Class 1 of 3

THEOLOGY OF
SALVATION
Course Synopsis:
Salvation is the application of the work of Christ to the lives of humans. It has utmost relevance
because it meets the most crucial need of humanity. Join us as we grapple with how human sin meets
with the beauty of the cross.

Contents:

Part 1 Introduction to Theology

Part 2 Salvation – the Reason Jesus Came

Part 3 Brief Historical Theology of Salvation

Part 4 Brief Biblical Theology of Salvation

Part 5 Key Concepts of Salvation

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Lesson 1

Introduction

Part 1: Introduction to Theology

Definition of Theology

Theos: God

Logos: doctrine or study

Together, they basically mean the sum of the things we say regarding God. Hence, a theologian is anyone
who has asked the ultimate questions of life, such as what is life, what happens after death, or what is the
difference between right and wrong. As such, no one can escape the fact that they have a theology and
are, therefore, in some sense, a theologian.

Two Orientations to Theology

• Academic Orientation:

An academic orientation to theology teaches and develops doctrines that focus on intellectual matters

Advantage:

- It emphasizes one of God’s wondrous gifts to humanity, our rational ability.

Disadvantage:

- Theologians often gather, analyze, and collate facts about God with remarkable skill but they fail
to give the same careful attention to living in service to God.

Acts 17:1-3
1
When Paul and his companions had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to
Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2 As was his custom, Paul went into the
synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and
proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you
is the Messiah,” he said.

• Life Orientation

A life orientation to theology teaches and develops doctrines that focus on broader issues of our
whole life in Christ.

Advantage:

- It brings believers to not just proper learning, but proper living

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 James 1:22
22
Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

Disadvantages:

- It can lead to anti-intellectualism. Christians with this orientation may reject the value of careful
rigorous theological analysis.

- Lean towards spiritual intuition without careful examination. May lead to false teaching and
misconceptions to the Christian faith.

Goals of Building Theology

Matthew 22:37-39
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your

mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as
yourself.’

• Orthodoxy: Right Thinking

John 17:17
17 Sanctify them by[d] the truth; your word is truth.

• Orthopraxis: Right Behaviour

John 14:15
15 “If you love me, keep my commands.

• Orthopathos: Right Feelings

Galatians 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.

Understanding, Living Out and Feeling Our Faith

Why is it important for us to understand what we believe? How is our understanding of our faith related
to and affect our behaviour and emotions? Which area are you weaker in and how can you build yourself
up in it?

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Different Fields of Theology

• Historical Theology

Historical theology is a historical study of how Christians in different periods have understood
various theological topics. It informs us of the insights gained and the mistakes made by others
previously in understanding Scriptures.

Historical theology lies behind both biblical theology and systematic theology.

• Biblical Theology

Biblical theology is theological reflection drawn from the historical analysis of acts of God reported
in Scripture.

• Systematic Theology

Systematic theology is “any study that answers the question, ‘What does the whole Bible teach us
today?’ about any topic.” This involves understanding all the passages in the Bible on various topics
and then summarizing their teachings clearly so that we know what to believe about each topic.

The Need for Theology

• Theology is important because correct doctrinal beliefs are essential to the relationship between the
believer and God.

• Theology is necessary because truth and experience are related. In the long run, the truth will affect
our experience.

• Theology is needful because of the large number of alternatives and challenges abroad at the present
time.

“If our theology does not quicken the conscience and soften the heart, it actually hardens both; if it does not encourage the
commitment of faith, it reinforces the detachment of unbelief, if it fails to promote humility, it inevitably feeds pride”
- J.I. Packer

1 Timothy 4:16
Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself
and your hearers.

Theology in Our Own Lives

How do we approach theology? Do we see it as a need to solve conundrums about God, answer our
curious questions, for evangelistic purposes, or ultimately with an attitude of worship?

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Part 2: Salvation – the Reason Jesus Came

Salvation is a broad term referring to God’s activity on behalf of creation and especially humans in
bringing all things to God’s intended goal. More specifically, salvation entails God’s deliverance of
humans from the power and effects of sin and the Fall through the work of Jesus Christ so that creation
in general and humans in particular can enjoy the fullness of life intended for what God has made.
Specific to our study, the Christian doctrine of salvation thus focuses on Jesus Christ, as the redeemer
and savior of the world. As such, the doctrine of salvation is central to our beliefs as Christians because
Jesus came to save sinners and restore the created order.

John 3:16-17
16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall
not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but to save the world through him.

1 Timothy 1:15
15
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save
sinners—of whom I am the worst.

As a concept, salvation is broadly described throughout Scripture. In connection to other doctrines of

God, Sin, Man, and Christ, it has many implications for our Christian living.

In relating to God, we learn:

• To recognise the redemptive story that He has initiated

The story of salvation began from the earliest pages of Scripture. As man sinned and turned away from
God, we see the first sign of the gospel – a hint of a saviour that will come to defeat the tempter and
bring restoration to man. This redemptive story would continue throughout biblical history to the time
of Jesus. The Bible then points forward, the redemptive story eventually leads to the reckoning to come
at the end-times.

Genesis 3:15
15
15 And I will put enmity
between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and hers;
he will crush your head,
and you will strike his heel.”

• To appreciate how God’s sovereignty meets with human accountability in salvation

God is the initiator of salvation as humanity has no way of saving themselves. This initiation is in the
gospel – God’s gracious intent since the Book of Genesis. Salvation is costly, Jesus would be the atoning
sacrifice for our sins. While humanity cannot work their way to salvation, we are then posed with a choice
– how would we respond to God’s initiation?

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 Ephesians 2:8-9
8
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift
of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

• To live out our salvation in Christ

Salvation is not simply a singular point of our story, but a process that runs through to the very end of
our lives. And to that end, we live out our salvation, being sanctified and persevering in the faith as we
depend on God.

Phil 2:12
12
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much
more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God
who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfil his good purpose.

In relating to the world around us, we learn:

• To preach the gospel to pre-believers

Over church history, the presentation of the gospel of Christ has taken many forms. A firm
understanding of salvation reminds us of the heart of the gospel message that we present to the watching
world.

• To understand ourselves through the lens of the gospel

The depth of our understanding of salvation correlates with factors such as our understanding of our sin
and the price of atonement. The study of salvation reminds us to reflect on our roots and our need for
a saviour, lest we take it for granted.

Ephesians 2:11-13
11
Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by
those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— 12
remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and
foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now
in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

• To minister to fellow believers

If believers can leave the gospel of grace and turn to their own ways, how then can the church persevere
in the faith as a community? The story of Israel’s turning away from God reminds us that we cannot take
for granted our faith as a community. There is a part to play as a family of believers to be a holy
community.

Galatians 1:6-7a
6
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of
Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 which is really no gospel at all.

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 From the time you first came to faith till today – why do you follow Jesus?
How did you first come to have saving faith in Jesus? What did you imagine Christianity to be? If you
look back, how has the gospel that brings salvation changed the way you live over the years?

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Part 3: Brief Historical Theology of Salvation

A history study of how events have influenced the theology of salvation.

If a person becomes saved (reconciled with God through forgiveness of sins as well as inwardly
renewed so that the inherited corruption of sin is being healed), why and how does that happen?

This is the issue of the so-called ordo salutis, order of salvation, including the question of God’s agency
(initiative, will, action) and the human person’s agency and how they work together. What does God
have to do with this personal salvation? What does the person who is saved have to do with it? Is it all
of God? Is it a cooperation between God and the human person? What is involved in this aspect of
salvation?

• Old Testament

God repeatedly reminds His people that they are chosen by Him and He will deliver them from their
oppression.

Deuteronomy 7:6-8
6
For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all
the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.
7
The Lord did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous
than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. 8 But it was because the Lord loved you
and kept the oath he swore to your ancestors that he brought you out with a mighty hand and
redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

Deuteronomy 14:2
2
for you are a people holy to the Lord your God. Out of all the peoples on the face of the earth,
the Lord has chosen you to be his treasured possession.

• New Testament

Gift Task

We are saved by grace. In response, we have a living faith that transforms

the way we live.
Ephesians 2:8-9
8
For it is by grace you have been saved, James 2:17, 24
17
through faith—and this is not from In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not
yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by accompanied by action, is dead. … 24 You see that a
works, so that no one can boast. person is considered righteous by what they do
and not by faith alone.

The way to reconcile the seemingly conflicting ideas is to regard salvation as both a divine gift (provided,
offered) and requiring a necessary human response (accepted, maintained).

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This paradox of personal salvation is expressed succinctly by the Apostle Paul in Philippians 2:12-
13, “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much
more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who
works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”

Apostle Paul also quotes from Deuteronomy in his epistle to Titus in explaining salvation that’s offered
to all.

Titus 2:11-14
11
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No”
to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this
present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and
Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for
himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

• Early Church/Medieval Period

Augustine of Hippo (A.D. 354 - A.D. 430)

In response to the heresy of Pelagianism, which asserted that man’s salvation lay ultimately within his
own grasp, Augustine emphasised God’s grace in enabling man to avoid sin and do good. He holds that
man is free to choose and do good only if and when God grants us that freedom. The paradox of
salvation as both gift and task – with priority of grace over works – was officially affirmed and elevated
to the status of doctrine.

Gregory the Great (the first Medieval Pope)

Gregory believed that there are believers who die without adequately finding forgiveness for all of their
sins will not be condemned to hell. However, they are not considered to have received sufficient grace
to merit full salvation. This led to the doctrine of purgatory in the medieval church.

Thomas Aquinas (A.D. 1225 – A.D. 1274)

Aquinas affirmed that it is necessary for someone to make satisfaction for sin and that someone would
need to be a sinless person. This necessitates the God-man, for it would not be fitting for God to
forgive in another way. It is also necessary for humans to participate with God in order for this
salvation to be obtained, i.e. occurs through the works of grace (e.g. penance, confession and
contrition) available to believers.

• 16th Century

Martin Luther - Founder of a major movement within Western Christianity that sparked the divide
between the Protestants and Roman Catholic. Martin Luther believed that the Catholic church of his day
was implicitly denying the gospel of salvation through grace.

• Modern Era (18 Century onwards)

th

Great Awakening – John Wesley and George Whitefield, founders of the Methodist movement.

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The Christian Consensus About Personal Salvation

According to all major Christian traditions over two thousand years of reflection and proclamation,
personal salvation is both gift and task. Some Christians have emphasized the gift aspect of personal
salvation more than the task side, while others have highlighted the task side more than the gift side.

Underlying that diversity there is agreement: “Salvation is primarily a gift in which the initiator is God,
and yet there is something for the human person to do even if only to accept the gift.” (Roger Olson)

True Christian belief about salvation affirms the gospel – the unconditional good news that fallen,
alienated, corrupted and guilty human beings may receive forgiveness, reconciliation and inward renewal
toward restoration of the image of God as a free gift through the simple appropriation process of
receiving it by repentance and faith.

A Unifying Christian Perspective on Salvation

Salvation is wholly a gift of grace – not at all deserved or earned – and at the same time received by
persons through grateful reception by repentance and faith.

What can we learn from the history of theology on salvation? How will this belief affect the way
we do evangelism and outreach?

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Part 4: Brief Biblical Theology of Salvation
In this section, we examine the biblical concept of salvation as it develops from the sense of physical
rescue in the present life (e.g. deliverance from danger to crisis) to the idea of spiritual rescue often
associated with the afterlife (e.g. forgiveness from sins, eternal life).

The Old Testament

Yāša (Hebrew) – to save, help in distress, rescue, deliver, set free

• Most references to salvation in the Old Testament are about physical deliverance in life
before death. Old Testament writers will see salvation as a reality more physical than
spiritual, more corporate than individual. When we see individuals are singled out it seems to
be for the good of the community.

Joseph - Genesis 45:4-7

Noah - Genesis 7-9
Abraham - Genesis 12:1-3
Moses - Exodus 1-12
Esther - Esther 7

• Despite the importance of human agency, salvation is attributed above all to God.

Act of God’s Deliverance - Exo 14, 15:1-21, Deut 24:18

Instruction in the Wilderness - Exo 15:22-17

The Good Shepherd - Eze 34

Other references: Isa 30:15, Isa 43:14 ; Hosea 1:7, Jer 17:14, Jer 3:23, Exo 14:13, Psalm 62, Psalm
68:19, Psalm 69:29, Ps. 121

• Salvation from sin, though not a dominant concern, is by no means absent, especially in
the prophets.

Cleansing from sin - Eze 36:22-33

Servant song - Isaiah 52:13-53:12

• For the Jews of the Old Testament salvation was not an abstract concept, but a real and
present experience.

David’s Song of Deliverance - 2 Sam 22

Zion’s Coming Salvation - Isaiah 61-62

Other references - Ps 18:2, Ps 51:12, Ps 116:13, Isa 12:3

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The New Testament

In the New Testament, New Testament writers extend salvation beyond the Jewish identity. Gentiles are
grafted in (Romans 11:17) and are now partakers of the promises in God. Salvation belongs to those
who follow Jesus Christ, who is the mystery and grace of God now revealed (Titus 2:11).

Sōtēria (Greek) - deliverance, salvation, future salvation that redeems from all earthly ills

Jesus deepens the Old Testament conviction that salvation belongs to God alone, but with greater
specificity. Now it is God's presence in and to the man Jesus that proves decisive. Peter's certainty of this
relation between "Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified" and the "God [who raised him] from
the dead" moves him to the exclusive confession that salvation belongs only to the name of Jesus Christ.

Salvation is described as:

A mystery of God that is now revealed Eph 3:9 ; 6:19

A plan conceived before the foundations of the world Eph 1:3-14

A light for revelation to the Gentiles Luke 2:30-32

A transition from death to life John 5:24

A message especially for sinners Mark 2:17

A gift of grace through faith not of works Eph 2:8-9

That for which the whole creation groans Rom 8:22

The revelation of God's righteousness to faith and for faith Rom 1:16-17

The justification that comes through faith Rom 4:22-25

Reconciliation, and redemption 2 Cor 5:18-19, Rom

8:23

A spiritual birth, a birth from above without which one cannot enter the John 3:1-11
kingdom

Salvation means death to and freedom from sin Rom 6

A new perspective that transcends the human point of view and participation Rom 5:16-17
in a new creation

Peace with God Rom 5:1

Life as adopted children of God's Gal 4:4

Baptism into Christ's death Rom 6:4

and the reception of the Holy Spirit Rom 5, 8

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 • Salvation encompasses both the physical and spiritual dimensions of life, having
relevance for the whole person. Effects of salvation:
o Put to death…, put them all away…, put off…, put on. - Colossians 3
o Therefore put away…, But be doers of the word… - James 1:21-22
o Loving your neighbour, caring for the poor - James 2:1-7, Acts 9:36, Acts 10:4, 31, Acts
24:17, Gal 2:10
o Forgiveness of sins and physical healing frequently coexist, as in the healing of the
paralytic. - Mark 2:1-12

• Salvation also extends beyond the parameters of national Jewish identity.

o All deserve God’s wrath - Rom 1-3
o Jesus' death was for all people - John 11:51-52
o Jesus speaks to the Jews - Acts 1:6-8, Luke 24:25-26
o Repentance and forgiveness of sins were to be proclaimed to all nations - Luke 24:47
o Gentiles grafted in - Rom 11:17
o The Gospel was given in advance in the form of God’s promise to bless all the nations
through Abraham - Gal 3:7-8

• The objective and subjective basis and means of salvation:

o Objective: God’s sovereign and gracious choice to be “God with us” in the person of
Jesus Christ.
§ Christ is the author and mediator of Salvation - Heb 2:10, 7:25
§ "Christ crucified" is of central importance for salvation - 1 Cor 1:23
§ Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures - 1 Cor 15:3; Rom 4:25; Matt
20:28; Rom 5:8-10
§ So critical is the resurrection to the future hope of salvation that "If Christ has
not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.” - 1 Cor 15:17

o Subjective: Personal repentance and faith

§ Association with baptism - John the Baptist (Matt 3:2 ; Mark 1:4), Peter (Acts
2:38), Paul (Acts 20:21)
§ Jesus said salvation required belief in him - Mark 16:15 ; John 6:47, John 10:7
§ Paul states the importance of confession with the mouth that “Jesus is Lord -
Rom 10:8-9
§ Hearing of the gospel is of no value unless combined with faith - Heb 4:1

• The New Testament articulates salvation in terms of past, present, and future time.
o Elected before the foundation of the world - Eph 1:4
o Work out salvation with fear and trembling - Phil 2:12
o A salvation that lies waiting to be revealed in the last time - 1 Peter 1:5

What are the essential elements in the Gospel of salvation? How does knowing these elements
help you in understanding your own salvation? How does it affect you in how you present the
Gospel to the pre-believers?
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Part 5: Key Concepts of Salvation
Consequently, salvation is the application of the work of Christ to the lives of humans.

The meaning of the term ‘salvation’ may seem somewhat obvious to persons familiar with it. Yet even
within Christian circles there are rather widely differing conceptions of what salvation entails.

Through the review of historical and biblical theology, the basic understanding of salvation includes:
• Forgiveness
• Resurrection Body
• Everlasting Life

Beyond that, differing conceptions of salvation have developed over many years, emphasizing various
aspects of salvation.

Current Conception of Brief description

Salvation
Liberal Theology Emphasizes a new social and economic order.
Secular Theology Believes that salvation comes when individuals separate from religion to
solve their own problems.
Contemporary Roman Emphasizes the church as the channel of God’s grace. Within itself
Catholicism Theology contains diversity.
Evangelical Theology Salvation brings about restoration of our relationship with God and leads
to a total change in an individual that progresses through sanctification
toward glorification.

The time dimension of salvation

Salvation is variously thought of as a single occurrence at the beginning of the Christian life, a process
continuing throughout the Christian life, or a future event.

Salvation and its constituent aspects can be conceived of in several different ways.

1. A series of points

. . . . .
2. A series of discontinuous process

_________ _________ __________ ________

3. A series of overlapping process

__________
____________
______________
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 4. A single continuous process with distinguishable components

______|______|_______|______

The nature of the need for salvation

For salvation to have its right meaning, what we are being “saved from” requires clarification. What is
the deficiency found in humanity?

A survey of the biblical theology points us to the:

i) Vertical need – Humanity’s relationship with God
ii) Horizontal – Humanity’s broken relationship with one another

The medium of salvation

Salvation has been seen to be transmitted through physical acts, moral behaviour, or mediated through
faith. Each approach determines the response/actions required of believers in order to be saved.

The direction of movement in salvation

It can be perceived that God works through salvation in humanity individually, or societally – that is
through human social structures. Each approach determines the focus of believers in activity regarding
the Great Commission.

The extent of salvation

This defines who will receive salvation. Universalists hold that God will restore all human relationships
to Him. Particularists sees salvation as based on individual responses to the grace of God.

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In our view, the key concepts of salvation can be summarized in the table below:
Concept Brief description
The time dimension A combination of continuous points and processes
The nature of the need While each reflects the brokenness of humanity, our vertical brokenness
for salvation leads to our horizontal brokenness.
The medium of We receive salvation by the grace of God, through faith in Jesus.
salvation
The direction of God sovereignly works in individuals and in society. Believers are called to
movement in salvation preach the gospel to people because of our human sinfulness.
The extent of salvation Those who choose to respond in faith to God’s initiation of the gospel will
be saved.

Said out, or lived aloud?

Has salvation “paused” in your life? Or has it been completed? Do we externalise, our internalise our
vertical and horizontal brokenness? Do we live like Jesus truly saves, or do we count on something
else? How do we view our friends who “do well”, or are “good people?” Do they really need to come
to faith in Jesus? Our views of salvation are not meant to be said out, but to be lived aloud. It will take
a lifetime of reflection upon salvation in our lives.

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