Salvation is Not Individualistic: It Includes All Creation

Many people think of salvation as a personal journey—“being saved” and going to heaven. But in Orthodox Christianity, salvation is much greater than this. It is about the renewal of the entire cosmos—not just about individuals going to paradise

God’s plan is not only to save human souls, but to redeem, sanctify, and restore everything that has been broken by sin, bringing it back into harmony with Him. This includes humans, the earth, and all creation.

1. The Biblical Vision of Cosmic Salvation

Saint Paul makes this clear when he says:

“For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God... the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.”
(Romans 8:19-21)

This means:

• Creation itself suffers because of sin—not just humans, but the entire world has been affected.
• When Christ saves humanity, He is also saving creation.
• The final goal of salvation is not just going to heaven but the full renewal of the universe.

This idea runs throughout Scripture:

• Colossians 1:19-20:
“Through Christ, God reconciled to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven.”
This tells us that salvation is for all things, not just people.

• Revelation 21:1:
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.”
The Bible teaches that God is not destroying the world, but renewing it.

Thus, salvation is not an escape from the world—it is the healing and transfiguration of the world.

2. What the Church Fathers Teach

The early Church understood salvation as the restoration of the entire cosmos.

• Saint Irenaeus of Lyon (2nd century):
  “Christ recapitulated in Himself the entire creation, restoring all things to their original harmony with God.”
  (Against Heresies, Book 5)
  This means that Christ did not just come to save individuals—He came to restore everything.
• Saint Athanasius the Great (4th century):
  “The renewal of creation has been the work of the same Word who made it in the beginning. Thus, the work of redemption is also the work of recreation.”
  (On the Incarnation)
  Salvation is not about abandoning the world—it is about making it new.
• Saint Maximus the Confessor (7th century):
  “The Logos [Christ] desires to unite all things in Himself, restoring the world to its original beauty and bringing all creation into harmony with God.”
  (Ambiguum 7)
  Sin caused division and corruption, but Christ’s salvation heals and unites all things.
• Saint Isaac the Syrian (7th century):
  “Do not think that God’s mercy is only for men. The whole of creation will also be restored to the proper order.”
  God’s love and mercy extend to the whole universe, not just human beings.

This is why Orthodox Christianity rejects the idea that salvation is just about “me and Jesus.” It is about the healing of all things in Christ.

3. How Does Salvation Include Creation?

If salvation includes all creation, how does that happen?

A. The Fall of Humanity Affected All Creation

When Adam and Eve fell, they broke not just their own souls, but the harmony of all creation.

• Genesis 3:17-19 says the ground was cursed because of sin, and death entered the world.
• This is why nature itself is fallen—why we see destruction, suffering, and death in the world.

So, when Christ heals humanity, He also heals creation itself—because the two are connected.

B. Christ’s Resurrection is the Beginning of the New Creation

When Christ rose from the dead, He did not just save souls—He started the renewal of creation itself.

• His glorified body is the first part of the “new creation” that will be revealed fully at the end of time.
• The Transfiguration of Christ (Matthew 17:1-2) showed a glimpse of what creation will look like when it is fully renewed.
• The Church Fathers say that the whole world will be “transfigured” the same way Christ was at the Resurrection.

C. The Final Renewal of All Things

At the Second Coming, the world will not be destroyed but transformed.

• Revelation 21:1 speaks of a new heaven and a new earth.

The earth will be purified, healed, and made new, and humanity will live in it with resurrected bodies.

As Nikolai Berdyaev says:

“Salvation is cosmic in scope; it cannot be limited to individual souls alone. God’s redemption extends to all creation, calling humanity to creative responsibility.”
(The Meaning of the Creative Act)

This means that we are not just waiting for heaven—we are called to participate in the renewal of creation.

4. What This Means for Us

If salvation is not just personal, but cosmic, then we have a role to play right now in this renewal.

Here’s how:

1. Worship and Prayer Help Bring the Kingdom Now

• The Divine Liturgy is already a participation in the New Creation.
• Every time we pray, worship, and receive Communion, we bring God’s presence into the world.

2. Love and Forgiveness Help Heal the World

• Every time we forgive instead of hate, we bring the Kingdom closer.
• When we serve the poor, help the weak, and show mercy, we participate in God’s renewal of the world.

3. Caring for Creation Shows Our Role in Salvation

• If God is renewing creation, we should respect it now.
• Saint Ephrem the Syrian called the world “a living icon of God.”
• Orthodox saints like St. Seraphim of Sarov lived in harmony with nature as part of their spiritual life.

4. Living a Holy Life Prepares Us for the New Creation

• When we fight sin and grow in holiness, we align ourselves with God’s plan for renewal.
• Saint Symeon the New Theologian says:“When we see Him, we will become like Him; our humanity will be permeated entirely by divine beauty.”
  

Conclusion: Salvation is a Cosmic Event, and We Are Part of It

• Salvation is not just about individuals—it is about all creation being renewed in Christ.
• The saints teach that heaven and earth will be united, and all things will be restored.
• We are not just waiting for this to happen—we are called to participate in it.

So let us pray, love, forgive, and care for the world—because God is making all things new, and we are part of His plan.