Christ the Redeemer statue inRio de Janeiro, Brazil. The statue is an iconic image of Jesus Christ with his arms outstretched, representing his message oflove and redemption for all people.
Christian theology sometimes refers toJesus using the titleRedeemer orSaviour (alternatively,Savior). This references thesalvation he accomplished, and is based on the metaphor ofredemption, or "buying back". In theNew Testament,redemption can refer both to deliverance from sin and to freedom from captivity.[1]
Although thegospels do not use the title "Redeemer", the idea of redemption occurs in several ofPaul's epistles.Leon Morris says that "Paul uses the concept of redemption primarily to speak of the saving significance of the death of Christ."[2]
TheNew Testament speaks of Christ as the one saviour for all people.[3] TheFirst Epistle of John says that Jesus is "thepropitiation for our sins and not for ours only but also for the sins of the world" (1 John 2:2). Adherents ofunlimited atonement interpret this to mean that Jesus' redemptive role is for all people without exception, while adherents oflimited atonement interpret it as being available to all yet would work itself out inonly the elect.[4]
Early Christian communities also came to recognize Jesus' redemptive role to be unique (without parallel), complete (as one who conveys the fullness of salvation), and definitive (beyond any possibility of being equaled, let alone surpassed, in his salvific function). Central to this belief was the idea that through Jesus, the powers of evil were overcome, sin was forgiven, spiritual and moral corruption was cleansed, and a new way of life became possible. This new life was described as arestored relationship with God, often understood as being adopted as God's children.[5] This understanding is reflected in early Christian texts. In the Old Testament, the title "saviour" is sometimes applied to human figures such as military leaders (e.g.,Judges 3: 9,15, and31). In contrast, the New Testament applies the title only to God, eight times, and to Christ, sixteen times.[5]
^Leon Morris, 'Redemption'Dictionary of Oxford and his Letters (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1993): 784.
^On Christ's role as universal Saviour, cf.Gerald O'Collins,Salvation for All: God's Other Peoples, OUP (2008).
^Zemek, George J. (19 September 2005).A Biblical Theology of the Doctrines of Sovereign Grace: Exegetical Considerations of Key Anthropological, Hamartiological, and Soteriological Terms and Motifs. Wipf and Stock Publishers. pp. 138–141.ISBN978-1-59752-379-0.
^abFor this section, and its respective themes and positions, compareGerald O'Collins,Christology: A Biblical, Historical, and Systematic Study of Jesus,OUP (2009), pp. 297–333. Cf. also O'Collins,Salvation for All: God's Other Peoples, cit.;id.,Jesus: A Portrait, Darton, Longman & Todd (2008), Chs 11–12;id.,Incarnation, Continuum (2002), pp. 36–42; J.A. Fitzmyer,The Gospel According to Luke I–IX, Doubleday (1981), pp. 79–82;Karl Rahner,Foundations of Christian Faith, trans. W.V. Dych, Darton, Longman & Todd (1978), pp. 193–195, 204–206, 279–280, 316–321.
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