LIBERTY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
Image of Salvation
Submitted to Dr. Thomas Spotts,
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
THEO 104-B19
Introduction to Theology Survey
by
Rachel Brunner
March 4, 2022
Introduction
All throughout Christian theology, the aspect of salvation is incredibly important.
Salvation in Christian theology explains the sacrifice Christ made for all people to save
us from sin and bring us into a relationship with God. Christ gives us the wonderful gift
of salvation, but some still believe it is something we must earn. According to scripture,
salvation was given to us as a gift, and with that, we are redeemed through Christ’s
sacrifice on the cross. Redemption is a crucial doctrine in Christian theology and will be
the focus of this essay. Redemption can be related to several problems of sin yet still be
applied in my everyday life and my future career as a therapist.
Definition and Description
The definition of redemption in a regular dictionary does not reflect the same
meaning throughout scripture. Redemption can be viewed all through the biblical,
theological, and historical areas of Christianity. Author Gabriel Etzel states, “the idea
expressed with the word redemption is “to buy back” or “to purchase” (Etzel). However,
Gabriel Etzel later states “The price for our redemption is Jesus’s death on the cross”
(Etzel). Through the theological aspect of redemption this illustrates logic and how it
works through redemption. Jesus sacrificed his life for us on the cross, which gives us
the opportunity for redemption. Redemption has always been a part of God’s plan in
order to release us from the bondage and sin. Throughout the Old Testament, there are
several examples of redemption. For example, Dr. Etzel explains that the “first act of
salvation for the nation of Israel was their liberation from slavery in Egypt” (Etzel). This
concept is evident in the Old Testament when the Egyptian slaves were redeemed and set
free. Also, in the New Testament, redemption is evident when Christians are saved from
sin through Christ dying on the cross. Redemption can be seen all through the biblical,
theological, and historical areas of Christianity but also is evident within the problems of
sin.
was our propitiation…
he
satisfaction of God's
Problem of Sin
Redemption and the problem of sin relate in many ways. For example, as
humans, we are in bondage and sin every day. We are sinful and are in bondage but are
granted freedom through the blood of Christ. Romans 3:23-24 says, “for all have sinned
and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the
redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” We are in need of redemption and Christ is the only
one who can forgive us of our sins and redeem us. When being held in bondage to sin we
can still be redeemed for free through the incredible sacrifice Christ made for us. The
doctrine of redemption is evidenced in the problem of sin and can be used as a way for
those in bondage to become redeemed. The problem of sin can be solved through
Christ’s redemption, and I can implement the doctrine of redemption in my own life and
how I live my life every day.
Application
I can apply the doctrine of redemption to help the problem of sin through my
work as a therapist. Many people are stuck in sin and don’t know what to do or how to
be redeemed. As a therapist, I can help guide people in the right direction and help them
to have a real relationship with God. So many people are broken and don’t know right
from wrong due to lack of knowledge, from living in pain from their upbringing, or
experiences they may have suffered. As a therapist, I can help others to lean on God as
their strength and trust in Him. Frequently people ask God how He could let bad things
happen to good people. In the Bible it states in Romans 8:28, “And we know that for
those who love God all things work together for good for those who are called according
to his purpose.” It is important to remember God will always be there for us, and as a
therapist, I can lead others to who Christ is and how much He loves them and desires to
redeem them by asking for forgiveness of their sins. Redemption is a gift for everyone,
and it is not something you have to pay for because Christ already paid the price for our
sins on the cross. My career as a therapist can be used to help and show the doctrine of
redemption and how the doctrine of redemption covers the problem of sin.
Conclusion
he
satisfaction of God's
All throughout Christian theology the doctrine of redemption is extremely
important. Christ gives us the gift of redemption and saves us from the bondage to sin.
Even in Roman 6:23 it states, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is
eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Redemption is displayed all throughout the Bible
and saves us from sin. As a therapist I will be helping others recognize the truth and be
redeemed. Based on biblical, theological, and historical content, sin can always be
forgiven, and through the doctrine of redemption of Christ’s work on the cross we are
saved from sin.
Works Cited
Etzel, Gabriel. Everyday Theology. B&H Academic, 2017.
The Bible. English Standard Version, Crossway, 2001. Print
