Ordo salutis
Encyclopedia
Ordo salutis, refers to the series of conceptual steps within the Christian
doctrine of salvation
. It has been defined as "a technical term of Protestant dogmatics to designate the consecutive steps in the work of the Holy Spirit in the appropriation of salvation." Although there is within Christian theology
a certain sense in which the phases of salvation are sequential (Romans
8:29-30), some elements occur progressively and others instantaneously. Furthermore, some steps within the "order of salvation" are objective, performed solely by God
, while others are subjective, involving human
ity. Christians prior to the Reformation
, while not using the exact phrase, sought to order the elements of salvation. The term "Ordo salutis" was first used by Lutheran theologians in the mid 1720's. The most common sequential order is:
, G. Berkouwer
and H. Ridderbos
have criticised the idea of an "order of salvation." For example Barth sees the 'ordo salutis' as running the risk of "psychologizing" salvation and Berkouwer is concerned the ordering does not do justice to the "fullness" of salvation.
However, those wishing to sustain an idea of sequential order in salvation appeal to Romans 8:29-30 (KJV);
As Hendrikus Berkhof
observes, Christians cannot avoid thinking "coherently" about the particular elements of salvation.
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
doctrine of salvation
Salvation
Within religion salvation is the phenomenon of being saved from the undesirable condition of bondage or suffering experienced by the psyche or soul that has arisen as a result of unskillful or immoral actions generically referred to as sins. Salvation may also be called "deliverance" or...
. It has been defined as "a technical term of Protestant dogmatics to designate the consecutive steps in the work of the Holy Spirit in the appropriation of salvation." Although there is within Christian theology
Christian theology
- Divisions of Christian theology :There are many methods of categorizing different approaches to Christian theology. For a historical analysis, see the main article on the History of Christian theology.- Sub-disciplines :...
a certain sense in which the phases of salvation are sequential (Romans
Epistle to the Romans
The Epistle of Paul to the Romans, often shortened to Romans, is the sixth book in the New Testament. Biblical scholars agree that it was composed by the Apostle Paul to explain that Salvation is offered through the Gospel of Jesus Christ...
8:29-30), some elements occur progressively and others instantaneously. Furthermore, some steps within the "order of salvation" are objective, performed solely by God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
, while others are subjective, involving human
Human
Humans are the only living species in the Homo genus...
ity. Christians prior to the Reformation
Protestant Reformation
The Protestant Reformation was a 16th-century split within Western Christianity initiated by Martin Luther, John Calvin and other early Protestants. The efforts of the self-described "reformers", who objected to the doctrines, rituals and ecclesiastical structure of the Roman Catholic Church, led...
, while not using the exact phrase, sought to order the elements of salvation. The term "Ordo salutis" was first used by Lutheran theologians in the mid 1720's. The most common sequential order is:
- ForeknowledgeForeknowledgeForeknowledge may refer to* Various concepts of knowledge regarding future events:** Predestination** Prediction - Informed or uninformed guesses regarding future events...
- PredestinationPredestinationPredestination, in theology is the doctrine that all events have been willed by God. John Calvin interpreted biblical predestination to mean that God willed eternal damnation for some people and salvation for others...
- CallingEffectual callingEffectual calling in Christian soteriology is a stage in the ordo salutis in which God calls a person to himself...
(which CalvinistsCalvinismCalvinism is a Protestant theological system and an approach to the Christian life...
subdivide into a. outer, and b. inner). - RegenerationRegeneration (theology)Regeneration, while sometimes perceived to be a step in the Ordo salutis , is generally understood in Christian theology to be the objective work of God in a believer's life. Spiritually, it means that God brings Christians to new life from a previous state of subjection to the decay of death...
or faithFaithFaith is confidence or trust in a person or thing, or a belief that is not based on proof. In religion, faith is a belief in a transcendent reality, a religious teacher, a set of teachings or a Supreme Being. Generally speaking, it is offered as a means by which the truth of the proposition,... - Faith or regeneration
- RepentanceRepentanceRepentance is a change of thought to correct a wrong and gain forgiveness from a person who is wronged. In religious contexts it usually refers to confession to God, ceasing sin against God, and resolving to live according to religious law...
- JustificationJustification (theology)Rising out of the Protestant Reformation, Justification is the chief article of faith describing God's act of declaring or making a sinner righteous through Christ's atoning sacrifice....
- AdoptionAdoption (theology)Adoption, in Christian theology, is the term that describes the admission of a believer into the family of God. In the evangelical ordo salutis , adoption is usually regarded as a step immediately subsequent to justification...
- SanctificationSanctificationSanctity is an ancient concept widespread among religions, a property of a thing or person sacred or set apart within the religion, from totem poles through temple vessels to days of the week, to a human believer who achieves this state. Sanctification is the act or process of acquiring sanctity,...
- MortificationMortification (theology)Mortification refers in Christian theology to the subjective experience of Sanctification, the objective work of God between justification and glorification. Literally it means the 'putting to death' of sin in a believer's life. Reformed theologian J.I...
- PerseverancePerseverance of the saintsPerseverance of the saints, as well as the corollary—though distinct—doctrine known as "Once Saved, Always Saved", is a Calvinist teaching that once persons are truly saved they can never lose their salvation....
- GlorificationGlorification-Catholicism:For the process by which the Roman Catholic Church or Anglican Communion grants official recognition to someone as a saint, see canonization.-Eastern Orthodox Church:...
Historical Interpretation
Lutheran:
|
Classical Arminian:
|
Calvinist:
|
Criticism and support
Some recent theologians such as Karl BarthKarl Barth
Karl Barth was a Swiss Reformed theologian whom critics hold to be among the most important Christian thinkers of the 20th century; Pope Pius XII described him as the most important theologian since Thomas Aquinas...
, G. Berkouwer
Gerrit Cornelis Berkouwer
Gerrit Cornelis Berkouwer was for years the leading theologian of the Gereformeerde Kerken in the Netherlands . He occupied the Chair in systematic theology of the Faculty of Theology, Free University in Amsterdam.Berkouwer was born in The Hague. He was raised in Zaandam...
and H. Ridderbos
Herman Nicolaas Ridderbos
Herman Nicolaas Ridderbos was born on February 13, 1909, in Oosterend , the Netherlands, grew up in the Reformed Church and in a strong, conservative Christian home, and died on Thursday, March 8, 2007, at the age of 98...
have criticised the idea of an "order of salvation." For example Barth sees the 'ordo salutis' as running the risk of "psychologizing" salvation and Berkouwer is concerned the ordering does not do justice to the "fullness" of salvation.
However, those wishing to sustain an idea of sequential order in salvation appeal to Romans 8:29-30 (KJV);
As Hendrikus Berkhof
Hendrikus Berkhof
Hendrikus Berkhof was a professor of Systematic Theology at the University of Leiden.-Works:...
observes, Christians cannot avoid thinking "coherently" about the particular elements of salvation.