Example of research paper on perspectives on salvation

Summaries

The Gospel of Mark (and Matthew)
In the first two gospel books, numerous perceptions regarding salvation are incorporated. From the two books, it apparent that Jesus as the son of God came to earth with the main purpose being to proclaim and usher in the kingdom of God. For Jesus to make the kingdom of God known, he performed miracles, casted away demons through exorcisms, and later died in the cross to save humankind (Levering, 2014). As established in the first two books of the gospel. The death of Jesus was in accordance to the will of God despite this Jesus trusted his father for the good of man, this shows that Jesus is indeed the son of God. The crucifixion of Jesus in the cross act as an exemplar to the disciples that they must trust and obey God at all times irrespective of their circumstances (Levering, 2014).
Apparently, numerous passages in the book of Mark and Mathew support the aforementioned notions. In Matthew 25: 31-46, Mathew describes the criteria he believes will be used in the Day of Judgment to discern those who will enter heaven and those that spent their eternity in hell. According to Mathew, those that will enter the kingdom of God are the ones that gave clothing to the insolvent, food to the hungry, and drinks to the thirsty. “ For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you invited me in (Mathew 25: 35 New International Version)”. In the book of mark particularly Mark 9: 42-48, Jesus stress the need to avoid actions on earth that will technically prevent one from entering the kingdom of God. From this passage, if your hand prevents you from entering the kingdom of God, it is your obligation to chop it off (Sadiku, 2014).
With the above said, it was apparent that salvation is dependent on how one treats other people while on earth. In Mathew 7: 12, the book establishes that one ought to do unto others what he or she would in turn want them do for them (McKnight, 2011). All through the book of Mathew salvation is dependent one’s actions on earth. Passages that support this in this book include, Matthew 19: 16-17, Matthew 5: 20, Mark 12: 32-34 and Mathew 5: 10.

The Letters of Paul:

At the onset, where Paul begins his letter, he shows the need for salvation by offering us an overview of God’s righteousness and unrighteousness. He emphasizes that through Christ righteousness, we can be declared righteous as well (Danchev, 2014). The theme of righteousness is brought to light throughout the letters of Paul. This theme is made apparent in Philippians 3: 9, Romans (1: 16-17) and Romans (1: 18-32). Through the aforementioned passages, Paul emphasizes that the justification is righteous and conventional by God. The above is made apparent in Romans (5: 1-2) where Paul emphasizes that “ because we have been justified, we can have peace with God Romans (5: 1-2 New International Version).”
Apparent from the letters of Paul is the fact that God values justice, in this way he cannot leave sins unpunished (Danchev, 2014). In Romans 4: 24-25, we can only be perceived as righteous and justified if only we believe in God and the resurrection of Jesus. In Galatians 4: 4-7, Paul emphasizes that we are slaves who have been alienated from the wrath of God through the death and resurrection of his son. Paul sums up his perceptions regarding salvation in (Acts 16: 31). Believe in the lord Jesus and be saved (Acts 16: 31).

The Writings of John:

According to the book of John, Jesus was sent by God to teach us more about God, die for humankind and subsequently return to his father God (Keynes, 2012). John emphasizes that all this was initiated by God out of love for human kind. All through the gospel of John, the need of believing in the name of Jesus and believing that Jesus is God in the flesh has been emphasized. Upon believing that Jesus is God in the flesh, humankind comes into a newly established relationship with God. Through this relationship, humankind shares the eternal life of God and the presence of spirit. John stresses the need to show love, and obedience to God and also to others for this relationship to remain profound and relevant.
Throughout the gospel of John, the theme of believing has been explained insightfully. John (3: 15) emphasizes “ everyone who believes in him may have eternal life (John 3: 15 New International Version).” The above establishes that salvation is all about believing in Jesus Christ and his resurrection. Many other passages that support the need to believe for one to enter the kingdom of God include John 4: 41-42, John 4: 39, John 4: 41-42 among many others. All through these passages, John makes one apparent conclusion: you ought to believe in God to enter the kingdom of God (Keynes, 2012).

Synthesis

Though the three aforementioned perspectives differ in perceptions regarding salvation, it is imperative to denote that the three perspectives share common themes. Throughout the three perspectives summarized above, one thing that remains relevant all through is the definition of salvation. In all the three perspectives, salvation is perceived as the redemption from the power of sins. At one point in the books scrutinized, the mention of alienating oneself from sinful ways has been mentioned.
In the Gospel of Mark (and Matthew), in Mark 9: 42-48, Mark establishes the need to alienate oneself form actions that may prevent you from entering the kingdom of God. Jesus gave an example as accentuated that from this passage, if your hand prevents you from entering the kingdom of God, it is your obligation to chop it off in order to enter the kingdom of God. In Mathew 7: 12, Jesus emphasizes the need of doing well to others as a way of avoiding sins.
In the letters of Paul establishes that sins have alienated human kind from God. By trusting and believing in Jesus Christ, we are predisposed to defeating sins and death, hence seeing the kingdom of God. This notion in essence establishes the fact that salvation is the redemption from the power of sins (Johnson, 2013). Perspectives incorporated in the book of John support the same. Apparently, the book John emphasizes the need of believing in Jesus. By believing in Jesus one, is automatically alienated from the sinful ways since he or she will work to exemplify Jesus and his work.
Though the three perspectives share a common theme, it is imperative to establish the fact that the three present this theme differently. In the book of John, the need to believe in Jesus and his resurrection is a platform to knowing what is right for human kind. In the Gospel of Mark (and Matthew), the need of giving and doing right to others is a necessity to seeing the kingdom of God. From the letters of Paul, the theme of righteous is well established. Through Christ righteousness, we can be declared righteous as well. It is important to note that though the three perspectives use different ways to deliver their information, the definition of salvation that remains all through is that: salvation is the redemption from the power of sins.

Application and Interpretation

Apparently, the perspectives and the corresponding verses can be used to exemplify the quality of life and one’s relationship with God. From a personal perspective, I can apply concepts incorporated in the three perspectives to understand the importance of giving, significance of justice, and the magnitude of be living in the death and resurrection Jesus.
In the contemporary times, majority of people particularly the rich have no compassion and consideration for the poor. From the book of Mathew it is apparent that those that don’t give at the expense of accumulating wealth and accomplishing their earthly desires will not see the kingdom of God. “ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was stranger and you invited me in (Mathew 25: 35 New International Version)”. To me personally, I will practice to give as a way of exemplifying the teachings of Jesus and seeking to enter the kingdom of God.
In the contemporary times, instances of injustices have been reported to be on the rise. To make apparent the fact that God values Justice, Paul in his letters portrays the theme of righteousness. This theme is made apparent in Philippians 3: 9, Romans (1: 16-17 New International Version) and Romans (1: 18-32 New International Version). Through the aforementioned passages, Paul emphasizes that justification is righteous and conventional by God. It is therefore apparent to note that as a Christians or otherwise those that seek the kingdom of God, we ought to do unto others what we would in turn want them do for them (Mathew 7: 12 New International Version).
Additionally, it is apparent that those that do not believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus in the contemporary times live destructive and unfocussed lives. John (3: 15) emphasizes that “ everyone who believes in him may have eternal life (John 3: 15 New International Version)”. By believing, one automatically becomes part of the believer’s society. In this way one will alienate oneself from destructive behaviors like hate, lust, greediness among many others.

References

Danchev, A. (2013). The Letters of Paul Cézanne. Thames & Hudson Limited.
Johnson, E. A. (2013). Jesus and Salvation. Proceedings of the Catholic Theological Society
of America, 49.
Keynes, J. M. (2012). The Collected Writings of John Maynard Keynes: Activities 1931-
1939. E. S. Johnson, & D. E. Moggridge (Eds.). Cambridge University Press.
Levering, M. (2014). Christ’s Fulfillment of Torah and Temple. Poetry.
McKnight, S. (2011). MATTHEW As ‘ GosPEL’. Jesus, Matthew’s Gospel and Early
Christianity: Studies in Memory of Graham N. Stanton, 435, 59.
Sadiku, M. N. (2014). Mark. Trafford Publishing.
Tyndale House Publishers. (2014). Life application study Bible: New International Version.
Wheaton, Ill: Tyndale House.