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Soteriology is the study of salvation. The word comes from two Greek terms: soter, meaning "savior," and logos, meaning "word", "reason", or "principle". Many religions give emphasis to salvation of one form or another, and as such have their own soteriologies. Some soteriologies are primarily concerned with relationships to, or unity with, gods; others more strongly emphasize cultivation of knowledge or virtue. Soteriologies also differ in what sort of salvation they promise.

Contents 1 Christianity 2 Islam 3 Judaism 4 Hellenic philosophy 5 Hinduism 6 Buddhism 7 Jainism 8 Sikhism 9 Confucianism 10 Shintoism 11 External links

Soteriology is the branch of Christian doctrinal theology that deals with salvation through Jesus Christ. [1].

Christian soteriology traditionally focuses on how God ends the separation people have from him due to sin by reconciling them with himself. (Rom. 5:10-11). Christians receive the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38), life (Rom. 8:11), and salvation (1 Thess. 5:9) bought by Jesus Christ through his innocent suffering, death (Acts 20:28) and resurrection from death three days later (Matt. 28). This grace in Christ (1 Cor. 1:4) is received through faith (Eph. 2:8-9) in him (Gal. 3:22, Rom. 10:9), which is caused by God's Word (Rom. 10:17). Some Christians teach the reception of Christ by grace alone through faith alone. The different soteriologies found within the Christian tradition can be grouped into distinct schools: the Catholics and Orthodox on Justification, the Church, the Sacraments, and the freedom of the will; Arminianism's synergism; Calvinism's predestination; and a large range [2] of Lutheran doctrine, including conversion [3], Justification by grace alone through faith alone [4], the Means of Grace [5], and the Church [6].

Islamic soteriology focuses on how humans can repent of and atone for their sins so as not to occupy a state of loss. Salvation in the afterlife comes from God's recognition and acceptance of the individual, with regards to their virtue, obedience and/or good deeds performed in their earthly life.

In Islam Salvation occurs only due to God's mercy on the human being no matter how righteous and pure he is even if he is a Prophet whose sins have been forgiven by Him already. Yet, in the Day of Judgment all people will receive a just recompense of their deeds. Salvation can only come from God, yet He will recompense each person according to his deeds in view of His Justice.

In Islam when one becomes a Muslim all of one's sins and wrong deeds are forgiven by God, and one is free to start anew. The same when one prays as Islam directs, fasts as Islam directs, and does pilgrimage as Islam directs. Islam considers many virtuous deeds prescribed by it and recommended by it as earning of God forgiveness of one's sins, as, for instance, when a woman stops breastfeeding her child after two years, or by special supplications. The Qur'an states, and the Sunnah (the second legal source of Islam) confirms, that good deeds wipe wrong deeds out and that charity (which in Islam can be a good word, helping someone cross the street, even the minutest good deed) puts off wrong deeds just as water puts off fire.

Many practitioners of Judaism also emphasize morality in this life over concern with the afterlife. The concern is not so much for one's own benefit after this life, but so that ultimately all humanity can better its lot as everyone practises more virtuous and ethical behavior.

Epicureanism is primarily concerned with temperance and leading of a simple life as a means to avoid inflicting pain and find "freedom from anxiety" (αταραξία). Stoicism is concerned with the cultivation of virtues such as fortitude and detachment to improve spiritual well-being. In the Neoplatonism of Iamblichus, one is saved through the process of henosis.

Hinduism, which teaches that humans are caught in a cycle of death and rebirth called samsara, contains a slightly different sort of soteriology devoted to the attainment of moksha, meaning "liberation."

Buddhism focuses on attaining liberation from suffering.

Theravada Buddhism, which more prevalent in Thailand, Sri Lanka and other parts of Southeast Asia, has a soteriology more like the Hindu philosophy. A monk or practitioner of Theravada Buddhism will meditate and become more ascetic in an attempt to escape the sufferings inherent in the wheel of dharma. "Moksha" to them means "release," or in other words they remove the mental shackles of attachment, aversion and ignorance and achieve Nirvana (Nirvana in this sense is not heaven, but the cessation of suffering) and are not condemned to further rebirth in samsara. It is very different from a Christian interpretation of salvation.

Mahayana Buddhism, practiced in China, Tibet and Japan has elements of relying on a savior, looking for help or assistance from the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas to assist the meditator, who may in time ascend to the same levels as the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas and therefore attain liberation (nirvana) and enlightenment (bodhi).

Jainism emphasizes penance and asceticism, which lead to liberation and ascendance of the soul.

Sikhism advocates the pursuit of salvation through disciplined, personal meditation on the name and message of God. This meditation is meant to bring a person into union with God.

According to Confucianist teachings, people cannot save themselves. While their good deeds create good karma and merit (called boon), people cannot use it for themselves. This merit can be used to help their ancestors, though, who are waiting in the spirit world and need help from the younger generation. In this way the children assist in the salvation of the parents.

Shinto and Tenrikyo similarly emphasize working for a good life by cultivating virtue or virtuous behavior^{[citation needed]}.

• site with over 50 links to writings on soteriology