Finding a place to start for an ordo salutis is not easy.
Generally, the place where one starts with an order of salvation is very telling as to the direction of the order.
My order of salvation is actually a two-fold salvation.
It takes into account the two different kinds of 'eternal life' Jesus mentioned.
The beginning of my ordo salutis is the salvation from how the world works now.
This salvation comes first, because it comes first in the Bible narrative.
The first interpretation of eternal life is to be literally translated 'life of the ages', or 'life of a different age'.
This is not life lived in a different age, but life characterized by a different age.
This life is lived on earth, and is characterized by humanity living in a way that shows what God intended for His creation.
This salvation is given in response to sin, but this is sin done by humanity towards humanity.
I believe that salvation history with humanity started with Israel in Egypt.
The need was not for a spiritual type of salvation.
The Israelites needed someone to save them from real physical oppression.
God set himself up against the empire, and sided with oppressed.
This is the basis for the prophetic message found throughout the Old Testament: turn from Egypt, and live in a new way.
My interpretation of the law shows God's intended way for the Israelites to live in the world, and God's work of salvation comes in response to humanity taking up Egypt's cause over God's.
They became more receptive to the voice of the empire over the voice of the almighty.
Jesus came and continued the prophetic voice of the Old Testament.
He urged the crowds to turn from their sins (as following the values of Egypt here), and live in a way that characterized God's kingdom rather than Egypt's.
When Jesus was asked by the teacher of religious law what he must do to inherit eternal life he tells him a story of a Samaritan saving the life of a man.
The teacher of religious law was probably deeply offended, because it would be hard for an Israelite to imagine a 'good Samaritan'.
In essence Jesus was telling the teacher that his hate of Samaritans was keeping him from eternal life.
This new way to live is characterized by love and brotherhood, not hate and exclusivity.
The second interpretation of eternal life is to be translated in a more spiritual manner.
This is salvation in response to sin once again, but this salvation is done in relation to humanity's sin towards God.
Jesus came to be a sacrifice according to the temple tradition in regards to the day of atonement.
Where the day of atonement dealt with the sins of the Israelites, this sacrifice by Jesus deals with the sin of the whole world.
In response to Luther, this is not quite justification by faith, but just justification through Jesus.
Faith is needed to enter into the work of the first salvation mentioned in this ordo salutis.
As counter to Calvin, the elect are those chosen to do the work of God in the world now, and not as the only people receiving the full benefits of eschatological salvation.
Salvation from sin in relation to God came two thousand years ago where all of humanity was reconciled to God.
Since the effects of this reconciliation are not immediate, humanity is to be working towards this salvific life aiding the work of Jesus both on the cross and in respect to his work in the world.
Both require obedience and perseverance to the law, prophetic word, and ministry of Jesus.
My confession: my theology and its implications in regards to salvation are still being worked out.
I do believe in both senses of salvation, but I am still trying to grasp how the salvation brought by Jesus on the cross relates to those from other religions around the world.
My best attempt would place me near the fulfillment model, shown by Knitter, with definite tendencies towards the graciousness of God seen in Pinnock.
Any critique or ideas would be appreciated.
Generally, the place where one starts with an order of salvation is very telling as to the direction of the order.
My order of salvation is actually a two-fold salvation.
It takes into account the two different kinds of 'eternal life' Jesus mentioned.
The beginning of my ordo salutis is the salvation from how the world works now.
This salvation comes first, because it comes first in the Bible narrative.
The first interpretation of eternal life is to be literally translated 'life of the ages', or 'life of a different age'.
This is not life lived in a different age, but life characterized by a different age.
This life is lived on earth, and is characterized by humanity living in a way that shows what God intended for His creation.
This salvation is given in response to sin, but this is sin done by humanity towards humanity.
I believe that salvation history with humanity started with Israel in Egypt.
The need was not for a spiritual type of salvation.
The Israelites needed someone to save them from real physical oppression.
God set himself up against the empire, and sided with oppressed.
This is the basis for the prophetic message found throughout the Old Testament: turn from Egypt, and live in a new way.
My interpretation of the law shows God's intended way for the Israelites to live in the world, and God's work of salvation comes in response to humanity taking up Egypt's cause over God's.
They became more receptive to the voice of the empire over the voice of the almighty.
Jesus came and continued the prophetic voice of the Old Testament.
He urged the crowds to turn from their sins (as following the values of Egypt here), and live in a way that characterized God's kingdom rather than Egypt's.
When Jesus was asked by the teacher of religious law what he must do to inherit eternal life he tells him a story of a Samaritan saving the life of a man.
The teacher of religious law was probably deeply offended, because it would be hard for an Israelite to imagine a 'good Samaritan'.
In essence Jesus was telling the teacher that his hate of Samaritans was keeping him from eternal life.
This new way to live is characterized by love and brotherhood, not hate and exclusivity.
The second interpretation of eternal life is to be translated in a more spiritual manner.
This is salvation in response to sin once again, but this salvation is done in relation to humanity's sin towards God.
Jesus came to be a sacrifice according to the temple tradition in regards to the day of atonement.
Where the day of atonement dealt with the sins of the Israelites, this sacrifice by Jesus deals with the sin of the whole world.
In response to Luther, this is not quite justification by faith, but just justification through Jesus.
Faith is needed to enter into the work of the first salvation mentioned in this ordo salutis.
As counter to Calvin, the elect are those chosen to do the work of God in the world now, and not as the only people receiving the full benefits of eschatological salvation.
Salvation from sin in relation to God came two thousand years ago where all of humanity was reconciled to God.
Since the effects of this reconciliation are not immediate, humanity is to be working towards this salvific life aiding the work of Jesus both on the cross and in respect to his work in the world.
Both require obedience and perseverance to the law, prophetic word, and ministry of Jesus.
My confession: my theology and its implications in regards to salvation are still being worked out.
I do believe in both senses of salvation, but I am still trying to grasp how the salvation brought by Jesus on the cross relates to those from other religions around the world.
My best attempt would place me near the fulfillment model, shown by Knitter, with definite tendencies towards the graciousness of God seen in Pinnock.
Any critique or ideas would be appreciated.
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