Jesus as Salvation

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that it is legitimate to claim that (1) Jesus is the way to salvation of the soul and that (2) the global defeat of sin and the establishment of the kingdom is a metaphor for the work of salvation within the soul. The author explores Vincent Branick's book "Understanding the New Testament and Its Message", which speaks of what two forms of salvation competing or coexisting within the Bible: (1) The internal, having to do with the cleansing of the soul and the indwellment of Christ and (2) The eschatological sort of salvation, which deals with Christ's second coming, his overcoming the world and finally creating a new heaven and earth. The paper relates that the teachings of Jesus regarding esteeming others above one's self and emptying one's self of worries for the world are closely paralleled in the pacifistic teachings of Eastern mystics.

From the Paper:

"Branick rightfully points out how all the writers of the New Testament seem to expect Christ's imminent return. He even suggests that the scriptures were altered to cover up the fact that Christ was running a little behind schedule. Now, 2000 years later, it seems rather obvious that Jesus is not intending a speedy physical return -- at least not as we count speed, nor as the Biblical Christians did. It increasingly seems unlikely that Christ will show up on a white horse to purge the world of sin. If this is necessary to the ideology of salvation, then one might do well to scoff at it. It does not seem to be legitimate to project that Christ will save the world from the evil which is wrecked upon it by humans or by nature."

More papers on Jesus as Salvation:

• Analytical Essay # 126525 : "Salvation in Christianity: Interaction with God"
• Persuasive Essay # 110929 : "The Salvation of Christ and Judaism"
• Essay # 137838 : "“Salvation” by Langston Hughes and The Way to Rainy Mountain by N. Scott Momaday"

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