4.8 Iraneus' and Anselm's thoughts on Salvation:

St. Irenaeus

• Metaphor of the Tree: St. Irenaeus uses the metaphor of a tree to connect the Fall of Adam and Eve with the salvation brought by Jesus. The tree of the knowledge of good and evil represents humanity's disobedience, while the tree of the cross symbolises Jesus' obedience and sacrifice.

  • Fall: Adam and Eve's act of disobedience brought death and separation from God.

  • Salvation: Jesus' death on the cross offers the possibility of eternal life, restoring the broken relationship with God.

  Strengths:

  • Highlights the parallels between the Fall and Jesus' death.

  Weaknesses:

  • Not all Christians agree with his interpretation of the Genesis account.

St. Anselm

• Metaphor of the Slave Trade: St. Anselm compares Jesus' death to paying a ransom in a slave trade context. He argues that humanity became enslaved to sin after the Fall, and only through total obedience to God can atonement occur.

  • Ransom: Jesus' death is viewed as a payment that frees humanity from the bondage of sin.

  Strengths:

  • Reflects the belief that many Christians see themselves as servants to Christ, no longer enslaved to sin.

  Weaknesses:

  • The concept of who the ransom is paid to is unclear; some Christians feel this implies a hierarchy above God

Comparison of Metaphors