Historical Theology · Patristic Database

The Christian
Belief Map

What the first five centuries believed — and who still believes it today.

217
Belief Records
46
Figures
500
Years
6
Traditions
Reset
Doctrines
Christology 8 Ecclesiology 81 Eschatology 22 Mariology 14 Petrine Ministry 32 Pneumatology 6 Prayer & Devotion 5 Scripture & Tradition 33 Soteriology 7 The Eucharist 30 The Priesthood 11 The Sacraments 31

SOTERIOLOGY

7 records · 1 hostile witness
What the early Church fathers taught on this doctrine
Affirmed (6) Denied (1)
Which modern traditions agree with the early Church on this doctrine?
Dark bar = identical/convergent · Light = partial agreement
Catholic
86% 6/7
Orthodox
86% 6/7
Lutheran
86% 6/7
Reformed
57% 4/7
Baptist
29% 2/7
Evangelical
29% 2/7
By Era
0
Apostolic
4
Ante-nicene
1
Nicene
2
Post-nicene
Figures Attesting
7 Belief Records
JM Justin Martyr c. AD 155
Salvation requires both faith and the grace of baptism — it is not by human merit
affirmed
IL Irenaeus of Lyon c. AD 185
Irenaeus teaches that salvation recapitulates the whole of human history in Christ — every stage restored
affirmed
CA Clement of Alexandria c. AD 200
Justification is not by works of the Law but through faith in Christ — Paul's teaching is the Catholic norm
affirmed
OA Origen of Alexandria c. AD 245
Origen teaches that the cross is a ransom that liberates humanity from bondage to sin and death
affirmed
AA Athanasius of Alexandria c. AD 318
Salvation is theosis — participation in the divine nature, not merely forensic pardon
affirmed
PP Pelagius c. AD 410
Pelagius denies original sin and the necessity of grace — each person can choose good without divine assistance
denied ⚔ HOSTILE
AH Augustine of Hippo c. AD 418
Grace is necessary for every act ordered toward salvation — the will cannot initiate it unaided
affirmed
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Explore 71 verified claims across seven centuries of Church history.

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