One of the core beliefs of Christians nearly everywhere is that there is such a thing as life after life. I’ve written about heaven before and I’ll say again here that I think there are some real misconceptions about what and where it is. (See my two-part posts on July 25 and July 27, 2017 if so inclined.)

In fact, the vast majority of human beings throughout all of our history have believed in some form of “life” after we inevitably die. The skeptic or critic might be quick to say that this is one other “god in the gaps,” example where we create alternative scenarios to the one where we just cease to exist altogether. We “create” heaven in order to combat the real and fearsome fact that we are simply dust to dust. Similarly, we create hell in order to ensure that not everyone gets to go to that really good place. And so on.

I’m not writing here to convince anyone that they are an eternal being, created for purpose, the main one of which is to spend that eternity in God’s presence.

Instead, in keeping with this theme of “Who is a Christian?,” I want to touch upon a theological term called “Salvation.”

In a strict dictionary sense, the word means “saving” or “delivering from.” In other words, it’s getting us away from something, presumably a thing that isn’t all that good.

Within the Christian context, it’s a noun. A thing. An event. An act. Fundamentally, it means that an individual who has been “saved” is then in possession of their “salvation.”

To most Christians, this is a big deal. To some Christians, this isn’t just a big deal, it’s the whole enchilada.

You’ll even hear many Christians, especially those whom are Protestant and self-identify as “Evangelical” Protestants (a term that crosses over particular denominational boundaries and is not, in itself, a denomination) claim they know exactly “when” they were “saved.” You might even hear them describe the very instnat of their salvation. This identity as a “saved” person is of utmost importance.

(Of course, that raises all sorts of other questions, frequently but not exclusively from skeptics, like “can someone be “saved” even though they were born into a culture that’s never even heard of Jesus?”)

If you’re willing to stay with me a bit more on this, I’m going to mention here another theological term that is related and that is Justification. As in “Justified by Faith.”

If that’s not familiar, that’s ok. Simply put, this doctrine, or belief, is that there is a moment in time when an individual is “justified” in the eyes of God. This is almost synonymous with being “saved” by God. To be “justified” means to be “made right with God.” In other words, it’s like God says, “Ok, Brad, now you’re on my team. Congratulations. You’re in.” A justified person is a saved person.

(There’s a neat little debate, among those Christians who want to think about these things, about whether a person can “lose” their justification and, therefore, lose their salvation. But, I won’t go there, now.)

Instead, in my mind’s eye, I’ll go to this extremely popular image from awhile back:

Behind home plate at baseball games or somewhere in the stands at a football game, stood a guy with crazy colored hair, jumping up and down, waving a sign that said John 3:16.

Remember him?

I thought he was a religious kook in a comical way as he danced around, waving that sign. I put him in the category of Jesus Freak, a popular moniker of the day. While I’d read a lot of the Bible at that point, I was a pure skeptic and only mildly interested in the famous words of that verse:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Or, in our context … be Justified and Saved.

The prescription is simple: Because God did this, all you have to do is believe in it (God sending his only son) and him (Jesus) … and you’re in.

Really? All I have to do to have eternal life (in heaven) is to believe that Jesus really is the Son of God and that if I believe in him, I get the ticket in? Hmmmmm.

Which also brings to mind a different popular image … this one, the recurring cartoon of St. Peter (Jesus’ somewhat bumbling disciple who later became a true leader in the early Christian church) standing at an artist’s renderings of the gates of heaven (whatever that is). There’s usually a long line of recently deceased people waiting to get in. Presumably, Peter, as the gatekeeper, has some kind of list of who qualifies, or else he’s been granted his own authority. If they have the right ticket, they’re in. Otherwise … well, the cartoon doesn’t usually go there.

We can make fun of these images but they underscore real and powerful Christian beliefs. Beliefs that skeptics and critics find confusing and even upsetting.

In fact, this conflict is one of the key elements involved in the great reform movement launched by Martin Luther. Luther argued that the Church (the only church of that era in that part of the world … Roman Catholic) was actually involved in selling salvation. I mean, really selling. Cash. They were called “indulgences” and were offered as a reward for certain kinds of deliberate acts or payments to church officials. One could buy “salvation” for deceased relatives who would then be able to bypass a kind of holding place or temporary jail called “Purgatory” and walk through those pearly gates. Luther basically said, “Hey, Remember St. Paul and all of his teachings? Remember Jesus? Remember the Bible? None of that is in there. You made this up.”

Instead, Luther claimed we are “Justified (saved) by Grace alone.” That is, the grace that is granted to the unworthy by believing in Jesus.

To this day, the debate rages on what brings about salvation. Many people (not including I) hang on to a belief which I contend is false … that our good deeds are what brings Justification and Salvation.

Alternatively, I contend, like Luther and many others, that it is Grace, the most incomprehensible and powerful force in the universe. Grace alone.

As I move towards a conclusion with this piece, I feel the need to bring up another line of thinking within Christian circles about who can be saved.

(Lest we lose sight of the object here, it’s a core Christian belief that everyone is an eternal being and that God can make a heavenly afterlife available to each of us. Whether you agree with this or not, that’s a major aspect of Christianity.)

There is a position by some Christians and many who are not Christians but who believe in a heavenly afterlife that, eventually, all humans will be saved. All humans will end up in a good place. In the end, none will be rejected by God. There is a theological name for this and it is Universalism. The belief, here, is that a truly and fully loving God will never fully abandon one of his “children.” Yes, it might take time but, what the heck? When we’re talking about eternity and God’s healing power, even Adolf Hitler will be in. I admit, there’s a certain logic to this. In fact, this is a key belief of many who self-categorize as “spiritual but not religious.”

Should one want to get down in the weeds on these issues, there’s plenty of stuff to keep our attention. Libraries are full of the debates and positions. I’ll put it out there that because of how complex these simple concepts can become when put under a microscope, it’s natural to throw up one’s hands and say, “who am I to know?”

That would be right.

On the other hand, I’ve chosen to pick my answer as the one that makes the most sense given all of the things I’ve read, heard, talked and thought about. I admit that I may be only scratching the surface and that I could be misguided on the particulars.

But, I do believe that the doctrines (which, themselves, are beliefs) of Justification and Salvation are largely solid and should not be ignored or dismissed by anyone as they consider what happens upon death.

Speaking of death …

Next: The End Times