Redemption | Religion, Philosophy & Ethics for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11 PDF Download

Understanding Salvation

Salvation refers to the deliverance from sin through faith in Jesus and the grace of God. It involves restoring the broken relationship between humanity and God, which was damaged due to sin.

Redemption

• Redemption is the act of atoning for or making amends for humanity's wrongdoings. 
• Christians believe that Jesus' sacrifices compensated for human sins, thereby reconciling humanity with God.

Salvation's Purpose

• Salvation is the process of being "saved" from sin, mending the fractured relationship between God and humanity. 
• It is central to Catholic Christian beliefs, with Jesus' life, death, resurrection, and ascension playing pivotal roles in this process of salvation and grace.

Why Salvation Is Necessary

Salvation is required to repair the relationship between God and humanity, which was broken when Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden, as described in the Creation story.

The Concept of Original Sin

• All humans inherit a propensity to sin due to the free will that allows them to choose their actions. 
• This inherent tendency is known as Original Sin, which the Church teaches all humans are born with, damaging their relationship with God and necessitating forgiveness. Adam and Eve symbolize this condition.

The Process of Redemption

• Redemption is the act of restoring the relationship with God that was damaged by sin. 
• It is essential for fostering a close connection with God in this life and achieving eternal life with God in heaven after death.

Jesus' Role in Redemption

Christians believe that redemption was accomplished through Jesus, the Son of God, who came to earth in the Incarnation to save humanity. The Bible emphasizes this in Acts 4:11-12:

"The stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved."

Key Events in the Redemption Process

Jesus’ Life

Jesus lived as a human but remained free from sin, serving as a model for how to live in a way that pleases God. His life was central to redemption, demonstrating God’s love, as stated in John 3:16:

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Jesus’ Death

• Jesus’ crucifixion is considered a pivotal moment in history. His perfect obedience to God’s will, even carrying his cross to his crucifixion, and his compassion and forgiveness toward his executioners during his suffering served as redemption for humanity’s disobedience and sin.

Jesus as a Sacrifice

• Jesus’ death was a sacrificial act. Though sinless, God placed the sins of the world on Jesus during his crucifixion, and his sacrifice atoned for humanity’s sins. 
• Known as the Lamb of God, Jesus mirrors the Old Testament practice of sacrificing an innocent lamb for sin offerings, achieving redemption through his perfect, sinless life.

The Symbolism of the Torn Veil

• At the moment of Jesus’ death, the Gospels report that the veil in the Jerusalem Temple tore in two, symbolizing the removal of the barrier between God and humanity, thus opening the way to God.

Jesus’ Resurrection

• After his burial, Jesus’ divine power overcame death, and he rose to life three days after his crucifixion, appearing to his followers multiple times. 
• The Gospels emphasize that this was a physical resurrection, not merely symbolic or spiritual, proving Jesus’ victory over sin and death and affirming his identity as God incarnate.

The Ascension

• The ascension marks the final appearance of Jesus to his disciples after his resurrection, when he returned to the Father in heaven, as described in Luke 24:51:

"He left them and was taken up into heaven."

• This event signifies the completion of redemption and the full reconciliation between God and humanity. It also offers Christians hope that they, too, will one day join Jesus in heaven.

The Significance of Redemption for Salvation and Grace

Catholics view grace as the collection of blessings bestowed by God, including life itself. They believe God is merciful, forgiving sins if individuals sincerely repent and strive to improve.

Jesus as the Embodiment of Grace

The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus exemplify God’s grace, demonstrating His redeeming work.

Key Implications for Catholics

The significance of salvation and grace for Catholics includes the following:

• It reinforces their belief in an all-powerful and loving God.
• It confirms that the relationship between God and humanity has been restored.
• It provides hope for an afterlife where they can be rewarded and united with God eternally.
• As Pope Benedict XVI stated, Jesus’ humanity and ascension assure a place for all humans with God.
• It underscores the importance of reconciliation with God and others.
• It highlights the need to keep Jesus’ life events central through prayer and worship.