---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: THERE ARE fundamentally only two…"
description: "\"“THERE ARE fundamentally only two doctrines of salvation: that salvation is from God, and that salvation is from ourselves. The former is the doctrine ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b6d/benjamin-breckinridge-warfield_christianity_there-are-fundamentally-only-two-doctrin_1516847.jpg"
---

#  THERE ARE fundamentally only two doctrines of salvation…

![“THERE ARE fundamentally only two doctrines of salvation: that salvation is from God, and that salvation is from ourselves. The former is the doctrine of common Christianity; the latter is the doctrine of universal heathenism. &quot;The principle of heathenism,&quot; remarks Dr. Herman Bavinek, &quot;is…” quote by Benjamin Breckinridge Warfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b6d/benjamin-breckinridge-warfield_christianity_there-are-fundamentally-only-two-doctrin_1516847.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b6d/benjamin-breckinridge-warfield_christianity_there-are-fundamentally-only-two-doctrin_1516847.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b6d/benjamin-breckinridge-warfield_christianity_there-are-fundamentally-only-two-doctrin_1516847.jpg)

> ““THERE ARE fundamentally only two doctrines of salvation: that salvation is from God, and that salvation is from ourselves. The former is the doctrine of common Christianity; the latter is the doctrine of universal heathenism. "The principle of heathenism," remarks Dr. Herman Bavinek, "is, negatively, the denial of the true God, and of the gift of his grace; and, positively, the notion that salvation can be secured by man's own power and wisdom. 'Come, let us build us a city, and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven, and let us make us a name.' Gen. 11:4.””

[Benjamin Breckinridge Warfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-breckinridge-warfield/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The quote contrasts divine salvation with human self-reliance, labeling the latter as heathenism and warning against prideful self-sufficiency.

**In simple terms:** Salvation comes from God, not our own effort.

Key Takeaway

Rely on divine grace, not personal power.

Themes

theology pride human nature

Mood

reflective serious

Type

theological philosophical

When to use this quote

- personal decision
- spiritual growth
- religious teaching
- humility practice

Key Concepts

divine grace self-reliance hubris

Questions to Reflect On

- Do you trust your own abilities over higher guidance?
- How does pride affect spiritual humility?

A Different Perspective

Human effort alone cannot guarantee salvation; divine grace is essential.

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[Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity/) [Doctrines Salvation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doctrines-salvation-2321239/) [Heathenism Principle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heathenism-principle-5596869/) [Principle Heathenism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principle-heathenism-5596868/) [Salvation Doctrine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/salvation-doctrine-5520719/) [True god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/true-god/) [Universal Heathenism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/universal-heathenism-5596870/)

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