September 2025
The Doctrine of Salvation
INTO THE WORD
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Many thinkers have said that systematic theology is “the study of God and all things in relation to God.” This is not a bad definition, for since God is the source, sustainer, and goal of all created things, we cannot understand God rightly without considering how all things relate to Him. Nevertheless, much of systematic theology focuses on the relation of mankind’s salvation to God. This must be so, for our Creator’s plan of salvation and its execution in history and application to human beings is the story of Scripture.
This month in our ongoing study of the systematic theology of the Bible, we are beginning our survey of soteriology—the doctrine of salvation. Few topics are more important, for if we do not have at least a basic understanding of the Bible’s teaching on salvation, our confidence in Christ will be shaken and we may even find ourselves not united to Him on judgment day.
Our look at soteriology will start with an overview of the covenantal history of salvation. Then we will move into the order of salvation, considering foreknowledge, unconditional election, effectual calling, regeneration, and the nature of saving faith.
These verses parallel the themes of the studies each week. We encourage you to hide them in your heart so that you may not sin against the Lord:
Abiding in the Word
- Deuteronomy 30:6
- Ephesians 1:3–4
- John 1:12
- Mark 1:11