Savannah Schaefer THEO 202-002 Theological Essay
Soteriology: Salvation Through God’s Grace
The topic of soteriology focuses on doctrine of salvation and often how different Biblical
worldviews portray the process of salvation. All throughout the Bible, the need for salvation
from sin is at the forefront of the message. In the Old Testament, the only way to be saved from
hell and to be allowed entrance into heaven was through sacrificial repentance and the use of a
priest to reach God. From Christ’s death on the cross, each human is given the opportunity to be
allowed into heaven through repentance, acceptance of Christ as their Savior, and therefore
receive salvation. The Bible teaches that it is only through grace that one is allowed this gift of
salvation.
God is a being of grace and love for His creation. From this, one is able to better
understand why He would send His only son to die for the sinful mankind that He cherished.
Mankind is not worthy of God’s love or Christ’s sacrifice, and therefore it is only through the
grace of God, not works, that humankind is allowed entrance into heaven.1 In some views of the
Christianity, the idea of works and good favor with God is how one is able enter into heaven.
Yet, Ephesians 2:8-9 states, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is
not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” Paul himself
takes note that salvation is a process of grace and pure love from God that allows humans
entrance into heaven.
While God’s grace offers salvation and entrance into heaven to everyone, that does not
mean everyone accepts it. It is through God’s grace alone that humans are given a free will
1 Millard J. Erickson, Introducing Christian Doctrine, (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academics, 2015), 98-
105.
2 Etzel, Gabriel, & Small, R. N., Everyday Theology, (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2016), 171-176.
Savannah Schaefer THEO 202-002 Theological Essay
because of his love for them and are given the chance to not chose salvation.2 This free will
allowed people to not accept Christ as their Savior and will not enter into Heaven after their life
on earth. This does not defeat the truth of God’s love but instead strengths it. God loves His
children so much that even though He would rather them all be in heaven with Him, He will not
force a mutual love onto them if they do not choose to accept Him and their God.
God’s grace alone is the only reason that humans are able to enter into heaven or have a
relationship with Him. No human can do enough good works to enter into heaven on their own.
It is only through the love of God and sacrifice of Jesus Christ that any man may enter into His
kingdom.
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