The Spectrum of Christian Soteriology: Contrasting Views on Grace, Faith, and Election

Theological View	View on Human Will & Depravity	Grace & Election	Atonement	Role of Faith	Evangelism & Missions	Proponent & Reference
Pelagianism	Human nature is not affected by Adam’s sin; people can choose good or evil without divine aid.	No election; salvation is by human effort.	Christ’s atonement is a moral example rather than necessary for salvation.	Faith and good works lead to salvation.	Evangelism is about teaching moral living.	Pelagius, Letter to Demetrias
Semi-Pelagianism	Humanity is weakened by sin but can initiate faith; grace assists but is not necessary for the first step.	Election based on God foreseeing faith.	Universal atonement (Christ died for all).	Faith is a human choice that cooperates with grace.	Evangelism is necessary; people can respond freely to the gospel.	John Cassian, Conferences
Arminianism	Total depravity, but prevenient grace enables all to choose God.	Conditional election based on foreseen faith.	Universal atonement.	Faith is enabled by grace but must be accepted by free will.	Evangelism is vital; God’s grace enables people to respond.	Jacob Arminius, The Works of James Arminius
Amyraldianism (Four-Point Calvinism)	Total depravity; grace is needed for salvation.	Conditional election, but Christ’s atonement is sufficient for all, efficient for the elect.	Universal atonement in provision, but applied only to the elect.	Faith is a response to grace and a means of applying salvation.	Evangelism is necessary; Christ’s atonement is sufficient for all.	Moïse Amyraut, Brief Traité de la Prédestination
Calvinism (Five-Point / Classic)	Total depravity; sinners cannot choose God without grace.	Unconditional election; God chooses the elect apart from foreseen faith.	Limited atonement (Christ died only for the elect).	Faith is a gift from God, granted to the elect.	Evangelism is commanded, as God uses means to save the elect.	John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion
High Calvinism	Stronger emphasis on God’s sovereignty in salvation; human will is completely passive.	Supralapsarianism (God decrees election before the Fall).	Strict limited atonement, rejecting any universal aspect of the atonement.	Faith is not a condition for salvation but an evidence of election.	Evangelism is important but secondary to God’s eternal decree.	John Gill, The Cause of God and Truth
Neo-Calvinism	Similar to traditional Calvinism but applied to all areas of life (culture, politics, society).	Unconditional election, with an emphasis on God’s sovereignty in all areas of life.	Limited atonement, but God’s common grace influences culture and society.	Faith is a response to God’s call and shapes cultural engagement.	Evangelism includes not only saving souls but also transforming society.	Abraham Kuyper, Lectures on Calvinism
Hyper-Calvinism	Humans are totally depraved and incapable of any response.	Absolute predestination; God has already determined who will be saved or damned.	Strict limited atonement; no offer of salvation to the non-elect.	Faith is not a duty of all but only given to the elect.	Evangelism is unnecessary because God will save the elect without human effort.	Joseph Hussey, God’s Operations of Grace but No Offers of Grace

Key Additions & Summary

• Pelagianism (Pelagius) – Denies original sin and claims humans can achieve salvation by their own efforts.
• Semi-Pelagianism (John Cassian) – A compromise allowing human initiation of faith with God’s grace assisting.
• Arminianism (Arminius) – Total depravity but prevenient grace enables free will.
• Amyraldianism (Amyraut) – Universal atonement with limited application (Four-Point Calvinism).
• Calvinism (Calvin) – Five points of Calvinism (TULIP).
• High Calvinism (Gill) – Supralapsarianism, stronger predestinarian view.
• Neo-Calvinism (Kuyper) – Applies Calvinism to all aspects of life, not just theology.
• Hyper-Calvinism (Hussey) – Rejects free offer of the gospel and evangelism.