Synergism

In Christian theology, synergism refers to the cooperative effort between God and humanity in the process of salvation.

[1] In Christian theology, it describes the cooperative effort between God and humanity in the process of salvation.

[9] In response, Augustine proposed a view in which God is the ultimate cause of all human actions, a stance that aligns with soft determinism.

[16] In 529, the Second Council of Orange addressed Semi-Pelagianism and declared that even the inception of faith is a result of God’s grace.

[43][44] The sacraments of the Catholic Church such as baptism and the Eucharist, are part of God's grace and are thus a vital element in the synergistic process of salvation.

In Eastern Orthodox theology, God's grace and the human response work together in a "cooperation" or "synergy".

[46] This perspective has historically presented less theological tension on this issue compared to the Christian West.

[48] Man possesses libertarian freedom (as implied by the Gnomic will) and must consciously respond to divine grace.

[50] The Orthodox synergistic process of salvation includes baptism as a response to divine grace.

[52]Anabaptists hold to synergism,[54] teaching that "both God and man play real and necessary parts in the reconciling relationship which binds them.

"[55] Anabaptists have a high view of the moral capacities of humans when "enlivened by the active agency of the Holy Spirit".

[69] By 1580, Melanchthon's view had lost prominence, and the Book of Concord (1580) affirmed soteriological monergism in relation to election (to salvation), but explicitly rejected its application to reprobation.

[71][72] While monergism remains the official stance, Lutheran history includes both monergist and synergist views.

[74] For example, Huldrych Zwingli (1484–1531) viewed that everything, including human salvation and reprobation, was determined by God.