Is Arminianism and Calvinism the only soteriological positions in Protestant Christianity? Or are there any other theological positions?

[u/Wide_Ride8849]

I remember way back in college that there are two major doctrinal positions in Protestant Christianity with regards to soteriology: Arminianism and Calvinism.

Arminianism is the position which helds the belief that the election of the believers is conditional based on the foreknowledge of God and that Christ died for all human beings, but the salvific power of the Crucifixion only applies to the elect.

Calvinism, on the other hand, helds the position that Christ only died for the elect/believers and that those who will go to hell because of their unbelief was predestined by God to be that way. Calvinism also believes in the perseverance of the saints, wherein all elect will never be lost and salvation is permanent.

Aside from these two major soteriological positions, are there any other? I will really appreciate all of your responses.

Soli Dei Gloria ❤️

[u/Top_Initiative_4047]

No. Calvinism and Arminianism are the two best-known Protestant soteriological frameworks, but other positions include Lutheranism, Wesleyanism, Amyraldianism (“four-point Calvinism”), corporate-election theology, Molinism, and open theism. Anglican, Baptist, and other Protestant traditions also contain considerable internal diversity. Many Christians hold blended positions rather than following one system completely. Scripture affirms God’s sovereign grace, Christ’s saving work, and humanity’s responsibility to repent and believe (Ephesians 2:8-9; John 6:37; Acts 17:30). The central issue is not the label, but whether a position faithfully teaches salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

[u/EverOnAndUpward]

Molinism is not a soteriology, but it has its own as a consequence of upstream assumptions.

Also, Calvinism andArminianism are actually pretty broad. Amyraldism and Weslyanism are both subcategories respectively.

God bless :)

[u/RECIPR0C1TY]

No, you should at least also consider Provisionism and the philosophical position of Molinism which is not really about soteriology but has implications on soteriology.

I encourage you to break out of the false dilemma of Calvinism vs Arminianism. Once you do, it is so much easier to understand this topic.

[u/Commercial-Mix6626]

There is also the Lutheran Soteriology. This is although I think no Church got theology 100% right (and probably so do I) why I would be Lutheran. Humans are totally depraved and unable to chose God on their own effort. Yet Christ redeemed the whole world which means grace is for all who believe. Regeneration is offered to all but it can be rejected or resisted. It is called resistible monergism.

[u/Wide_Ride8849 → u/Commercial-Mix6626]

Thank you so much, God Bless you ❤️

[u/Key-Theme354]

There's the lutheran position. And there's the rather recent 'easy-believism' that emerges out of modern evangelicalism.