The four most influential theories of Soteriology
Soteriology is the study of how Jesus saves us. From all of western history, here are the four most influential theories of how Jesus saves us.
INTRODUCTION
Almost all Christians have their own theory of how Jesus Christ saves us. Plus each Christian denomination has its own official theory.
That said, almost all contemporary theories trace back to four sources. They are four great theologians from the Patristic Era and the Medieval Era.
In this article, we sum up those four most influential theories of how Jesus saves us. We analyze each with four questions:
- Why do we need to be Redeemed?
- What does Salvation Mean?
- The Portrait of Christ the Redeemer
- The Portrait of God the Father
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Irenaeus of Lyons (died 202 AD)
Athanasius of Alexandria (died 370 AD)
Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109 AD)
Thomas Aquinas (died 1274 AD)
IRENAEUS OF LYONS
Died 202 AD
Introduction
Irenaeus is from the Patristic Era of Church History (33 to 590 AD). He is a church father. He was a bishop and saint. He is most noted for opposing Gnosticism.
In his writings, we find the notion of Theosis. That is an important element in The Philokalia.
1. Why do we need to be Redeemed?
Irenaeus focuses on the “Cosmic Drama”.
He envisioned the created realm as a cosmic drama between God the Father and the devil. In this drama, God’s purpose was thwarted.
Irenaeus saw human beings as the crown of God’s creation. But they were duped by the devil and lost their divine likeness. Thus they are subject to death.
The whole human race is afflicted.
2. What does Salvation Mean?
For Irenaeus, salvation means “Recapitulation”.
That is, the recapitulation of all things in Christ (see Ephesians 1:10). In this context, the word “recapitulation” means “summing up.”
Recapitulation is cosmic reconciliation. It is victory over the devil. It is the restoration of all creation. It is the restoring of divine likeness to the human race.
3. Portrait of Christ the Redeemer
For Irenaeus, the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ can be summed up as “Headship”.
The Word, through whom all was created, was made flesh. He was sent to the rescue as the New Adam. He is the new head of the human race.
The obedience of the Word reverses the disobedience of Adam. The death of the Word overcomes death itself. The resurrection of the Word brings New Life and the Holy Spirit.
4. Portrait of God
Irenaeus portrays God the Father as “The Economic Trinity”.
Salvation is a work of the Trinity:
- The Father / Creator sends the Son / Word.
- The Son / Word sends the Holy Spirit.
ATHANASIUS OF ALEXANDRIA
Died 370 AD
Introduction
Athanasius is from the Patristic Era of Church History (33 to 590 AD). He is a noted Egyptian Christian leader of the fourth century, one of the four Great Greek Fathers, and a Doctor of the Church.
See our biography of Athanasius.
1. Why do we need to be Redeemed?
Athanasius focuses on “The Divine Dilemma”.
The dilemma is that the created realm has fallen under the dominion of death and corruption. Human “likeness” to the Word was lost through sin. God’s plan was thwarted.
2. What does Salvation Mean?
For Athanasius, salvation means “Likeness”.
Salvation is the restoring of our “likeness” to the Word.
The divine image is restored by the Word incarnate. His gift of grace brings incorruption and immortality, re-creation and divinization.
We share in the divine life. Our body will resurrect.
3. Portrait of Christ the Redeemer
For Athanasius, the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ can be summed up as “Stomps on Death”.
The Word is the Image of God. He was made flesh to restore the divine image lost in mankind. Thus the Incarnation is a saving mystery.
In solidarity with our condition, the Incarnate Word suffered and defeated death. He “stomped on death”. By rising, he restored our life.
4. Portrait of God
Athanasius portrays God the Father as “King”.
God the Father is good and has compassion on his people. He sent his Son to defeat death.
In these ways, he exhibits the behavior of a good king.
ANSELM OF CANTERBURY
1033-1109 AD
Introduction
Anselm is from the Medieval Era of Church History (590 to 1417 AD). In his book Cur Deus Homo, he searches for the reason that God the Son became a man. He proposes that it was to satisfy the wrath of God the Father. Anselm is a Doctor of the Church.
See our exploration of Anselm’s book Cur Deus Homo.
1. Why do we need to be Redeemed?
Anselm focuses on the notion of “No Ransom Owed the Devil”.
Human sin has disturbed the order of the universe, leaving humankind in bondage to the devil.
Sin is an infinite offense, as measured by dignity of the One offended. Humans are unable to make satisfaction for this offense.
God the Father cannot forgive offense without violating Justice.
2. What does Salvation Mean?
For Anselm, salvation means “Satisfaction”.
Salvation is making satisfaction for the offense of our sins.
Salvation restores a right relationship with God the Father, and bestows eternal life.
In Anselm, salvation includes moral and judicial aspects.
3. Portrait of Christ the Redeemer
For Anselm, the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ can be summed up as “Satisfaction”.
We were faced with either making satisfaction to God or suffering death and hell forever.
As the God-man, Jesus Christ makes up for our duty to make satisfaction. He can make infinite satisfaction.
Solidarity with the human condition was the condition for making satisfaction.
Christ’s voluntary death on the cross made satisfaction, for he was not subject to the penalty of death. It is vicarious satisfaction.
4. Portrait of God
Athanasius portrays God the Father as “Kind”.
God is merciful and just and loving. God spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us.
He is so kind that nothing more kind can be conceived.
THOMAS AQUINAS
Died 1274 AD
Introduction
Thomas is from the Medieval Era of Church History (590 to 1417 AD). He is a Doctor of the Church.
1. Why do we need to be Redeemed?
Thomas focuses on the notion of “Turning Away from God”.
Human nature is fallen as result of Original Sin. Our personal sins ratify original sin, leaving humankind estranged from God the Father and in bondage to sin and subject to death.
God forgives us, but also seeks our love.
2. What does Salvation Mean?
For Thomas, salvation means “Communion”.
Redemption is restoration of communion. It brings about reconciliation with God and forgiveness of sins. It bestows divine life through Jesus Christ.
Thomas sees salvation as an outcome of the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ.
3. Portrait of Christ the Redeemer
For Thomas, the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ can be summed up as “Loving Obedience”.
Jesus is the God-man, the Mediator, our Priest. As Priest, he offered his life out of love. His was a sacrifice born out of love.
As Head of humanity, he is in solidarity with us, and not a substitute.
His sacrifice affects reconciliation. That is because of the free, obedient, loving, self-gift.
4. Portrait of God
Thomas portrays God the Father as the principal cause of our salvation.
Jesus Christ as God forgives our sins and grants us a share in the divine nature.
His humanity, or the Passion, is the instrumental cause.
NOTES
NOTES
Note 1. In this context of the history of soteriology, the notion of Hell does not appear until Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109 AD).
Note 2. In this context of the history of soteriology, the notion of Sin does not appear until Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109 AD).
RESOURCES
Sarah Butler, Ph.D., Readings in Soteriology, 1998
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The four most influential theories of Soteriology