Who believed that salvation is achieved through faith alone?
Who believed that God predetermines who will be saved?
The belief that salvation is achieved through faith alone is associated with the Protestant theologian Martin Luther and his doctrine of justification by faith. This concept suggests that humans are justified or made righteous before God solely by placing their faith in Jesus Christ, rather than by any good works or deeds. This belief was a key doctrine of the Protestant Reformation.
On the other hand, the belief that God predetermines who will be saved is known as predestination. This belief was notably championed by the Protestant theologian John Calvin, who developed the doctrine of Calvinism. According to this perspective, God has already chosen certain individuals for salvation and others for damnation even before the creation of the world. This teaching emphasizes the sovereignty and absolute control of God over the eternal destiny of individuals.