View source for Redemption (theology)

{{Short description|Religious concept referring to forgiveness or absolution for past sins}}
'''Redemption''' is an essential concept in many religions, including [[Judaism]], [[Christianity]], and [[Islam]]. The term implies that something has been paid for or bought back, like a slave who has been set free through the payment of a [[ransom]].

==Christianity==
{{Main|Salvation in Christianity}}
{{See also|Redeemer (Christianity)}}
In [[Christian theology]], redemption ({{langx | grc | Ἀπολύτρωσις}}, {{lang|grc-Latn|apolutrosis}}) refers to the deliverance of [[Christians]] from [[Christian views on sin|sin]] and its consequences.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Redeemer, Redemptio, 'The New Bible Dictionary' |last=Morris |first=Leon |date=1962 |publisher=[[William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company]] |location=Grand Rapids |pages=1078–1079 |author-link=Leon Morris}}</ref> Christians believe that all people are born into a state of sin and separation from [[God in Christianity|God]], and that redemption is a necessary part of [[salvation]] in order to obtain [[Eternal life (Christianity)|eternal life]].<ref>{{cite web |title =Redemption |work =Christian Classics Ethereal Library |publisher =[[Calvin College]] |date =July 2, 2009 |url =https://www.ccel.org/s/schaff/encyc/encyc09/htm/iv.vii.lxxxv.htm }}</ref> [[Leon Morris]] says that "[[Paul the Apostle|Paul]] uses the concept of redemption primarily to speak of the saving significance of the [[Crucifixion of Jesus|death]] of [[Christ]]."<ref>{{Cite book | first = Leon | last = Morris | author-link = Leon Morris | title = 'Redemption' Dictionary of Paul and his Letters | publisher = [[InterVarsity Press]] | date = 1993 | location = Downers Grove | pages = 784}}</ref>

In the [[New Testament]], ''redemption'' and related words are used to refer both to deliverance from sin and to freeing from captivity.<ref>
{{cite book
 |last1                = Demarest
 |first1               = Bruce
 |date                 = 1 August 2006
 |chapter              = 'Christ died for our sins once for all' 1 Peter 3:18: The Doctrine of Atonement
 |title                = The Cross and Salvation: The Doctrine of Salvation
 |url                  = https://books.google.com/books?id=oNN2fpbVq0oC
 |series               = Foundations of Evangelical Theology
 |edition              = reprint
 |publication-place    = Wheatton, Illinois
 |publisher            = Crossway
 |pages                = 177–178
 |isbn                 = 9781433519574
 |access-date          = 19 November 2024
 |quote                = [...] Jesus' death brought about redemption ({{lang | grc | lytrosis}}), meaning 'deliverance' or 'release.' [...] Jesus stated that the Lord has sent him 'to proclaim freedom [{{lang | grc | aphesis}}] for the prisoners [...] Whereas {{lang | grc | aphesis}} sometimes means 'forgiveness of sins' (Matt 26:28), here in Luke it means 'release from captivity.' [...] 'In the Pauline writings it [{{lang | grc | apolytrosis}}] figures largely to designate the deliverance from sin and its penalty brought about by the propitiatory death of Christ.'
}} 
</ref>
In Christian theology, redemption is a [[metaphor]] for what is achieved through the [[Atonement in Christianity|atonement]];<ref name="ReferenceA"/> therefore, there is a metaphorical sense in which the death of Jesus pays the price of a ransom (the Latin word {{lang | la | redemptio}} literally expresses the idea of "buying back" - compare Latin {{lang | la | emptus}} - "having been bought or purchased"), releasing Christians from bondage to sin and death.<ref name=wg>{{Cite book |first = Wayne |last = Grudem |author-link = Wayne Grudem |title = Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine |publisher = [[InterVarsity Press]] |date = 1994 |location = Nottingham |page = 580}}</ref> Most [[Evangelicalism|evangelical]] Protestant theologians and denominations reject [[Origen]]'s argument that God paid the [[Ransom theory of atonement|ransom price of redemption]] to [[Satan]].<ref name=wg />

[[Eastern Orthodox]] [[Christian eschatology|eschatology]] envisages that the [[Second 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."<ref>
{{cite book
 |last1                = Frangopoulos
 |first1               = Athanasios
 |date                 = 13 May 2024
 |title                = Our Orthodox Christian Faith
 |url                  = https://books.google.com/books?id=9JEHEQAAQBAJ
 |edition              = revised
 |publication-place    = Athens
 |publisher            = Brotherhood of Theologians "The Savior"
 |isbn                 = 9786182120064
 |access-date          = 19 November 2024
}} 
</ref>

The term ''salvation'' refers to the overall process of being saved,<ref name="ReferenceA">Demarest, ''The Cross and Salvation'', 177.</ref> which includes redemption especially but also encompasses other aspects of the Christian faith such as [[sanctification]] and [[glorification]].{{disputed inline|date=October 2024}}

==Hinduism==
A concept similar to redemption in [[Indian religions]] is called ''[[prāyaścitta]]'', which is not related to the theological sense of sin, but to expiation and personal liberation from guilt or sin. However the end [[goal]] of a being is ''[[moksha]]'' or liberation from [[karma]], resulting in the end of the [[Saṃsāra|cycle of birth and death]]. By attaining ''moksha'', the ''[[Ātman (Hinduism)|Atma]]'' (self or soul) merges back into ''[[Paramatman|Paramatma]]'' (God), just as a wave merges back into the ocean.<ref>{{cite book|author=Robert Lingat |title=The Classical Law of India |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Sauo8iSIj7YC |year=1973 |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=978-0-520-01898-3|pages=98–99 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Bhikkhu Nyanatusita|title=Analysis of the Bhikkhu Patimokkha|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6s3iBQAAQBAJ |year=2014|publisher=Buddhist Publication Society|isbn=978-955-24-0405-4 |page=86}}</ref>

==Jainism==
{{Main|Pratikramana}}
Like other Indian religions, redemption is more closely related to expiation, but also expects absolution. ''Pratikramana'' ({{literally|"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.  [[Ethics of Jainism|Vratis]] and [[Pratima (Jainism)|Pratimadharis]], including Munis and Aryikas perform [[Sāmāyika]] and [[Pratikramana]] as a daily essential routine.

==Islam==
In [[Islam]], redemption is achieved by being a [[Muslim]] and doing no action that would [[Kafir|forfeit]] one's identification with Islam,<ref name="Brill Archive">{{cite book|author1=[[Hava Lazarus-Yafeh]]|title=Some Religious Aspects of Islam: A Collection of Articles|date=1981|publisher=Brill Archive|isbn=9789004063297|page=48}}</ref> being of sincere faith (''[[Iman (concept)|iman]]'') and doing virtuous actions.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Yahiya Emerick|title=The Complete Idiot's Guide to Islam, 3rd Edition|date=1 Nov 2011|publisher=Penguin|isbn=9781101558812|quote=Salvation and redemption: Islam says our sincere faith and virtuous actions get us into heaven, not just a one-time conversion moment.}}</ref> Muslim sinners need to turn to a merciful God in [[Repentance in Islam|repentance]] and carry out other good deeds, such as prayer (''[[salah]]'') and [[Charity (practice)|charity]], for redemption.<ref>{{cite web|author1=Mahmoud Mustafa Ayoub| author-link=Mahmoud M. Ayoub |title=The Idea of Redemption in Christianity and Islam|url=http://rsc.byu.edu/archived/selected-articles/idea-redemption-christianity-and-islam|website=BYU|access-date=18 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author1=Chawkat Georges Moucarry|title=Faith to Faith: Christianity & Islam in Dialogue|date=2001|publisher=Inter-Varsity Press|isbn=9780851118994|page=110}}</ref> 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 the [[Christian theology|Christian doctrine]] of [[original sin]].<ref name="Brill Archive"/>

==Judaism==
{{Main|Jewish eschatology}}
In the [[Torah]], redemption ([[Hebrew language|Hebrew]] ''ge'ulah'') referred to the ransom of slaves ([[Book of Exodus|Exodus]] 21:8).<ref>{{Cite book |first = Bruce |last = Demarest |author-link = Bruce Demarest |title = The Cross and Salvation: The Doctrine of Salvation |publisher = [[Crossway Books]] |date = 1997 |location = Wheaton |pages = 176}}</ref>

The concept of redemption is a legal and transactional one in [[halakha]], including various sacrifices at the [[Temple in Jerusalem]]:
* Blood<ref>Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Chullin, 35b</ref>
* Mating<ref>Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Moed Katan, 12a</ref>
* Sales<ref>for example Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Temurah, 31a</ref> and borrowing<ref>Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Arachin, 30b</ref>
* Some specific items like the [[Red Heifer]]<ref>Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Shevuot, 11b</ref>

The concept also applies to redemption of real property such as fields<ref>Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Arachin, 14b</ref> and houses,<ref>Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Arachin, 33a</ref> stock animals, such as [[donkeys]],<ref>Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Bechorot, 5b</ref> produce,<ref>Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Succah, 40b</ref> and specific items such as [[tefillin]].<ref>Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Gittin, 45b</ref> It also means the liberation of an [[estate (law)|estate]] in [[real property]] from a [[mortgage]].

Redemption also applies to individuals or groups: an Israelite slave,<ref>, for example, Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Kiddushin, 18a</ref> an Israelite captive,<ref>Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Bava Batra, 8a</ref> and the firstborn son<ref>Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Bechorot, 31b</ref> ''[[pidyon haben]]'', ({{langx|he|פדיון הבן}}) or redemption of the [[Primogeniture|first-born son]],<ref>Eugene Joseph Cohen ''Guide to ritual circumcision and redemption of the first-born son'' Volume 1 - 1984 "The Redemption of the First-Born - A mother's first-born is to be dedicated to the service of God, in accordance with the verse, "Sanctify the first-born who opens the womb."1 This sanctification was the result of a historical event."; Michele Klein ''A Time to Be Born: Customs and Folklore of Jewish Birth'' 2000 Page 224 "They have attributed healing properties to the stick.54 REDEMPTION OF THE FIRST-BORN SON A first child has special significance for both parents, and this was as true in biblical times as today, but then only when the child was male"; Mark Washofsky ''Jewish living: a guide to contemporary reform practice'' 2001 Page 148 "Redemption of the First-born Son (Pidyon Haben)- In Jewish tradition, the first-born son is to be "redeemed" from God. This originates in the belief that God "acquired" the Israelite first-born by sparing them from makkat bekhorot"; Ruth Langer ''To Worship To Worship God Properly: Tensions Between Liturgical Custom and Halakhah in Judaism (Monographs of the Hebrew Union College Series) 2005 Page 73 "Redemption of the First Born."</ref> is a [[mitzvah]] in [[Judaism]] whereby a Jewish firstborn son is redeemed from God by use of [[silver coin]]s to a [[kohen]].<ref>Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Bechorot, 51b</ref> It is from these three cases that the concept of exilic redemption is derived because the People Israel are considered God's 'firstborn' derived from [[Jacob]], who are God's slaves<ref>Vayikra 25:55</ref> forever, but are currently held captive, even while they reside in the modern state of [[Israel]].

In [[Rabbinic Judaism]], redemption refers to [[God in Judaism|God]] redeeming the [[Israelites]] from their exiles, starting with that from Egypt.<ref>Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Rosh HaShanah, 11b</ref> This includes the [[Jewish eschatology|final redemption]] from the present exile.<ref>for example Talmud Yerushalmi, Tractate Berachot, 2c "(mid.)</ref>

In [[Hasidic 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 observing [[Shabbat]],<ref>Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Shabbat, 118b</ref> [[Jewish prayer]],<ref>Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Berachot, 4b</ref> and the promise of redemption for those looking toward [[Mount Zion]],.<ref name="ReferenceB">Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Ketubot, 75a</ref>

==See also==
{{Wikiquote}}
* [[Baptism]]
* [[Easter]]
* [[Good Friday]]
* [[Penitence]]
* [[Salvation]]
* [[Redemptive suffering]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00548vp Redemption], BBC Radio 4 discussion with Richard Harries, Janet Soskice and Stephen Mulhall (''In Our Time'', Mar. 13, 2003)

{{Christian Soteriology}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Redemption (Theology)}}
[[Category:Salvation]]
[[Category:Religious terminology]]