What is Soteriology? Soteriology is the study of salvation. This realm of theological study deals with the ins and outs of the work of God in bringing creation, and especially humans, to enjoy the divine purpose for existence (Grentz, et. al, 1999; p.108).
As a Salvation Army soteriology is important. Our name mentions it. Salvation and our understanding of it, is paramount.
The Salvation Army believes that to follow God you must have a relationship with Christ. The fact is we are sinners, and God is a holy God. Therefore, through the redemptive blood of Christ and the grace of God we are forgiven. We cannot water down the idea that we are sinners in need of repentance (turing away from our sin). Granted it is not necessarily a popular message in the consumer driven western world, but the truth is nonetheless the same. I'd be interested in your opinion on this.
Jesus came to seek and save that which was lost. He also came to redeem creation back to its creator, which I believe would happen more and more as people become believers in Jesus, and begin to live their lives reflecting the values of the Kingdom of God.
Lets not underplay sin. But I challenge people to share in the absolute joy of redemption that is found in Christ.
We have a young lady in our Corps who became a follower of Jesus a few months ago. She now talks about Jesus on facebook, lifts her hands in passionate worship, she refuses to work on Sundays, she serves the Lord. This is a story The Salvation Army will continue to hear in the future. Its the practical outworking of this area of study we call soteriology.
So is working on a Sunday a sin? If not, why not? Who decides what is and isn't sin?
ReplyDeleteIs choosing not to eat apples on Wednesdays a sin? Of course working on Sunday is not a sin, but a choice this lady makes to put God first in her life.
ReplyDeleteI just turn to Jesus and ask him to let my life be right with him. What do you think Jack?
It seems to me that a favourite evangelistic tool of many of your 'primitive salvationist' friends is to use the law (primarily the ten commandments) as a way in which to show that someone is a sinner. So what do you do about the Sabbath commandment? You guys love to talk about holiness, but how can you be holy if you continually and wilfully disobey this commandment? Or is it not relevant anymore, regardless of whether we are talking about Saturday or Sunday? Who decides what is and isn't sin?
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