“The Paschal mystery of Christ’s cross and Resurrection stands at the centre of the Good News that the apostles, and the Church following them, are to proclaim to the world. God’s saving plan was accomplished “once for all” by the redemptive death of his Son Jesus Christ.”
Obiter Dicta: The theology of salvation is called soteriology. The word soteriology is rooted in two Greek words, one meaning “savior” (so-tare-rain) and one meaning “study” or “word” (low-gos). Soteriology attempts to address, among other things, just how Jesus’ passion and death and resurrection forgives our sins and saves us; allowing us to join with God in eternal bliss.
There have been many such soteriological explanations. One asserts that God is rightfully disappointed with us, our sinfulness, and in righteous anger will not allow us entry to heaven until our sins are cleared away by means of a sacrifice. Like the innocent lamb was sacrificed at Passover to protect the Israelites from the avenging angel which in turned led them to freedom from their oppressors, Jesus must be sacrificed in our place to protect us from God’s vengeance; thus allowing us free access to heaven. Another soteriological explanation is that God, being all and only good, cannot tolerate/stand sin entering into God’s presence (existence). Jesus, in his innocence, allowed the acts of sinful men to impact his life to the point of death; in the words of the New Testament, Jesus became sin. Being God, by becoming sin Jesus ushers sin into the presence of God. God cannot tolerate this, so it is God who annihilates sin, removes sin from the reality of all those choosing to accept God’s gift of eternal bliss with God.
These are two of many other such soteriologies. None of them are fully convincing as an explanation for how Jesus’ passion and death and resurrection saves us. And, knowing the correct soteriology is not necessary for reception of the divine gift of eternal bliss with God. All that is necessary is to acknowledge the reality and the effect of Jesus’ passion and death and resurrection. The salvific effect of this acknowledgement is not known through logical deduction with algorithmic certainty. It can only be experienced through faith. This difference between knowing and experiencing is important. Freedom from sin and its effects is not a question requiring an answer (i.e. knowledge); it is a problem requiring a solution (i.e. experience)
Catholic Philosophy and Theology 