Christian theology

==Soteriology: Salvation==
{{Main|Salvation in Christianity}}
Christian [[soteriology]] is the branch of Christian theology that deals with one's [[salvation]].<ref>Soteriology. Dictionary.com. WordNet 3.0. Princeton University. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Soteriology {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071113004719/http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/soteriology |date=13 November 2007 }} (accessed: 2 March 2008).</ref> It is derived from the [[Greek language|Greek]] ''sōtērion'' (salvation) (from ''sōtēr'' savior, preserver) + English [[-logy]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soteriology |title=soteriology– Definition from the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary |publisher=Merriam-webster.com |date=25 April 2007 |access-date=2010-08-08}}</ref>

Atonement is a doctrine that describes how human beings can be reconciled to [[God]]. In Christian theology the atonement refers to the forgiving or pardoning of one's [[sin]] through the death of [[Jesus Christ]] by [[crucifixion]], which made possible the reconciliation between God and creation. Within Christianity there are three main theories for how such atonement might work: the [[Atonement (ransom view)|ransom theory]], the [[Atonement (satisfaction view)|satisfaction theory]] and the [[Atonement (moral influence view)|moral influence theory]]. Christian soteriology is unlike and not to be confused with [[collective salvation]].

===Traditional focus===
Christian soteriology traditionally focuses on how God ends the separation people have from him due to [[sin]] by reconciling them with himself. ([http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%205:10-11;&version=9; Rom. 5:10–11]). Many Christians believe they receive the forgiveness of sins ([http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=51&chapter=2&verse=38&version=31&context=verse Acts 2:38]), life ([http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=52&chapter=8&verse=11&version=31&context=verse Rom. 8:11]), and salvation ([http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=59&chapter=5&verse=9&version=31&context=verse 1 Thess. 5:9]) bought by [[Jesus]] through his innocent suffering, death, and resurrection from the dead three days later ([http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=47&chapter=28&version=47&context=chapter Matt. 28]).

Christ's death, resurrection, ascension, and sending of the [[Holy Spirit]], is called ''The Paschal Mystery''. Christ's human birth is called the ''[[Incarnation]]''. Either or both are considered in different versions of soteriology.

While not neglecting the ''Paschal Mystery'', many Christians believe salvation is brought through the ''Incarnation'' itself, in which God took on human nature so that humans could partake in the divine nature (2 Peter 1.4). As [[St. Athanasius]] put it, God became human so that we might become divine (St. Athanasius, De inc. 54, 3: PG 25, 192B.). This [[Grace (Christianity)|grace]] in Christ ([http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=53&chapter=1&verse=4&version=31&context=verse 1 Cor. 1:4]) is received as a gift of God that cannot be merited by works done prior to one's conversion to Christianity ([http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%202:8-9;&version=31; Eph. 2:8–9]), which is brought about by hearing God's Word ([http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=52&chapter=10&verse=17&version=50&context=verse Rom. 10:17]) and harkening to it. This involves accepting Jesus Christ as the personal saviour and Lord over one's life.

===Distinct schools===
Protestant teaching, originating with [[Martin Luther]], teaches that salvation is received by [[Sola gratia|grace alone]] and that one's sole necessary response to this grace is [[Sola fide|faith alone]]. Older Christian teaching, as found in Catholic and Orthodox theology, is that salvation is received by [[Sola gratia|grace alone]], but that one's necessary response to this grace comprises both faith and works (James 2:24, 26; Rom 2:6–7; Gal 5:6).

===Catholic soteriology===
Human beings exists because God wanted to share His life with them. In this sense, every human being is God's child. In a fuller sense, to come to salvation is to be reconciled to God through Christ and to be united with His divine Essence via [[Divinization (Christian)|Theosis]] in the [[beatific vision]] of the Godhead. The graces of Christ's passion, death, and resurrection are found in the [[Catholic sacraments|seven sacraments]] of the [[Catholic Church]].

===Comparison among Protestants===
{{Comparison among Protestants}}