Metaphors of Salvation

There are numerous metaphors for salvation in the bible. Given how sin is experienced in a particular context, so a particular metaphor is chosen to explain how Jesus life, death and resurrection offer salvation.

Popular theories or metaphors of Salvation

Theory 1: Jesus died in our place.

The Substitutionary theory is the most familiar to Evangelicals and runs as follows: * Christ died for our sins. * The innocent one bore our condemnation on the cross. * He suffered and was put to death for the sin of the world. (Living Faith 3.4.2) Notice that this theory embraces a range of images: * We are indebted to God, and Jesus pays the price (financial). * We are guilty of a crime, and Jesus bears the punishment (legal). * God is angry with us, and Jesus appeases divine wrath (ritual). The basic idea seems straightforward: What does Jesus save us from? From God's punishment for sin, i.e. death. How does he do it? By dying in our place, on our behalf.

For support, its proponents point to Bible passages such as 2 Corinthians 5:21 (Jesus became sin for us) and John 1:29 (Jesus is the lamb of God). There are, of course, questions. What kind of God demands the sacrifice of His son? Is this, as some have suggested, a case of "divine child abuse?" And what about the use of violence and suffering to achieve salvation? Doesn't it justify the suffering of all victims? In short, the Substitutionary theory has led some to say: "I love Jesus. But I hate God."

Theory 2:

Jesus defeated the Evil One.

The Christ is Victor theory dominated the church for the first 1,000 years. It depicts Jesus as the winner in a great cosmic battle between the reign of God and the reign of Satan. By sinning, human beings fell under the control of the devil. But Christ frees us by defeating Satan. Again, there is strong biblical support for this theory. On the cross, God in Christ "disarmed the rulers and authorities and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in it" (Colossians 2:15). The Book of Revelation tells this story graphically. 1

But again, there are problems. For one thing, the military imagery puts some people off. Furthermore, this theory assumes a kind of dualism in which the world is divided between a good god and a bad god. In some versions, Christ wins by tricking Satan, which raises ethical questions. Even its defenders worry that this theory seems naive, simplistic, and morally questionable.

Theory 3:

Jesus set an example to follow.

The Moral Influence theory proposes that Jesus lived a good life and died a good death. His example should inspire us to do the same--to love God and others. The faith and obedience of Jesus should influence us to confess our sins and commit ourselves to moral living. This is the WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?) theory of the atonement. 1 Peter 2:21 seems to support it: "For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps." Among the problems here, the most pressing is that we are thrown back on ourselves. Think what you like about the first two theories, but they offer explanations of salvation in which Christ does for us what we cannot do for ourselves. Not so here--it's really up to us to save ourselves, with a little help from Jesus' example.

Theory 4: Jesus lived the life we were originally intended to live. The Recapitulation theory emphasizes salvation as the restoration of human existence to its original condition. Jesus re-lives life for us, in full obedience, undoing our failure and re-connecting us to God. Christ becomes what we are so that we might become what he is. It's not just about the cross, but about the whole course of Jesus' life--the incarnation. Jesus is the image of God who sums up human life in order to restore the image of God in us. Its advocates pick up Paul's theme of Christ as "last" or "second" Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45) and Peter's idea of participating in the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). Its critics point out that it ignores a good deal of what the Bible says about the significance of the cross.

Further investigation
Those four theories represent the major explanations of how Jesus saves. However there are others which seem more understandable to the modern Christian. In his essay on Faith in search of Understanding, Anthony Freeman writes: We are bound to conclude that for the New Testament in general and the gospels in particular, the model of Jesus as saviour was much less important than it was to become in later theology. In fact Jesus only uses the term salvation once, in relation to his meeting Zacchaeus. (Lk19.9).

One reason for this is that "sin" and "saviour" are very general words. The Bible has a whole galaxy of more specific and vivid images to illustrate the human predicament. Each picture or model of sin has its own appropriate description of Jesus as the remedy. We tend to think of the "sinfulness of sin" in terms of personal wickedness and the wilful breaking of Gods commandments. But in a list of sixteen biblical metaphors there are only two where the sinners deliberately bring about their own condition, and at least six that are definitely "no fault" situations. The following chart illustrates: Biblical Metaphors for Sin and its Cure Category No fault No fault No fault No fault No fault No fault Culpable Culpable Questionable Questionable Questionable Questionable Questionable Questionable Questionable Questionable Metaphor for Sin Sickness Weakness Stain Under attack Slavery Imprisonment Law breaking Unrighteousness Character of Jesus Reference Physician Strengthener Cleanser Defender Redeemer Liberator Advocate Justifier Matthew 9.11 ff Hebrews 4.15 ff Ps 51; Ezekiel 26 1 Peter 5.8 ff Romans 6.18; Luke 4.18 Luke 4.18 1 John 2.1; 3.4 Romans 5.1 Luke 15.4; John 10.11 John 9.5; Matthew 4.16 Ephesians 4.17-21 1 Corinthians 1.20 Matthew 18.27 Ezekiel 36.26 2 Corinthians 5.19; Romans 5.10 ff Hebrews 10.10

Straying, getting lost Guide / Shepherd Blindness Ignorance Foolishness Debt Hardness Separation Unholiness Light Truth / Teacher Wisdom Canceller Softener Reconciler Sanctifier

Helplessness rather than guilt is the human plight that comes over most strongly in these metaphors. Post-biblical theologys emphasis on just one model for sin - disobedience or law-breaking, as exemplified by the substitution theory, has distorted the picture of Gods relationship with humans, and has thus also distorted the role of Jesus in relation both to God the Father and to ourselves. Marcus Borg offers his own biblical alternatives, which he believes, make the idea of salvation more meaningful to a modern mind. They are shown below in terms of the pre-salvation condition and after the intervention of God.

Bondage
Paul and NT: bondage to the Powers Cultural Spiritual Psychological

Domination system. Spirit of the Age. Cultural messages Belief systems Economic & political systems Wounds from childhood Addictions to self / own well-being

Sense of powerlessness.

Liberation

The story of exodus The central theme of Jesus To proclaim release to the captives and to let the oppressed go free

Lk 4.19.

Gal 5.1.

Eph 6.10-12.

Notes

Estrangement

In exile / Babylon Expelled from Garden of Eden

Living in an alien land under an alien lord. Away from home. Life in exile Oppression Powerlessness Alienation Stranger to oneself Grief / sadness / anger / hostility

Reconciliation

Reconnected with God Return to Eden Homecoming Paradise restored. Reconciliation with one another.

(Repentance means return from exile God invites / encourages / empowers)

Isa 40. 1-11, 26-31, 43. 1-21, 44. 1-8, 49. 8-23, 52. 1-10. Ps 130.5 2 Cor 5.19. Notes Eph 13.5

Blindness

Blind to God around us. Do not see ourselves as God sees us. Do not see others as God sees them. Fear Loneliness

Living in the dark Yearning for light / safety / home.

Enlightenment

Jesus source of light and sight. -- the true light that enlightens everyone -- opening our eyes to Gods glory in the world, each other and ourselves. Isa 60. 1-2 Isa 9. 2 Ps 119. 105 Lk 1. 78-79 Jn 8.12, 9.25 Mark 10.51 Notes Jn 8. 12, 1.5, 1. 5+9 Job 42.5 Rev 21.23, 22.5

Sin and Guilt

NB. Over-emphasis in evangelical Christianity. (see above)

NOT the internal condemnation from the internal superego which constantly criticises us for not being good enough.

Authentic / real sin is wounding our selves and each other.

Forgiveness

You are accepted! No ifs or buts!!

One is forgiven and accepted, and so enabled by God to have a deeper relationship with him.

Read the hymn Amazing Grace: Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found, Was blind, but now I see. T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear. And Grace, my fears relieved. How precious did that Grace appear The hour I first believed. Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come; 'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far and Grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me. His word my hope secures. He will my shield and portion be, As long as life endures. Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, And mortal life shall cease, I shall possess within the veil, A life of joy and peace.

John Newton (1725-1807)

This hymn encompasses many metaphors for salvation.

Notes

Condemned / Rejected /Unworthy

Unlovely Loveless Unworthy Worthless Of little account A nobody

Experiencing the love of God

God is besotted with us. We are precious and loved.

Isa 43.4

Notes

Death
Feeling dead in the midst of life.

Eph 2.1.5 Col 2.13

Resurrection
New birth / Born again into a new life. Death to the old life resurrection to the new. A new way of being in the here and now.

Gal 2. 20 Jn 11. 25-26, 12. 24, 14.6

Notes

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Hunger and Thirst

Exodus needed manna and water We hunger even when we are full We feel empty We long for something more

Sustenance / Food & Drink

Jesus as the Bread of Life. Jesus as the water that permanently quenches the thirst. Isa 55. 1 Prov 9. 1-6

Notes

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Knowing about God

Lost In the dark Floundering Only theoretical understanding of God

Knowing God

Knowing God in a relationship Me-You. (Buber uses I-Thou to express the relationship) This is eternal life: to know God

Jer 31.34 Hos 2.20 John 17.3 Notes

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Kingdoms of This World

Social / economic / political exploitation Fear / anxiety Ego centric / me first

Kingdom of God

A way of living together Living under the care of God Applying the Golden Rule Sermon on the Mount

Notes

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The Parable of the Lost Son as a Summation of Salvation

Jesus continued: There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, Father, give me my share of the estate. So he divided his property between them. Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. When he came to his senses, he said, How many of my fathers hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants. 20 So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. The son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. But the father said to his servants, Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Lets have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found. So they began to celebrate. Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 Your brother has come, he replied, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound. The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, Look! All these years Ive been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him! My son, the father said, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.
31 28 25 22 21 17 13 11

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Bondage:
V12. Father, give me my share of the estate. V13. and there he squandered his wealth in wild living. Son went off obsessed by cultural messages: Enjoy yourself Buy happiness Spend it while youve got it

Estrangement:
V13. ..he set off for a distant country. A stranger in a strange land: Different customs, laws, culture, beliefs. He was powerless. outcast

Blindness:
V17. When he came to his senses. He couldnt see the consequences of his actions. Could not see God in the world. He was blind to what was happening to him.

Sin and Guilt

V21. Father I have sinned against Heaven and against you. His life ended up in despair He was emotionally and physically wounded He had wounded his family

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Worthlessness:
V19. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants. Felt degraded Equated himself to a servant Could not expect a warm reception

Death:
V17. And here I am starving to death. Was not able to eat even the pigs slops

Hunger and Thirst:

V16. He longed to fill his stomach V17. And here I am starving to death Physically hungry Emotional and spiritually hungry?

Knowing about God:

V17. How many of my fathers servants have food to spare V21. I am no longer worthy to be called your son He couldnt appreciate his fathers concern before he left home, nor could he imagine how his father would respond when he returned.

Kingdoms of the World:

V13. There he squandered his wealth in wild living. V16. but no one gave him anything. V19. Make me like one of your hired servants. He had experienced worldly life. 16

Me first motivation Social and economic exploitation A lack of care and concern from others

Concluding Summary
We are saved by Gods grace. Not by anything we are Not by anything we do Not by anything we could become Not by anything we could do

Faith is the human response to divine grace

Faith as faithfulness
Loving God with heart, soul, mind and strength (opposite is adultery and idolatry)

Faith as Trust
Trusting God with every aspect of our lives (opposite is anxiety)

Faith as Belief
Even though we have doubts, we believe enough to respond. (Not belief as a set of doctrines / intellectual beliefs)

Perhaps at its simplest it is the call of Jesus who says, Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matt 11:28. Much as the father, in the parable, welcomed his lost son with an outpouring of love.

Father ran to him (considered undignified) 17

Threw his arms around him Kissed him (expressing deep love) Wouldnt listen to a long confession Had robes, a ring and sandals brought for him (showing he was reinstated as a son) Had the fattened calf killed (reserved for special occasions) Ordered a celebration Said, you were dead and now youre alive; you were lost but now youre found

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