What in the World is Salvation?

One of my hopes is to have an ongoing conversation with people who are curious about Christianity.  Sometimes that conversation needs to be about doctrines that are central to our Faith.

One of those is the Doctrine of Salvation. 

Some believe that Salvation is all about getting to go to heaven when we die.  In the church of my youth we talked a lot about “getting saved.”  (And the pastor would add an “uh” for emphasis.  “You need to get saved…uh!”)  For us, salvation was pretty much all about eternal life after our mortal lives were over.  

We quoted John 3:16, the most familiar verse in the Bible, a lot.  For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. (RSV)       

However, while Salvation is certainly not less than being in heaven when we die, it is more than that, much more!

Here’s a short definition.  Salvation, according to the Bible, is the complete healing of our broken world, including the broken people in it. 

Remember, John 3:17 comes right after John 3:16.  For God sent the Son into the world, [the Cosmos] not to condemn the world, but that the world, might be saved through him.  (RSV - I added the underlining for emphasis.)  

So, salvation is not just about the transportation of individual human beings to a place called heaven.  Salvation is about the transformation of human beings and the place they call home, the heavens and the earth.

In the book of Revelation, the writer hears loud voices in heaven saying: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.”  Later he hears a loud voice in heaven say: “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come.” (Revelation 11&12 - RSV)      

Think about the global implications of salvation coming to our world! 

For example, nations will no longer engage in warfare.  The prophet Isaiah dreamed of a day when nations would repurpose their military weapons, converting them into farming equipment.

Isaiah 2:4 He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.” (RSV)

Think about it!  No more refugees desperately trying to escape violence in their homeland because their leaders have converted their tanks into tractors.  No more children going hungry because their leaders have redirected billions of dollars from the department of defense to the department of agriculture.    

Think about the implications for individuals like you and me.  Remember, salvation is transformation.  It’s about becoming fully human… the people we were created to be. 

Being saved means that I can actually love my neighbor as I love myself.  I don’t need to protect my ego.  I am free to be honest with myself and others.  I can share freely instead of hording for myself.  I no longer use or abuse others for my own selfish purposes.  I live in the reality of God’s salvation!

More needs to be said about the Doctrine of Salvation.  (The next blog will be about how salvation is coming to the world.)  But for now, let me ask you...  Does this description of salvation tap into a deep longing in your soul?  Does something inside of you yearn for it?  Does the very idea that the world could be a place characterized by Shalom (Peace) resonate deep inside of you?    

If so, I encourage you to contemplate the powerful impact Jesus of Nazareth has had, and is having on our world.  As a follower of Jesus, I have come to believe that the future of the human race depends on what he is up to in this world.  I have come to believe that salvation is not just a future hope, it is a present reality.  I have come to believe that the transformation of our world (including you and me) is a live option.  It can happen now. 

I would be love to hear your thoughts.