Windows on the God who saves

The God who Saves : Salvation Stories

War (Victory over the Forces of Evil)

Hollywood Image : Saving Private Ryan.

In World War Two, Germany and Japan were out to conquer the world and it was a close thing. Historians say that when the Allied troups successfully landed at Normandy, the war was effectively won. There were more battles to take place, but this was the crucial Victory. The view from this window shows a cosmic Battle between God and Satan, Evil or chaos. Christ goes into Battle to save us and in his death wins a crucial victory and while there are more battles, the outcome of the war is now clear.
Some verses to support this ‘view’
Ephesians 6:12
1 Corinthians 15:57
1 Timothy 1:18
2 Timothy 2:1-4
Matt 20:28
Mark 10:45

Ransom

Hollywood image : Ransom Staring Mel Gibson
Humans have been held ransom by Satan. They are captive victims. Jesus came to earth to pay the price demanded to ‘redeem’ them. His death paid the price that Satan demanded and they are now free. When you go to a Pawnshop to buy-back something that you have ‘pawned’ the process is called redemption.
Some verses that support this ‘view’
Matt 20:28
Mark 10:45
1 Cor 6:20
1 Timothy 2:6
Tit 2:14
Ephesians 1:7

Law

Hollywood image : Lion Witch and Wardrobe or any courtroom drama
By sinning, humans have broken the law and there is a punishment for breaking the law. The issue is guilt and divine Justice. God sits as judge on bench in the position of judging humans. As judge he has to pass sentence. We are, afterall guilty. However in Christ, God takes the wig and robes off and stands in the dock, to take the punishment for us. In this way justice is satisfied.
In the movie the Lion the witch and the Wardrobe, Aslan defeats the white witch by surrendering himself in knowledge of the ‘old laws’.
Verses to support this ‘view’
John 11:50-52
Romans 3:20-21
Romans 5:8-9
Gal 3:22-26
Titus 2:14

Table

Hollywood image : The Blind Side
In the movie the blind side, a young man is slowly adopted into a family. In this view Jesus invites us to eat at his table and join his family. Jesus comes as a reconciler and peacemaker. He offers to adopt us into a new family. This is both a personal and global and looks forward from Jesus’ death to his eventual return and the creation of a new heaven and new earth.
Verses to support this ‘view’

Romans 5:10-11
2 Corinthians 5:18-20
Col 1:20-23
Gal 4:5
Eph 1:5
Romans 11:17-24

Questions

 What do you like or dislike about this view ?
 What are its strengths ?
 Does it have obvious weaknesses, or things that it doesn’t show ?
 How does Jesus save us in this view ? Save us from what /who ?
 Can you think of other Biblical stories that work for this view ?
 How does this feel personally ?
 How could this affect how you live ?