A soteriologia sinergista e a espiritualidade do movimento da fé ou teologia da prosperidade

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the characteristic elements of the Ordo Salutis of a synergistic soteriology, and then analyze the possibility of this soteriological category influencing the spirituality of the movement known as the “Faith Movement or Prosperity Theology” To achieve this objective, the introductory part of the thesis presents some considerations on the concept of monergistic and synergistic soteriology, a brief conceptualization of the meaning of Christian spirituality, and finally, comments on how the thesis was structured, as well as some methodological reservations. In addition to the introductory part, the research has five more parts, four chapters and a conclusion. In the first chapter, we present an analysis of the elements that make up the Ordo Salutis of Augustinian soteriology, based on three writings by Augustine of Hippo – “De Gratia et Libero Arbitrio”; “De Correctione et Gratia”, “Da Praedestinatione Sanctorum”. These writings were sent as letters to the monks of Hadrumetum and Marseille, known as semi-Pelagians because of their reaction to certain soteriological elements presented in Augustine’s debate with Pelagius in the 5th century AD. We also analyze some of the soteriological assumptions of John Cassian, abbot of the monastery of Saint Victor and the main semi-Pelagian opponent of Augustinian soteriology in this debate. In the following chapter, we examine the development of some elements of the Ordo Salutis present in the soteriology of Philip Melanchthon, based on various versions of his magnum opus, “Loci communes rerum theologicarum”; and how these were defended by Victorinus Strigel, leader of the Philippian party, in his debate with Matthias Flacius, leader of the Flacian party, in the so-called Synergist Controversy, which occurred within Lutheranism between 1550 and 1560 AD. In the third chapter, we delve into some of the writings of Jacob Arminius in order to analyze the development of certain elements pertinent to the soteriological propositions presented in his Ordo Salutis and how these affected the debate that took place between the Remonstrants and the classical Calvinists at the Synod of Dordrecht. In the fourth chapter, we examine the characteristics of some of the component assumptions of the anthropology, soteriology, and spirituality of the so-called “Faith Movement” or “Prosperity Theology” in order to analyze, in the concluding part of the thesis, the possible relationship and influence of a synergistic soteriology on these assumptions. Finally, in the conclusion of our research, we find that there has indeed been an influence of a synergistic soteriology on the synergism strongly present in the spirituality of the “Faith Movement” or “Prosperity Theology” Also in this last part, we present, based on characteristic principles of a monergistic soteriology, suggestions for a reaction to some of the assumptions present in both a synergistic soteriology and a synergistic spirituality. Thus, this research is situated within the Concentration Area Religion, Theology, and Society, which examines and critically analyzes the relationship between religion, theology, and society, as well as their interfaces with the public and religious spheres, taking into account, among other aspects, the history of tradition, the Church, and theological developments. Furthermore, it is affiliated with the Research Line History and Theology, which 14 focuses, among other topics, on the development of ecclesiastical and theological thought.