Redemption is an essential concept in many religions, includingJudaism,Christianity, andIslam. The term implies that something has been paid for or bought back, like a slave who has been set free through the payment of aransom.
InChristian theology, redemption (Ancient Greek:Ἀπολύτρωσις,apolutrosis) refers to the deliverance ofChristians fromsin and its consequences.[1] Christians believe that all people are born into a state of sin and separation fromGod, and that redemption is a necessary part ofsalvation in order to obtaineternal life.[2]Leon Morris says that "Paul uses the concept of redemption primarily to speak of the saving significance of thedeath ofChrist."[3]
In theNew Testament,redemption and related words are used to refer both to deliverance from sin and to freeing from captivity.[4]In Christian theology, redemption is ametaphor for what is achieved through theatonement;[5] therefore, there is a metaphorical sense in which the death of Jesus pays the price of a ransom (the Latin wordredemptio literally expresses the idea of "buying back" - compare Latinemptus - "having been bought or purchased"), releasing Christians from bondage to sin and death.[6] Mostevangelical Protestant theologians and denominations rejectOrigen's argument that God paid theransom price of redemption toSatan.[6]
Eastern Orthodoxeschatology envisages that theSecond Coming will involve universal redemption: "Heaven has become our inheritance. [...] Then we shall have the completion of all things, animate and inanimate, material and spiritual; then shall we have the completion of the work of man's redemption."[7]
The termsalvation refers to the overall process of being saved,[5] which includes redemption especially but also encompasses other aspects of the Christian faith such assanctification andglorification.[disputed –discuss]
A concept similar to redemption inIndian religions is calledprāyaścitta, which is not related to the theological sense of sin, but to expiation and personal liberation from guilt or sin. However the endgoal of a being ismoksha or liberation fromkarma, resulting in the end of thecycle of birth and death. By attainingmoksha, theAtma (self or soul) merges back intoParamatma (God), just as a wave merges back into the ocean.[8][9]
Like other Indian religions, redemption is more closely related to expiation, but also expects absolution.Pratikramana (lit. '"introspection"'), is a ritual during which Jains repent (prayaschit) for their sins and non-meritorious activities committed knowingly or inadvertently during their daily life through thought, speech or action. Rather than a Prayascitta after perpetrating sin, it is more of a regular conduct, where every possible form of misdeed is recited and repented, if might have been committed, consciously or accidentally. This is also in form of ātma-ālocana ("self-criticism") which is central to Jainism.Vratis andPratimadharis, including Munis and Aryikas performSāmāyika andPratikramana as a daily essential routine.
InIslam, redemption is achieved by being aMuslim and doing no action that wouldforfeit one's identification with Islam,[10] being of sincere faith (iman) and doing virtuous actions.[11] Muslim sinners need to turn to a merciful God inrepentance and carry out other good deeds, such as prayer (salah) andcharity, for redemption.[12][13] In certain instances, redemption is also linked to seeking forgiveness from the person that has been wronged by Muslims, and obtaining their forgiveness in addition to seeking forgiveness from God directly. As a result of this view of redemption, Muslims have criticized alternative views on redemption, especially theChristian doctrine oforiginal sin.[10]
In theTorah, redemption (Hebrewge'ulah) referred to the ransom of slaves (Exodus 21:8).[14]
The concept of redemption is a legal and transactional one inhalakha, including various sacrifices at theTemple in Jerusalem:
The concept also applies to redemption of real property such as fields[20] and houses,[21] stock animals, such asdonkeys,[22] produce,[23] and specific items such astefillin.[24] It also means the liberation of anestate inreal property from amortgage.
Redemption also applies to individuals or groups: an Israelite slave,[25] an Israelite captive,[26] and the firstborn son[27]pidyon haben, (Hebrew:פדיון הבן) or redemption of thefirst-born son,[28] is amitzvah inJudaism whereby a Jewish firstborn son is redeemed from God by use ofsilver coins to akohen.[29] It is from these three cases that the concept of exilic redemption is derived because the People Israel are considered God's 'firstborn' derived fromJacob, who are God's slaves[30] forever, but are currently held captive, even while they reside in the modern state ofIsrael.
InRabbinic Judaism, redemption refers toGod redeeming theIsraelites from their exiles, starting with that from Egypt.[31] This includes thefinal redemption from the present exile.[32]
InHasidic philosophy parallels are drawn between the redemption from exile and the personal redemption achieved when a person refines his character traits, although there is no source for this in the Talmud. Rather the Messianic redemption is linked to observingShabbat,[33]Jewish prayer,[34] and the promise of redemption for those looking towardMount Zion,.[35]
[...] Jesus' death brought about redemption (lytrosis), meaning 'deliverance' or 'release.' [...] Jesus stated that the Lord has sent him 'to proclaim freedom [aphesis] for the prisoners [...] Whereasaphesis sometimes means 'forgiveness of sins' (Matt 26:28), here in Luke it means 'release from captivity.' [...] 'In the Pauline writings it [apolytrosis] figures largely to designate the deliverance from sin and its penalty brought about by the propitiatory death of Christ.'
Salvation and redemption: Islam says our sincere faith and virtuous actions get us into heaven, not just a one-time conversion moment.
