Kilmer 1 William Kilmer Phil 2200.

01 August 27, 2012 Word Count: 536 Response Paper: Christian Doctrine of Salvation Salvation is ultimately the most essential question in determining the way a person lives their life. What we believe about what will happen after we die should determine the way that we live our lives. In the modern day western world the most commonly articulated belief falls within the Christian view of salvation. This doctrine is one that is based on the teachings from the Bible and is based upon faith in the Jesus Christ. Prior to Christian ideology there was the Stoic doctrine of salvation. This belief did not see God as a man or Supreme Being, but rather as the Word or logos which was the universal reason, which ordered all things. The Stoics doctrine of salvation was that to achieve meaning and purpose you needed to live in harmony with nature and the natural order. Stoics did not believe in a literal version of heaven or hell. They instead placed an importance on virtue and finding your place in the world so that in your life you could achieve the most if you kept in harmony with nature. The Christian view of salvation comes from Scripture. This view is commonly referred to as the Gospel or the good news. This Good News is that While we were still sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5:8) and that the wages of sing is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

Kilmer 2 Scripture also promises that we will be unhindered from the glory of God in heaven and that we will be with the Lord Jesus and worship him forever. The entire book of Revelation is the apostle Johns account of Jesus Christ appearing to him and giving him a glimpse into what the literal heaven would be like. In regards to the Christian doctrine concerning love, the answer is simple on paper, but far more difficult in real life. Christians believe that through the supreme act of love, Christ dying on the cross for our sins, that we should see the world and everyone in it with grace and the love that was first shown through Christ. There is somewhat of a split on the belief in how free humans are to choose salvation. On one side Arminian theology says that God has given total free will in regards to salvation. On the other side, Calvinistic theology states that while God has given some free will, He is the ultimate decider of who will gain eternal life. Christians on both sides, however, agree that faith in Christ is a gift from God and that we are called to respond to the message of salvation because of what Christ has done for us. The Christian doctrine of salvation progressed past the Stoic doctrine of salvation because it provided a better alternative for all people. The Stoics believed that those of a higher intelligence level should be more highly regarded and that everyone should know their place. But the Christian doctrine said that God has given talents and abilities to people but they can all find worth and meaning through Jesus Christ.

Kilmer 3 Bibliography Ferry, Luc. A Brief History of Thought. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2011.