lots of people can throw around favorite verses that help illustrate core beliefs they have about their salvation. But I also know that unless your house is built upon the rock, then it’s easy for the house to fall when life’s challenges come.

So I want to share some of what I’m learning about salvation. It’s not my intent to teach a soteriology class. But I will share some key thoughts and ideas from each lesson. I may also dig a little into personal impacts of some of these ideas, especially as they relate to application in our culture.

And within each post, I hope to share LOTS of links to other resources that’ll help you dig deeper too… if you want. Otherwise, feel free to enjoy the musings of a dude working through another cool theology class.

Preliminary Considerations

• The Background of Salvation
• The Will of God in Salvation

The Activity of Man in Salvation

• Man Changes His Mind: Repentance
• Man Trusts in God: Faith
• Man Turns to God: Conversion

The Activity of God in Salvation

• God Makes Man a New Creation: Regeneration
• God Declares Man Not Guilty: Justification
• God Takes Man Into His Family: Adoption

Goals in Salvation

• Perfecting Man’s Nature: Sanctification
• Maintaining Salvation: Perseverance
• Accomplishing God’s Purpose: Prayer
• The Ultimate Goal: Glorification

Other Course Work

• Four Major Doctrines of Soteriology: Regeneration, Justification, Adoption, and Sanctification (paper)
• Connecting the Course with the Church (service learning requirement)