Salvation (as I understand it)

I was recently asked by a friend to explain the nature of salvation as I understood it. This is a difficult subject to approach with friends. We often say, “We should not discuss politics or religion.” But she asked so I felt I should do the best I could to explain my beliefs.

The gospel, as I understand it, is not a system of beliefs. But it is an event. It is the redemptive activity of God in the history of man. The gospel is not a commandment that men be good. It is the revelation that God is good and God’s goodness is expressed in involving Godself in the human situation. Thus the central focus of the gospel is this reconciling act. The disciple must be something in addition to saying something. The word of God then refers to the action of God. In this sense, the proclamation of the message is a call to action or to response.

Inasmuch as the activity of Jesus occurred in the context of a community of persons, his message demonstrated and taught a different style of life within that community. It was a style of life characterized by a redemptive love and fellowship. It follows that the gospel can best be faithfully witnessed within a fellowship of persons attempting to demonstrate that same unique lifestyle. The message is then, not simply a word or words, nor simply a solitary good life, but rather is the message held forth before man in the form of participation in a community of love.

Several problems present themselves when discussing salvation. One relates to the attitude that if one adheres to certain prescribed principles, this will earn for him in the afterlife, another life in heaven. This attitude suggests that the gospel is a set of principles and that salvation is a reward for obeying them. The idea of earned salvation in an afterlife suggests the preeminence of the next world over this one and associates salvation with it alone. It is also a rather selfish viewpoint that is all about “me” and my reward. Salvation is concerned with how life is lived in this life and with man’s ability to appropriate the fullness of life for himself as well as others. The salvation inherent in the gospel frees men to be truly and fully human. It is a condition by which his life has been made by God what it has not been previously…a true and full life. If one lives this life the best possible and to the best of one’s ability for the benefit of others, any reward in an afterlife will take care of itself.

The gospel, as I understand it, is designed to save us from ourselves and to save us for one another. It enables men to live together in mutual helpfulness, just as Jesus taught and demonstrated.

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