Summer Series On Jesus and Salvation

In the Koinonia Class this morning we discussed several options for our summer study. We landed on one that is very timely in light of The DaVinci Code movie, the Gospel of Judas hype of the past month, and current religious debates—taken from the title of a recent book by James R. Edwards, our study asks “Is Jesus The Only Savior?”

I recommend this book for both of the intended targets of the material as Edwards states in his preface (see below). The material in this book is scholarly, but very readable.

In the preface Edwards says, “A constellation of factors…has subjected the claim that Jesus is the only savior to suspicion and doubt. It has become fashionable to express such doubts in public venues. It is my impression that people are anxious about this question, and that they would breathe more easily if we could all agree that Jesus is a savior of the word, not the savior of the world.”

Edwards goes on to say the book is written to “help two types of readers … (those) whose faith has been unsettled or stimulated by the views of Jesus expressed above … (and) a second group of readers …, one that does not adhere to any particular Christian claims…”

Some of the statements I have heard and the questions that have been raised recently have led me to conclude that there is one overarching religious question making the rounds in our culture—the question of salvation. But it’s not really asked in the way Edwards states it. It comes masked in two other questions: (1) What can we really believe about the Bible?; and (2) What can we really believe about Jesus Christ?.

The DaVinci Code book and movie present the dominant secular view of Western culture—that the Bible is not trustworthy and Jesus was just a (married) man whose teachings and compassion inspired his followers to later claim that he was divine. So, the Church is both deluded and deceptive in continuing to promise heaven to Jesus’ followers.

Following the material in the Edwards book and other sources, we will answer the objections to both the trustworthiness of the Bible and of Jesus as the source of salvation for a world in need of being saved.

Out of my own study and reflection on this and several other books which will be referenced throughout this study, I drew up some questions under a heading of “Salvation Series”.


1. Is there a need for “salvation”?
2. Is there such a thing as “salvation”?
3. Does salvation require a savior? (or is it attainable by one’s own efforts or automatically conferred by some deity, spirit, or force?)
4. What would a savior look like? (what qualifications would a “savior” have?)
5. Are there any “saviors”? (i.e. at least one; how many possible?)
6. Is Jesus a savior?
7. Is Jesus the only savior?
8. Is Jesus the savior for everyone? (i.e. universally available salvation through Jesus)
9. Is Jesus the savior of everyone? (i.e. universally accomplished salvation by Jesus—or that salvation is a fait accompli)
10. What about those who have heard of Jesus and rejected Him as their savior?
11. What about those who have not heard of Jesus, or lived before Him?

You might think of some other questions. If so, feel free to ask them in the comments or email me the questions.

In various ways each of these questions will be addressed this summer. In order for us to stay together, I’ll be following the outline of Edwards’ book. This will also result in an overview of the foundational questions that are essential to explore and answer the ultimate question of the book: “Is Jesus the only Savior?”.