Usapang Who is Jesus (Part V): Soteriology

Sa huling episode ng ating Christology miniseries, tinanong natin ang pinakapundamental na tanong: Paano nga ba tayo iniligtas ni Kristo?

Hindi lang ito tungkol sa langit, kundi tungkol sa tunay na pagbabagong espiritwal at pakikibahagi sa buhay ng Diyos. Mula sa pagtalakay ng kasalanan at sakripisyo, hanggang sa unika’t ganap na papel ni Kristo bilang tagapamagitan, sinuri natin ang katotohanan ng kaligtasan sa liwanag ng Banal na Kasulatan at turo ng Simbahan.

🧭 Episode Breakdown:

1️⃣ General Introduction to Salvation (Scriptural Foundation)

➤ John 3:16, Romans 5:8, 1 Corinthians 15:3, Isaiah 53
➤ Salvation as divine initiative – love in action, not just moral reform.

2️⃣ The Death of Jesus: Expiation and Substitution

➤ Hebrews 9:11–14, Romans 3:25, 2 Corinthians 5:21

➤ Christ as High Priest and the perfect sacrifice, who took our place.
➤ Mysterium Paschale ni von Balthasar: Christ entered abandonment to redeem even the farthest sinner.

3️⃣ Christ as Mediator and Fullness of Revelation

➤ Dei Verbum 2 & 4: God has fully revealed Himself in Christ.
➤ Redemptoris Missio 5 & 11, Mysterium Filii Dei (DH 1495), Dominus Iesus 6–8
➤ Hindi lang messenger si Jesus—Siya mismo ang mensahe ng Diyos.

4️⃣ Christology vs Religious Pluralism

➤ John 14:6, Acts 4:12

– Dominus Iesus 14–15: Only Christ is the universal and necessary Savior.

➤ Respect for other religions doesn’t mean denying Christ’s uniqueness.

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📚 Recommended Readings:

Scripture:

Isaiah 53
John 14:6
Romans 5–6
Hebrews 9–10
1 Corinthians 15

Magisterial Documents:

📘 Dei Verbum (Vatican II) – esp. §§2, 4
📘 Dominus Iesus (2000, CDF) – esp. §§6–15
📘 Redemptoris Missio – Pope John Paul II, esp. §§5, 11
📘 Mysterium Filii Dei (DH 1495–1496)

Theological Sources:

📗 Jesus of Nazareth, Vol. II – Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI)
📗 Mysterium Paschale – Hans Urs von Balthasar
📕 Catechism of the Catholic Church – §§599–618, 651–655
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🎯 Reflection Questions:

Ano ang pagkaunawa ko noon sa salitang “kaligtasan”? Nagbago ba ito matapos ang episode?
Sa mga paraan ng kaligtasan na tinalakay (expiation, substitution, revelation), alin ang pinaka tumama sa puso ko?
Paano ko maibabahagi ang katotohanan ni Kristo sa isang mundo na maraming paniniwala?

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