Soteriology

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Soteriology is the branch of Christian theology that deals with salvation. It is derived from the Greek sōtērion (salvation) (from sōtēr savior, preserver) + English -logy.

Christianity

Christian soteriology traditionally focuses on how God ends the separation people have from him due to sin by reconciling them with himself. (Rom. 5:10-11). Christians receive the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38), life (Rom. 8:11), and salvation (1 Thess. 5:9) bought by Jesus through his innocent suffering, death (Acts 20:28) and resurrection from death three days later (Matt. 28). This grace in Christ (1 Cor. 1:4) is received through faith (Eph. 2:8-9) in him (Gal. 3:22, Rom. 10:9), which is caused by God's Word (Rom. 10:17). Some Christians teach the reception of Christ by grace alone through faith alone. Catholics and the Orthodox have always taken a wholistic view which states that grace is manifested in both faith and works.

The different soteriologies found within the Christian tradition can be grouped into distinct schools: the Catholics and Orthodox on Justification, the Church, the Sacraments, and the freedom of the will; Arminianism's synergism; Calvinism's predestination; and a large range of Lutheran doctrine, including conversion , Justification by grace alone through faith alone , the Means of Grace , and the Church

Islam

Islamic soteriology focuses on how humans can repent of and atone for their sins so as not to occupy a state of loss. Salvation in the afterlife comes from God's recognition and acceptance of the individual, with regard to their virtue, obedience and/or good deeds performed in their earthly life.

In the Day of Judgment all people will receive a just recompense of their deeds. Salvation can come from God and by no other means, and He will recompense each person according to his deeds in view of His Justice.

In Islam when one becomes a Muslim all of one's sins and wrong deeds are forgiven by God, and one is free to start anew. The same when one prays as Islam directs, fasts as Islam directs, and does pilgrimage as Islam directs. Islam considers many virtuous deeds prescribed by it and recommended by it as earning of God forgiveness of one's sins. The Qur'an states, and the Sunnah (the second legal source of Islam) confirms, that good deeds wipe wrong deeds out and that charity puts off wrong deeds just as water puts off fire.

Judaism

Many practitioners of Judaism also emphasize morality in this life over concern with the afterlife. The concern is not so much for one's own benefit after this life, but so that ultimately all humanity can better its lot as everyone practices more virtuous and ethical behavior.

Hellenic philosophy

Epicureanism is primarily concerned with temperance and leading of a simple life as a means to avoid inflicting pain and find "freedom from anxiety" (αταραξία). Stoicism is concerned with the cultivation of virtues such as fortitude and detachment to improve spiritual well-being. In the Neoplatonism of Iamblichus, one is saved through the process of henosis.

Hinduism

Hinduism, which teaches that humans are caught in a cycle of death and rebirth called samsara, contains a slightly different sort of soteriology devoted to the attainment of moksha, meaning "liberation."

In Hinduism, there is more than one marga, or means to salvation. Bhakti marga is salvation through devotion to a deity. Jnana marga is salvation through knowledge, when a person deeply realizes that his soul (or atman) is one with Brahman, the universal life force. Karma marga is salvation through good works and the accumulation of good karma. Any of these paths can lead to moksha, liberation from the cycle of rebirth.

Buddhism

Buddhism focuses on attaining liberation from suffering.

Theravada Buddhism, which more prevalent in Thailand, Sri Lanka and other parts of Southeast Asia, has a soteriology more like the Hindu philosophy. A monk or practitioner of Theravada Buddhism will meditate and become more ascetic in an attempt to escape the sufferings inherent in the wheel of dharma. Moksha which means "release" in this context, or in other words the removal of the mental shackles of attachment, aversion and ignorance and the achievement of Nirvana (Nirvana in this sense is not heaven, but the cessation of suffering) and are not condemned to further rebirth in samsara.

Mahayana Buddhism, practiced in China, Tibet and Japan has elements of relying on a savior, looking for help or assistance from the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas to assist the meditator, who may in time ascend to the same levels as the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas and therefore attain liberation (nirvana) and enlightenment (bodhi).

Jainism

Jainism emphasizes penance and asceticism, which lead to liberation and ascendance of the soul.

Sikhism

Sikhism advocates the pursuit of salvation through disciplined, personal meditation on the name and message of God. This meditation is meant to bring a person into union with God.

Shintoism

Shinto and Tenrikyo similarly emphasize working for a good life by cultivating virtue or virtuous behavior.

References

External links

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Last updated on Tuesday March 11, 2008 at 13:15:57 PDT (GMT -0700)
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