WHAT IS SOTERIOLOGY? Exploring the study of Salvation

By Pastor Eddy

Soteriology is the theological study of salvation — a subject that lies at the heart of nearly every major religious tradition. Derived from the Greek words Soteria meaning salvation and logos meaning "word", "Idea" or "study", soteriology seeks to understand how human beings are saved, redeemed, or liberated from suffering, sin, or the cycle of birth and death.

At its core, soteriology addresses some of life’s most profound questions: What are we being saved from? Who or what saves us? What does salvation look like? And how can it be attained? These questions take different shapes depending on the religious or philosophical system being studied, but the underlying pursuit remains the same — the quest for spiritual wholeness and ultimate meaning.

In Christianity, soteriology is centered on the belief that salvation comes through Jesus Christ. It teaches that humanity is separated from God because of sin, and that Jesus’ death and resurrection provide the means of reconciliation through faith and grace. The emphasis is on redemption, atonement, and the promise of eternal life.

In contrast, Buddhism does not speak of salvation in terms of sin and forgiveness. Instead, it emphasizes liberation from suffering (dukkha) and the endless cycle of rebirth (samsara). The goal is to reach Nirvana — a state of enlightenment and inner peace — through the practice of ethical living, mindfulness, and wisdom, particularly by following the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path.

Hinduism’s soteriology revolves around the idea of moksha, or liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth. This is achieved through realizing the unity of the soul (atman) with the ultimate reality (Brahman), often pursued through various paths like devotion (bhakti), knowledge (jnana), or disciplined action (karma yoga).

In Islam, salvation is understood as being saved from the consequences of sin and achieving eternal life in Paradise. It is attained through submission to the will of Allah, sincere repentance, faith in God’s oneness, and righteous deeds.

While the details vary greatly, the soteriological focus of all these religions reveals something universal: human beings are aware of a need for transformation. Whether it is forgiveness, liberation, enlightenment, or harmony with the divine, there is a shared longing for a state of completeness beyond the brokenness of the present condition.

Having that background, soteriology matters for various reasons:

➡️It deepens our understanding of spiritual identity and purpose.

➡️It encourages respectful engagement between people of different faiths by highlighting both similarities and differences.

➡️It invites personal reflection, helping individuals think critically about what they believe regarding life, death, and what lies beyond.

Ultimately, soteriology isn’t just a theological concept for scholars — it is a living conversation about hope, change, and the possibility of transcendence. It reminds us that salvation, however it is defined, is a journey that touches every aspect of human life: mind, body, soul and spirit. 


Comments

Pst John said…
There's always a need for salvation in every human soul no matter the culture or race or religious background. Furthermore even the creature earnestly awaits for salvation when the sons of God manifest as sons of God - Roms 8:19
July 5, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

UNVEIL YOUR PURPOSE

By John Ouma Every human being has a purpose and the destiny connected to that purpose. Missing the purpose is equivalent to missing your destiny. 'The greatest tragedy in life is not death but rather living a life without a purpose'- Dr Myles Munroe. Whether a purpose connected to your community, family, church, school etc you cannot cause an impact when you do not discover that UNIQUE essence of your life. Without understanding our purposes we live ordinary mundane lives because there is no driving force within us. PURPOSE is the true essence of a human's life. It is the inward motivation that connects the mind to the body and pushes you to perform or do anything. When we don't discover our true purpose we end up pursuimg things that only steal our time but have no destiny connected with our lives. A purpose driven life is nurtured from a young age and that is exactly what our mission is. We have a load of work to cultivate the purpose of every youth according to God...
Read more

SALVATION THROUGH CHRIST – Core Christian Belief

At the heart of the Christian faith lies one central message: salvation is available through Jesus Christ . This belief is not merely a theological idea but the foundation upon which Christianity stands. It affirms that humanity, broken by sin and alienated from God, can be reconciled, redeemed, and restored through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. For Christians around the world, this is more than doctrine — it is the good news , the very meaning of hope, love, and eternal life. The Problem: Sin and Separation According to Christian teaching, all human beings have sinned and fall short of God's glory (Romans 3:23). Sin is not just about bad behavior — it is a condition of separation from God. It affects our thoughts, actions, and relationships. Because of sin, humanity lives under spiritual death — a state of alienation from the life and presence of God. This brokenness is both personal and universal. It can be seen in individual struggles, societal injustice, moral fai...
Read more

THE UNSTOPPABLE YOUTH

By John Ouma Youth Ablaze is the young people's signature effort to invest in the next generation of leaders. We are a vibrant community where young people can learn and be mentored to improve their skills and effect change around important issues in their lives and communities. In a world of youths that struggle with validation Yoith Ablaze is devoted at empowering and enlightening the young people to be impactful without the sense of low self esteem and intimidation. The youths always have the power to shape the future and whenever we realize our God given gifts we can move mountains together and cause change no matter the background one comes from nor the economic status. Every person is unique and if we invest in unveiling our gifts we can excel in our enterpreneural skills, ministries, careers and be able to build communities to the glory of God. I believe that if we become more robust in our vision we can forcefully break out of the limitations of cultures, traditions and rel...
Read more