Är Jesus frälsare? Skiftande frälsningsuppfattningar och Jesus som konstant i teologin

Abstract

In the context of the Theology of Religions the fundamental questions of soteriology are raised anew. Soteria is a metaphor, used in the New Testament alongside with many others. Christian tradition contains no dogma of atonement, and soteriology remains narrative to a great extent. Yet the relation of narration/metaphors to reality should be taken into account here. The function of the trinitarian dogma remains fundamental as pointing to the goal of salvation, God, and the Kingdom of God. Within an overall concept of salvation as a restored and renewed relation to the Triune God the concentration on sin and guilt within western theology should be overcome. Anselm’s Cur deus homo does not understand sin as a personal offence to God. God in himself cannot be offended at all. The sin of man offends the cosmological order, and hence hinders the fulfilment of God’s plan. The doctrine of satisfaction, as well as biblical metaphors on atonement, expiation, etc. should be interpreted within the wither horizon of God’s plan and the goal of human kind. The Eastern doctrine of Theosis points out the direction for soteriological reflection: What is a human being, what is the goal of mankind? Christology occupies an important place here: The revelation of God in Christ reveals the true concept and goal of human beings. Salvation means overcoming sin and death, in order to open up the way to God. The narrative structure of soteriology should be seen against the background of the questions: Who is God, what is a human being, questions also to be handled in the dialogue between the religions.