The Meaning Of Salvation Examined Within The Beliefs Of Significant Religions

By Steven Fox


The Meaning of Salvation is a significant feature in most of the prominent faiths on earth. Despite differing in some regard as to how to attain this condition, its accomplishment is still the major desire of most devotees.

The textbook definition of salvation refers to a state of deliverance from harm or difficulty, destruction, loss or forces geared towards ruination and evil. In the press four example it is not uncommon to see this term used to describe someone or something as being the the political or economic salvation of a situation badly impacting an economy or circumstances in politics. Use in a religious situation would be more related towards been delivered and saved from a sinful state and associated consequences thereof.

The teachings of Islam in the Koran tell us that salvation is only attainable through the worship of God alone. A person must believe in God, follow His commandments and worship sincerely. Islamic theologians add that in addition to complete belief, our works, state of repentance and the mercy of Allah are all necessary ingredients, but it is the state of complete submission to the most merciful that is the foundation.

The doctrine of the Buddhist faith see salvation as being able to reach a position of Nirvana. This is probably best understood by imagining being able to reach a position of sublime and total peace, or as Buddhists followers will say, to become the Buddha. Reaching the state of Nirvana prescribes that a follower must adhere in personal lifestyle according to the teachings of the Noble Eight-fold Path. This approach includes believers relation to his or her natural environment. Dominating the Eight-fold Path is a thorough understanding the concepts dealing with suffering as explained in the Four Noble Truths.

Salvation for Christians is embedded in the belief in and acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and that the incarnation, persecution and death of Jesus, through crucifixion, as related in the Bible, took away the sins of believers and made possible an eternal life in heaven in union with God the Father. Fundamental to this is the realization that mankind is inherently sinful. Forgiveness and redemption is there for all who truly believe and confess, but that this is granted through grace, not through acts or deeds, and that Jesus paid the price to atone for the sins of the faithful.

The history of Judaism overlaps and is mixed up with that of Christians. The Jewish faith did not recognize Jesus and his teachings on the forgiveness of sins and eternal life. The idea that God could appear in human form was also rejected by the Jews many of whom see salvation as being delivered from exile. Deliverance is a common theme throughout Jewish theology and is believed to be attained more through observing high moral standards and ethics as laid out in the verses of the Torah, particularly the Ten Commandments.

Dating back a lengthy three and a half thousand years BC, Hinduism is the oldest organized religion on earth. Interestingly the beliefs and prescripts of the Hindus have undergone an evolution over this period resulting in it frequently being referred to as a living religion. The doctrine relating to salvation has also changed as the faith evolved. Referred to as Moksha, the belief is that the process of repeatedly being reincarnated through life and death is halted when an individual reaches a point of completeness. This final state is seen as the ultimate for Hindus as it implies one being at one or in union with God.

Whilst doctrine and methods of worship do vary, the main religions on the planet appear to be pursuing similar objectives.




About the Author: