What is Salvation?
Christians everywhere say that Jesus saves us. But what does it mean that Jesus “saves” us? What is Salvation?
Christians everywhere say that Jesus saves us. But what does it mean that he “saves” us?
To that question, there is no single answer that all Christians agree upon wholeheartedly. Instead, there are many answers.
However, most of the answers can be lumped into two categories:
1. EASTERN CHRISTIANITY
What is Eastern Christianity?
Eastern Christianity is the Christian movement that originally developed in the Eastern Mediterranean, as well as further east, south or north.
It is made up of many communions and denominations such as the following:
- The Eastern Orthodox Church
- The Oriental Orthodox Churches
- The Assyrian Church
- Eastern Catholic Churches
- Eastern Protestant churches
How does Eastern Christianity see the Human Condition?
Eastern Christianity believes that as a result of the fall, there is death. Humans die.
For Eastern Christianity, what is Salvation?
In Eastern Christianity, salvation is seen in these ways:
- Victory over death
- Immortality
- Divinization
For Eastern Christianity, how does Christ save us?
Eastern Christianity says Christ saves people in these ways:
- Reveals our true destiny
- Defeats death by his death
- Restores our life by his resurrection
2. WESTERN CHRISTIANITY
What is Western Christianity?
Western Christianity is the Christian movement that is made up of the Latin Church and Western Protestantism, together with their many offshoots such as the Old Catholic Church, Independent Catholicism and Restorationism.
It is made up of many communions and denominations such as the following:
- The Catholic church
- Protestant churches
- The Anglican Communion
- Evangelicalism
- Pentecostalism
How does Western Christianity see the Human Condition?
Western Christianity believes that as a result of the fall, people are marred by sin and guilt.
For Western Christianity, what is Salvation?
In Western Christianity, salvation is seen in these ways:
- Deliverance from sin
- Deliverance from the wages of sin
- Participation in Trinitarian life
For Western Christianity, how does Christ save us?
Western Christianity says Christ saves people in these ways:
- Makes satisfaction for our sin
- Restores our life by his resurrection
NOTES
RESOURCES
Sarah Butler, Ph.D., Readings in Soteriology, 1998
IN THIS SERIES
The four most influential theories of Soteriology