Patheos

BuddhistCatholicContemplativeEvangelicalGeneral ChristianHinduJewishLatter-day SaintMuslimNew VisionsProgressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Patheos

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos Patheos on Facebook Patheos on YouTube

PATHEOS LIBRARY OF

World Faiths & Religions

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to be "saved"?

"Salvation" comes from the Greek word "sorteria."  In the Hebrew Scripture (HS), the exodus story and God's deliverance of people from difficulties is usually called a "saving" act. God is repeatedly remembered and praised as the Savior of Israel. In the Greek Scripture (GS), "salvation" can mean healing or deliverance. Saving is always from something In the HS, God saves from slavery, natural events like the flood, and from terrible situations (as in the case of Job or Ruth). God also sends prophets to "save" God's people from straying from their faith. In the GS, the dangers are sin, broken relationships among people, and our separation from God. While salvation has sometimes referred to life after death or escape from a material world, Christian salvation involves a fuller notion of both eternal presence with God, freedom from oppression and injustice, and restoration of relationships between God and God's creation and among God's creatures.

Back to Frequently Asked Questions

Editor's picks See all columnists

Evangelical

Before You Unplug or Sign Out for Good

Guest Contributor

Evangelical

What Is the Purpose of Spiritual Gifts, and How Do You Discover Yours?

Randy Alcorn

New Visions

5 Ways to Hear What God is Telling You

Tom Rapsas

Muslim

How Awake Are We? When Waking Up is Falling Asleep

Daniel Thomas Dyer

Latter-day Saint

"The Church supports the use of vaccinations"

Dan Peterson

Evangelical

Luther and the Beauty of Christ

Guest Contributor

Patheos

The Soul of Gospel Music Explored in New Netflix Series "Voices of Fire"

DeWayne Hamby

Patheos

Seven Ways to Think About Christian Mysticism

Carl McColman

Evangelical

Cancelling Alice Walker?

Philip Jenkins

Evangelical

Does God Have His Own Logic?

Roger E. Olson

Muslim

Imam Ali’s letter to the Governor- Everlasting Example of Good...

Ejaz Naqvi MD

Progressive Christian

Why Did Jesus Have To Die?

Keith Giles

Patheos Logo Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Patheos on Facebook Patheos on YouTube

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Copyright 2008-2026, Patheos. All rights reserved.

Subscription Support Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In

Follow Patheos Patheos on Facebook Patheos on YouTube