Images of Salvation in the New Testament

by Brenda B. Colijn

What does salvation in the New Testament look like? "The New Testament does not develop a systematic doctrine of salvation," writes Brenda Colijn. "Instead, it presents us with a variety of pictures taken from different perspectives. From one angle, the human predicament is rebellion against God. Salvation looks like living under God's universal reign. From another angle, the human predicament is bondage to both internal and external forces. Salvation looks like freedom from those forces. From yet a third angle, the human predicament looks like alienation from God, from other people, from creation and even from one's own best self. Salvation looks like the restoration of those relationships." Colijn, who holds degrees in English literature as well as theology, embraces a critical-realist methodology that incorporates New Testament theology, literary criticism and theological interpretation. She advocates listening to the individual authors of Scripture in their own social-cultural and historical settings, while looking for how the texts work both individually and collectively at a literary level. Students of the New Testament and of theology will both find their vision broadened and their understanding deepened by this rich, informative study. As the author seeks to understand their implications for people of faith, she uncovers how New Testament images provide the building blocks of the master story of redemption.

Genres: Theology, Religion

335 pages, Paperback

First published October 5, 2010

About the author

Brenda Colijn is Associate Professor of Biblical Interpretation and Theology at Ashland Theological Seminary in Ashland, Ohio. Colijn, who holds degrees in English literature as well as theology, embraces a critical-realist methodology that incorporates New Testament theology, literary criticism and theological interpretation. She advocates listening to the individual authors of Scripture in their own social-cultural and historical settings, while looking for how the texts work both individually and collectively at a literary level and then come together theologically.

Reviews

[Will Waller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is superb. It is strangely concise for the topic of salvation. You will gain a heartier understanding of Hebrews and Revelation and their role in comprehending New Testament salvation along with the smaller Epistles. I would recommend this to any pastor wanting to preach on Salvation.

[Aaron Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful exposition of salvation in the New Testament. Salvation has become the central focus in most of our churches in America. Although not wrong, it has left as stuck in just waiting around for Jesus to come and take us away. Terms like justification, sanctification, free gift, covenant, and faith or faithfulness have carried with them vast assumptions as to what they mean and entail. Even if we feel we understand these terms they tend to lose all their meaning, or only remain in the halls of academia. There is so much more going on with these images that are portrayed regarding salvation, and if every pastor/teacher could grasp all that the Bible is trying to convey with these images, the Kingdom would indeed encapsulate the whole earth, and people's lives would indeed be changed and transformed. Colijn does an exquisite job at articulating the depth of these words the Bible uses, and can be read and understood by all levels of Bible students.

[David Carlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I suggest you start with the conclusion (pp. 313-316). Then go through the chapters. Colijn rejects that one expression (image) of salvation is not dominant, but are all expressions of the gospel.
I did sometimes get lost in the weeds. The discussion of "in Christ" in Paul was a breakdown of the 150 or more references.(p.248ff.) It read a bit like an article in Kittle.
I thought her discussion of the solid value of images in the introduction was very helpful.
I agree that a more complete understanding of God's saving work in Christ should offer a fuller experience of salvation. It allows that the whole career of Christ (p.314) bears on the meaning and ongoing experience of salvation.

[Ryan Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. A bit repetitive and uneven but really nice to have all of these perspectives on salvation in one place. A great primer for people looking to explore, with lots of references for further study.

[Dr V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Salvific.

[Bill Forgeard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it. (I think). Examines the various biblical images used to describe salvation. These are familiar terms such as eternal life, entering the kingdom, reconciliation, adoption, justification, etc etc. These "images of salvation" are a rich, biblical way to reflect on and communicate the salvation God has brought about through Christ in all its wonderful fullness. Colijn refuses to make 'systematic' comparisons between different images but treats each in its biblical context.

Draws seven helpful overall conclusions: 1. Salvation is not first of all about us, but about God; 2. Salvation is based on the whole career of Christ, not just His death; 3. Salvation requires our allegiance; 4. Salvation is fundamentally covenantal; 5. Salvation is inescapably social; 6. Salvation is transformational, not transactional; 7. Salvation is eschatological.

I thought the chapter on election, which was unapologetically Arminian, was out of place with the more balanced tone of the rest of the book. I did grow a little weary of the repeated critique of the "traditional protestant" overemphasis on justification, which I thought was overstated.

[Derek · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give this book another star I would. Great book that analyzes the metaphors of salvation in the New Testament for what they are: Images that portray an understanding. The author is very well prepared and includes some "giants" in her research to compile this book. The book will change the way you look at salvation in the NT if you read with an open mind.

[Tanner Hawk · Rating 4 out of 5]

"While it is understandable that secular society recasts salvation in a way that serves its own interests, it is unfortunate that the church sometimes does the same" (13).

"The New Testament does not develop a systematic doctrine of salvation. Instead, it presents us with a variety of pictures taken from different perspectives...No single picture is adequate to express the whole" (13-4).

[Larry Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Colijin does a most thorough and masterful job of investigating and developing a biblical theology of salvation through the various metaphores and imagery of the New Testament. An excellent reference work that I will turn to again and again.