History

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  Throughout ancient Hebrew experiences and, later, the history of the earliest followers of Jesus, redemption is an important concept that finds its apex in biblical writers' interpretation of the Christ event. The term "redemption" appears as early as the books of Exodus and Numbers. The context in which redemption appears in these early passages is similar to the contemporary secular idea of redemption--a payment. Redemption and ransom are closely associated. Both terms refer to payment in exchange for the release of a person or an item detained contingent upon that payment. In Numbers, the term obtains metaphorical meaning, a concept of liberation. Across the remainder of the Old Testament, redemption gains momentum and refers to Yahweh's saving actions. Redemption of Israel (the Hebrew people) begins to be understood as individual redemption. In the New Testament, redemption resembles earlier meanings and takes on a Greek understanding of release from civil duties or from imprisonment. According to The Dictionary of the Bible, John L. McKenzie, S.J., ed., the word "redemption" only appears twice in the Gospels. Jesus becomes ransom, the voluntary offering who redeems humanity by his vicarious saving act.
  
  

Significance

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  According to Christian theology, God educates humanity about God's nature and relationship with humanity over the course of salvation history, which begins "in the beginning." This educational process is called "divine pedagogy," and the depth of human understanding grows over time. For Christianity (not to be confused with Jewish understanding), the ultimate concept of redemption centers in Christ's saving act of death and resurrection. Christians look to that act and see their personal salvation, paid for by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ. That the Gospels use the term only twice leads one to that contemporary Christian ideas of redemption/salvation are rooted more specifically in Pauline and other Christian writers who wrote and interpreted events chronicled in the Gospels. The early Christian understanding of redemption was articulated as time passed. It might be argued that the theological complexities continue to be developed, if one agrees with the assumption of divine pedagogy.
  
  

Features

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  The act of redemption changed over thousands of years until it reached its climax on the Cross in the New Testament. In Exodus, Yahweh instructs Moses that at the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Passover), the firstlings of donkeys will be redeemed with a lamb and the first born sons of the Hebrew people will be redeemed. That Jesus is referred to as the Passover Lamb and that his blood redeems humanity is not accidental. It is the result of building upon the ancient Hebrew understanding of Yahweh's care for his people. In the New Testament, the idea of redemption extends to everyone, as described in the Pentecost account in the Acts of the Apostles.
  
  

Misconceptions

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  It is difficult to address misconceptions about the meaning of redemption in the Bible. The Bible contains two accounts for two religious traditions. The overlapping ideas and beliefs and the divergences of beliefs is extremely complex and technical. One important misconception is that the Hebrew understanding of redemption does not recognize the Christian Messiah. If, however, Jewish-Christian relations are to grow, it seems that one starting point is to strive to ascribe due dignity to each faith system. Another misconception is that the idea of redemption stops with the Bible. Early Christian writers developed the idea of redemption, working out the mystery that resides at the center of Christ's redemptive act. Possibly the most challenging misconception is that all Christians interpret specific teachings about redemption, e.g. divine pedagogy, exactly the same. Because Christian denominations and non-denominations radically differ with one another about biblical interpretation and Bible versions, details about redemption and much else are sources of divisiveness within the larger Christian community.
  
  

Expert Insight

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  On one hand, redemption in the Bible is straight-forward. One can weed out passages, read them prayerfully and with guidance from one's minister, and carry away a faith-level of understanding. That is, Jesus Christ died, was buried, and resurrected as ransom for human sin. Conversely, the relationship between Jewish and Christian theology reveals challenging technical issues, not to mention the divisions among Christians about related issues. At times like this, one thinks that the simple belief is best. Unfortunately, that does nothing to resolve very real animosity within the Christian communities. One truth is certain, for Christians; at the heart of what the Bible says about redemption is deep mystery that awaits the fullness of time to be penetrated, and that truth centers on the Jesus Christ's salvific act on the Cross.