Salvation

Salvation is from the Latin salvatio, from salvare (to save), itself from salvus (safe, whole)[1]. The Greek New Testament term often translated salvation is soteria, with related meanings of deliverance, preservation, and wholeness[2]. The English term primarily covers Christian theological usage but is sometimes extended to similar categories in other traditions[3].

the goal and mechanism of salvation differ sharply across traditions, which is why comparison is essential.

Salvation in Christian thought names the deliverance, redemption, or ultimate spiritual restoration brought through Christ. Different Christian traditions develop salvation differently. Catholic and Orthodox teaching often emphasizes theosis (divinization) and the integration of salvation with sacramental life. Reformed and many Protestant traditions emphasize justification by faith and the imputation of Christ's righteousness. Wesleyan and Methodist traditions develop sanctification (the process of becoming holy) extensively. Pentecostal and charismatic traditions emphasize the work of the Holy Spirit in salvation experience.

The relationship between salvation and works has been one of the most contested theological topics in Christian history. Augustine versus Pelagius, Luther versus the medieval Catholic synthesis, and many subsequent debates have engaged the question of how grace and human response relate. Modern ecumenical conversation, notably the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification between Catholics and Lutherans in 1999, has clarified significant convergence while acknowledging remaining differences.

Outside Christianity, parallel concepts exist with their own distinctive frameworks. Hindu moksha is liberation from samsara; Buddhist nirvana is the cessation of suffering's causes; Jain liberation is the freeing of the jiva from karmic matter; Sikh mukti involves merger with the divine. Islamic salvation is framed in terms of God's mercy and the Day of Judgment; Jewish thought emphasizes covenant relationship and the World to Come.

Comparative work on salvation has produced significant literature. The differences across traditions are real (liberation into non-dual identity in Advaita is not the same as resurrection life with God in Christian thought) while shared themes appear (the unsatisfactoriness of the current condition, the possibility of release or restoration, the dependence on something beyond ordinary human effort).

Within Christian tradition, the question of who is saved has been a continuing topic. Exclusivist positions (only those who explicitly profess Christ in this life), inclusivist positions (Christ's saving work may apply to those who never heard the gospel in particular ways), and universalist positions (all are eventually saved) all have advocates and significant theological literature[4].

Soteriology is one of the most extensively developed areas in Christian theology. Major works include Hans Urs von Balthasar's writings, Karl Barth's Church Dogmatics[5], and many others. Comparative soteriology has engaged Christian salvation alongside Hindu moksha, Buddhist nirvana, and other liberation concepts[4].

• The Christian Traditionby Jaroslav Pelikan
  book
• Models of Salvationby Sallie McFague
  book