Assurance (theology)

Assurance of salvation referred to in Protestant Christianity the assurance of the believer to be in the final judgment of God, the judge acquitted. This certainty is based on the fact that Jesus Christ has representative carried the guilt of the whole world in his death on the cross and the one who trusts in him the forgiveness he created appropriates:

This assurance of salvation is either a " captive of salvation" ( " insistence in grace " ) or understood as a current state of the rescued one, the future negative - does not preclude decisions of the people - of God, where appropriate, respected.

Basis of the assurance of salvation

In Reformation theology assurance of salvation ( certitudo ) of medicinal security ( securitas ) is distinguished. Securitas Security refers to the objective to be accepted by God and is by faith to have eternal life:

With certitudo the subjective, wrought by the Holy Spirit certainty is expressed - as Paul said:

However, this may also be dependent on personal feelings.

History

Assurance of salvation is a specifically Protestant concept, other denominations and religions emanate usually assume that man can contribute through good works himself to his salvation. However, since the own works remain a constant uncertainty, it can result in no absolute assurance of salvation. In contrast, emphasizes the evangelical Christianity, " that a man is justified without works of the law, by faith alone " ( Rom 3:28 LUT). Good works are the fruit and result of faith in Jesus Christ, but could not therefore bring about "justice", the acquittal in the court of God.

In church history, especially Paul, Augustine and Martin Luther have dealt with the issue of assurance of salvation (see also Gospel (faith), baptism and the Lord's Supper or Eucharist ).

The Catholic doctrine of grace measures of individual assurance of salvation in less important and accomplished not with the distinction of securitas and certitudo. It has those Christ and the Apostles words out, announce the the final judgment according to works, and sees it as the indispensable corrective to a purely intrapsychic concept of faith.

Calvinism and Arminianism

The Calvin's doctrine of the " perseverance in grace " put his pupil Arminius and especially its successor against the doctrine that a believer can lose his salvation also. Arminians justify their opinion especially with passages like Heb Heb 10.26 to 31 or 6.4 to 8 LUT LUT. From representatives of the " captive of salvation" these points are interpreted differently.

The Calvinist position summarized:

• All who have believed, their salvation can not lose.
• All who have believed, be persevere in a life of good works by God's grace to the last hour.
• This insistence is a work of God, with which collaborates the believer.
• If a believer falls into sin, this will only be for a certain time, and he will then always repent.

The Arminian position summarized:

• Every believer can lose his salvation.
• Believers who do not persevere in a life of good deeds will be lost.
• Every believer has a duty to be holy - to do that, however, is in its own discretion and responsibility.
• If a believer falls into sin, it is his responsibility to do penance while still alive.