John Calvin’s soteriology, also known as Calvinism, emphasizes the sovereignty of God in salvation. Calvin taught that humanity is totally depraved, meaning that every aspect of human nature is corrupted by sin, and that people are unable to choose God on their own. Therefore, salvation is entirely dependent on God’s grace and is not earned by human effort or merit.
Calvin also believed in the concept of predestination, which holds that God has predetermined who will be saved and who will be damned. He taught that God’s election is unconditional and not based on any human action or decision. According to Calvin, those who are chosen by God for salvation are irresistibly drawn to Him and are given the gift of faith, which enables them to believe and repent.
In Calvin’s view, salvation is a lifelong process of sanctification, in which believers are gradually conformed to the image of Christ. He emphasized the importance of the Bible as the sole authority for faith and practice, and believed in the importance of the church as the community of believers.
Calvin’s soteriology has had a significant influence on the development of Protestant theology, particularly in the Reformed tradition. It has been the subject of much debate and controversy, with some critics arguing that it presents a bleak and deterministic view of human nature and God’s sovereignty. However, many Calvinists continue to affirm the centrality of God’s grace in salvation and the importance of living a life of faith and obedience.
