The Salvation Issue Part-I

                                                                          > fr. Conrad Saldanha

The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; he is their refuge in the time of trouble. The Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked, and saves them, because they take refuge in him. Ps 37:39-40

The issue of Salvation has often bothered humanity, especially people of various religious orientation and background.  It’s not just the theologians who are concerned, but even the laity may some time or the other reflect on it.  But the difference is that the theologians are the ones they look up to and may put their faith more in them, than in the living God who still reveals his salvific plan to all who seek him with a sincere heart. “You will seek me and find me; when you seek me with all your heart.” Jer. 29:13

The stand of the Church: In contrast to the previous article in my blog site, Inspirations, (of 30^th July, 2011) which explained that Jesus did not shed his blood for all, here in this article on God’s Salvation (God’s saving grace),  the offer of God’s salvation is for all irrespective of caste, creed or colour. Though this salvation is for all, yet, it is an offer that has to be first received by an individual through faith. It is an offer of God made through the death of Jesus on the Cross. Thus Salvation is a free gift to all.  But just like a gift which does not become your own unless you receive it with gratitude and faith, so also the Salvation offered by God, cannot be yours unless you accept it.  Once received, this salvation has to be lived. Next follows the works, the works of faith, from faith and not just any work. 

With regards to the Catholic Church being an instrument of salvation, the Catechism of the Catholic Church quoting from St. Augustine is emphatic that Jesus is the only way. “In the later usage, the term sacramentum emphasizes the visible sign of the hidden reality of salvation which was indicated by the term mysterium. In this sense, Christ himself is the mystery of salvation: For there is no other mystery of God, except Christ."  (CCC)

The aim of this article is not to elaborate on the meaning of the universal salvation offered to us freely by God in his Son Jesus but to nullify the various fears and arguments that hinder one to believe in such an exclusive viewpoint.  The Church in the Vatican II Document makes a presentation of this subject with elements of confusion but latter cleared in Dominus Iesus (SCDF) and other such documents. But sometimes confusion arises, because one fails to read it in the light of the Scriptures and give much credence to emotional arguments which passes on as rational.

I personally believe that many a time our logic is guided by a deep latent fear and anxiety of the various consequences and implications of such a belief, the offense it may give the other irrespective whether we speak the truth or not. Then we present what we things are facts to validate our arguments.  The human insecurities, fears and anxieties work in various ways and what appears to be conviction are normally a sublimation of an underlying current.

One of the points of argument is the issue of exclusivity which Christians claim like most Semitic religions.  The issue, at stake is the consequence of such a belief. i.e. the fear, that it may lead to broken relationships and communal disharmony.  Such absolutism and exclusivism is interpreted as fundamentalism and if this is their conclusion after analyzing the issue then their conclusion is also according; intolerance of the other and if need be a civilized form of violence.

Is this a fact of Christianity and if so what could be the possible problem and solution to such a situation?

For this, we need to analyze the contribution of Christianity, made towards the development of Society and people. It is natural for humans to make a scapegoat of someone when evil befalls.  Many a time society in their desperation adopts wrong measures for a right cause.  For example a terrorist attack may prompt the government to adopt a strong repressive law rather than improving upon their preventive measures. The government may adopt repressive checks which impinge on the privacy of the person rather than seeking newer technical and innovative methods which respects human dignity.  For an individual too, a condom or an abortion may be considered as a better solution to solve problems of AIDs and population growth or unwanted pregnancy, rather than abstinence and responsible precaution.  Thus, in the worldwide scenario because of a few rare cases of extreme religious fanaticism, the larger community gets affected. It is not just the government; worse still are the so called progressive communities, within the Christian community who begin to tear and pull from within. Education and pseudo-rationality aids our many fears and insecurities and we are not able to handle them.

The question to always ask ourselves is this: What if there was no Christianity and no Christian contribution to the development of Individuals?

We have forgotten the good and the great Christian contribution to society, in spite of its belief in exclusivity; a contribution which the secularized world has failed to recognize. The contribution to culture, ethics and morality are great Christian contributions to the world. Europe may have been at war over religion in the 16^th and 17^th century.  Peace may have been brought about by keeping religious fervor aside, but the west has never kept religion out of bounds, because without religion it would be like choking oneself of life.  The morals and ethics of religion act as a life line to sustain life and improve the quality of life.

The Christian faith in keeping with the words of Jesus has had a great leavening effect on the various religions of the world. It has been a catalyst for change and morality which is so very strong in the Christian milieu that we have taken for granted this reality. This is so because we have time and again looked at only the flaws of individuals in the church and waited to see when they would fall rather than look at the good it has contributed to the society and the world as a whole.

How good is a society without the contribution of religion? We don’t have to go far in our search. The Communist nation reveal in their dark history what repression and absence of religion brings; that too by progressive men of revolution who sought to change the social fabric into a more just society: where justice, peace and brotherhood are the corner stone of their proclaimed agenda. But ultimately, repressive structures in the name of progress and which does not respect human life nor dignity had been the order of the day; a great moral decadence which does not respect life, beginning with life in the womb.

The church because of the confidence it has through divine revelation has been a moral voice through the Popes in voicing its concern about certain repressive laws and regimes which have been anti-life and humanity.  In spite of the conflicting voices from within and the negative pressure, it has still managed to voice its self against the atrocities against human life, dignity and many other moral issues.  The media glare ever willing to expose and blow out of proportion its selective faults has dwarfed the greater contribution it has made.     (to be continued……………)

Prayer: Lord we thank you for the gift of the Church and your special presence in it. May we through faithful adherence to you and its teaching come to the eternal life and joy you have prepared for all who accept your offer of salvation. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.