Theological determinism

Theological determinism exists in a number of religions, including Jainism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Saint Thomas Aquinas, the medieval Roman Catholic theologian, believed strongly that humanity had free will.

(However, though he desired to defend a doctrine of free will, he ultimately ended up espousing what today would be known as compatibilism, or "soft determinism.

He claimed that humans thus must give up aspiring to do good in their fallen state and by their own power, as only by this could salvation be formed.

This is reflected in the reformation doctrine of Sola Fide, that asserts that salvation is by faith alone and not achieved by meritorious good works.