Christianity/Ordo Salutis

The Ordo Salutis (aka 'Order of Salvation') is a theological organisation of the 'Doctrines of Grace'. It is an organisation that is particularly emphasised within the Reformed theological tradition. This subject provides an overview of the doctrines of Grace and how they related to each other, Soteriology (the doctrine of salvation), and Hamartiology (the doctrine of sin).

Study
Work through the topics at your own pace using the table below to guide your learning. Consider the order of the doctrines, their biblical shape and the various alternatives. What would be the best way to communicate how they unfold logically and experientially?

History
During the Reformation there was a renewed interest in the 'Doctrines of Grace' especially Justificaiton. As Protestant scholarship matured, other Soteriological doctrines received attention, and the 'Doctrines of Grace' began to coalesce. For example the Westminster Confession of Faith, published in 1647 included explanations of Effectual Calling, Justification, Sanctification and Perservance. Then the Puritan author John Bunyan published in 1678 the Christian allegory Pilgrim's Progress which popularised the concept that salvation was a journey. Later the Latin term Ordo Salutis was coined in the 1700s by Lutheran theologians to "designate the consecutive steps in the work of the Holy Spirit in the appropriation of salvation." The modern Reformed conception of the 'Order of Salvation' was established in 1955 with the publication of Redemption Accomplished and Applied by John Murray.

The Accomplished and Applied paradigm
The various Doctrines of Grace receive varying amounts of Scriptural 'airtime' and theological attention. Furthermore, sometimes Biblical Theology will focus on the work of God and at other times focus on the human response. In order to present the Doctrines of Grace coherently it's necessary to think about them both logically and experientially. Additionally, the doctrines of Grace move towards, flow from and are centred around the Atonement of Jesus. The death and resurrection of Jesus are the central events of Christianity and therefore there should be a clear connection between the Atonement and the Doctrines of Grace. John Murray's accomplished and applied paradigm does that. It will be useful to keep this paradigm in mind as you think about each of the doctrines of Grace individually and then plot their logical and experiential order.

Applied
The Doctrines of Grace are the application to us of Jesus' Atonement. The Ordo Salutis is focused on the logical and Scriptural sequence of the Doctrines of Grace and John Murray explains why we need a particular Order of Salvation: When we think of the application of redemption we must not think of it as one simple and indivisible act. It comprises of a series of acts and processes. To mention some, we have calling, regeneration, justification, adoption, sanctification, glorification. These are all distinct, and not one of these can be definied in terms of the other. Each has its own distinct meaning, function and purpose in the action and grace of God. ... There are good and conclusive reasons for thinking of the various actions of the applications of redemption, some of which have been mentioned, take place in a certain order, and that order has been established by divine appointment, wisdom and grace. While there is a logical order of consideration there is also a logical order of application. The logical order of consideration is simply the sequence at which each doctrine should be considered. Murray suggests the following logical sequence of consideration. (This is technically what is meant by the Ordo Salutis.) However, as Murry noted above, the Order of Salvation is "a series of acts and processes." This is the logical order of application. Some of the doctrines describe discrete and distinct events while other doctrines describe on-going 'through-themes'. The Diagraming section is an attempt to capture this more dynamic ordering of the Ordo Salutis. (The order of application shouldn't be confused with an individual's personal experience of the Doctrines of Grace, but they will be related.)
 * 1) Effectual Calling
 * 2) Regeneration
 * 3) Justification
 * 4) Adoption
 * 5) Sanctification
 * 6) Persverance
 * 7) Union with Christ
 * 8) Glorificaiton

Predestination
Instead of obeying God and eating from the tree life, Adam chose to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and become like God. This act invited destruction into the world because Adam and Eve became like God knowing good and evil. They replaced God with themselves. This action changed history and as a result, Adam and the human race were condemned to destruction. Predestination is the doctrine of a changed destiny. It signals the start of God's plan to rescue a chosen (Doctrine of Election) people. It could be illustrated with a rocket trajectory or red thread because it signals that despite the horror of sin, God has a plan of salvation.

Election
When Adam sinned against God, he choose sin instead of God (Phil). So God gave him and the human-race over (Rom) to destruction. However, the Doctrine of Election describes God's unwarranted mercy in choosing some to save. God's reasoning for choosing some and not all to save, is a mystery. (Rom . 9) This pattern of choosing, begins with Abraham and is demonstrated through the history of Israel. During the ministry of Jesus, a new covenant is made and gentiles are added as equal participants.

Regeneration
Regeneration is the progressive work of the Holy Spirit in a person's life, prompting them to respond to the gospel, helping them repent of sin and seek Jesus. This reflects the Spirit's part in the Humiliation of Christ when the Holy Spirit falls upon Jesus during baptism and sends him into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan. Just the Holy Spirit sends Jesus into the desert, the Holy Spirit sends the sinner towards God and works behind the scenes to enable to the application of the other Doctrines of Grace.

Effectual Calling
Effectual Calling is the doctrine of invitation. God does not create automatons but responds to beings who were created with the power to choose, a power highlighted by Adam and Eve's fateful choice in the Garden of Eden. This is where the discussion of human responsibility takes place. God extends an invitation through the proclamation of the gospel and people choose to respond.

Union with Christ
Belonging to God is a major theme of Scripture. The nation of Israel lives around the temple, in proximity to God's presence and is called to live a distinctive life. However, since Adam, the world has belonged to the "Prince of this world", the Satanic Strongman, aka the ancient serpent. A frequent phrase in the New Testament is "in-Christ" signalling the type of relationship that faith in Jesus creates. Union with Christ is the vehicle through which many of the doctrines of grace take place. Righteousness is imputed to believers because they belong to Christ, their regeneration helps them improve their experience of belonging to Christ through Mortification and Vivification.

Justification
At the centre of the doctrines of Grace is a believer's changed moral status. Adam was expelled from the garden and through his rejection of God became to morally repugnant to enter God's presence. Everyone else is also cloaked in this unrighteousness, until Jesus. The Doctrine of Justification describes how the condemnation of sin is removed from a believer and placed on Jesus and then the believer is given Jesus' righteous status.

Adoption
The doctrine that describes a Christian's new status in relation to God.

Sanctification
The doctrine of Sanctification is a broad concept, that describes both the holy state of a believer, their progressive change over time and is over-arching category for both the doctrines of mortification and vivification.

Mortification
The doctrine that describes the activity of putting sin to death.

Vivification
Seeking the 'Beatific Vision', new knowledge about God and things that strength your faith in Jesus.

Persevering
The doctrine that describes how a believer continues to trust Jesus from their first response to the moment of death.

Glorification
The Doctrine of Glorification is the final triumphant completion of salvation.

Related Topics

 * Atonement:
 * Expiation:
 * Imputation:
 * Propitiation:
 * Monogenism:
 * Repentance:
 * Redemption:
 * Synergism: