SOTERIOLOGY AND WORLD RELIGION - A Comparative Introduction

While religions often differ in doctrine, rituals, and sacred texts, they are remarkably united in their pursuit of one common theme — salvation. Whether it's called redemption, liberation, enlightenment, or eternal life, the idea of being “saved” from suffering, evil, or separation from the divine lies at the core of most belief systems. Soteriology offers a lens through which we can explore how different world religions define, pursue, and interpret salvation.

Though the language may vary, most religions address three key questions:

1. What is the human problem?

2. What is the goal or state of salvation?

3. What is the path or means to achieve it?

For instance;

Christianity 

In Christian theology, the core problem is sin — a moral and spiritual condition that separates humanity from God. Salvation is understood as reconciliation with God through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The pathway to salvation is primarily through faith in Jesus, accompanied by grace, repentance, and a transformed life. Christianity teaches that salvation leads to eternal life with God.

Islam

Islam teaches that human beings are born pure, but are prone to forgetfulness and sin. The ultimate goal is to return to a state of righteousness and achieve Paradise in the hereafter. Salvation is attained by submitting to the will of Allah, believing in His oneness, following the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, and performing righteous deeds. Forgiveness from God is central to the process.

Buddhism

Buddhism does not speak of sin in the traditional sense, but of suffering caused by desire, ignorance, and attachment. The goal is nirvana — the cessation of suffering and escape from the cycle of rebirth (samsara). The path to this salvation is laid out in the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, which include ethical conduct, mental discipline, and wisdom.

Hinduism

Hindu soteriology identifies the problem as ignorance of the true self and entrapment in the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara). Salvation, or moksha, is the liberation of the soul (atman) and its union with the ultimate reality (Brahman). This can be achieved through various paths: knowledge (jnana yoga), devotion (bhakti yoga), right action (karma yoga), and meditation (raja yoga).

Judaism

In Judaism, salvation is more collective than individual. It’s tied to covenantal faithfulness, justice, and restoration — both spiritually and nationally. The Hebrew Bible focuses on God’s promises to Israel, and salvation is often linked to deliverance from oppression, return from exile, or living in right relationship with God. There’s also a growing emphasis in modern Judaism on ethical living and hope for a future Messianic age.

African Traditional Religions

In many African spiritual systems, salvation is viewed as harmony with ancestors, community, and nature. The problem is often seen as disharmony or spiritual imbalance. Salvation is not so much about a distant afterlife, but about restoration, protection, and blessing in this life and beyond — maintained through rituals, moral conduct, and connection with spiritual forces.

The Power of Comparison

By comparing soteriology across different religions, we begin to see that salvation is not a narrow concept but a universal framework that touches nearly every culture and belief system. It shows us the diversity of human experience — how some seek liberation from self, others reconciliation with God, and others harmony within a greater cosmic order.

Understanding these perspectives doesn't mean compromising one’s own beliefs. Instead, it opens the door to empathy, respect, and dialogue. It helps us appreciate the spiritual richness of the world and recognize that the longing for salvation — in whatever form — is one of the most powerful forces shaping human history and destiny.