A theology of theosis offers a deep, holistic understanding of salvation: not merely being forgiven, but being restored, transformed, and brought into fuller participation in the life of God. It begins with the idea of being directed back to wholeness, suggesting that salvation is not only about escaping guilt or punishment but also about healing what has been fractured in human life. In this view, salvation is relational and participatory. It is not simply a legal status or a future destination; it is a living union with God that begins now and reshapes the whole person.

So what does this have to do with the salvation issue that never seemed answerable or even agreeable to the Christian world? How did I arrive at an understanding of salvation, the central thesis of God’s prophets and eventually the Messiah’s arrival and death on Calvary? 

I have memories of my childhood walking home from Catholic school, always needing to stay alert for the Protestant bullies who would wait to attack us on our way home in the afternoons. Being the oldest in the family, I was the apparent target. As a good kid, I didn’t understand the behavior directed at me. Was it because I looked odd in my school uniform, or was it due to being a Catholic kid in the minority facing racist behavior? I didn’t know why they wanted to be so cruel to me!

Exegesis on Psalm 91

Psalm 91 spells out a world we are either prepared for or will destroy us. Are we walking into battle, unable to ward off the enemy with no weapons? The New Testament (NT) also warns us of the difficulties we will face. We’re told of the principalities and powers we will encounter. And of the thief that comes to steal, kill, and destroy.

The Salvation Paradox

Our Messiah, Yeshua, whose name in Hebrew means to restore, clearly stated in the Temple at the beginning of his ministry that his mission was to save and restore as many of us as possible and preach salvation. His salvation message clearly stated that he would heal and restore us to health, bring us to an abundant life, and restore our relationship with God.