soteriology

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 14, 2026

Quick Summary

Soteriology is the theological study of salvation. The fundamental idea behind salvation, across many religions, is delivering individuals from a dire situation. This concept implies assumptions about human nature and destiny.123

In Christianity, soteriology is closely tied to Christology, focusing on Jesus Christ's incarnation and sacrificial death as central to God's plan for humanity's salvation. This plan addresses original sin inherited from Adam and individual sins, with Christ's work interpreted as either a sacrifice to God for atonement or a price paid to redeem humanity from the Devil.4

Different religions offer various means to achieve salvation, including ritual magic, self-effort through knowledge or discipline, and divine aid from a savior. The ultimate2

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

6 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

salvation
Nature and significance
The term soteriology denotes beliefs and doctrines concerning salvation in any specific religion, as well as the study of the subject. The idea of saving or delivering from some dire situation logically implies that humankind, as a whole or in part, is in such a situation. This…
Read More
The term soteriology denotes beliefs and doctrines concerning salvation in any specific religion, as well as the study of the subject. The idea of saving or delivering from some dire situation logically implies that humankind, as a whole or in part, is in such a situation. This…
Read More

Hellenistic religion
The gods
…drama was homologized to a soteriology (salvation concept) concerning the destiny, fortune, and salvation of the individual after death. The collective agricultural rite became a mystery, a salvific experience reserved for the elect (such as the Greek mystery religion of Eleusis). Other traditions even more radically reinterpreted the ancient figures.…
Read More
…drama was homologized to a soteriology (salvation concept) concerning the destiny, fortune, and salvation of the individual after death. The collective agricultural rite became a mystery, a salvific experience reserved for the elect (such as the Greek mystery religion of Eleusis). Other traditions even more radically reinterpreted the ancient figures.…
Read More

Christianity
Inculturation: respecting places and peoples
Soteriology, the theological study of salvation, has often lent itself to inculturation. An early medieval example is found in the Saxon poem the Heliand, in which the gospel story is told with Christ as the warrior chieftain leading his companions into battle against Satan, the…
Read More
Soteriology, the theological study of salvation, has often lent itself to inculturation. An early medieval example is found in the Saxon poem the Heliand, in which the gospel story is told with Christ as the warrior chieftain leading his companions into battle against Satan, the…
Read More

myth
Myths of culture heroes and soteriological myths
A great many nonliterate traditions have myths about a culture hero (most notably, one who brings new techniques or technology to humankind—e.g., Prometheus, who supplies fire to humans in Greek mythology). A culture hero is generally not the person responsible for the creation…
Read More
A great many nonliterate traditions have myths about a culture hero (most notably, one who brings new techniques or technology to humankind—e.g., Prometheus, who supplies fire to humans in Greek mythology). A culture hero is generally not the person responsible for the creation…
Read More