Forgivness, Eternal life and Salvation

[graff5501]

I often see these three mentioned together. I understand the first two, how do the Lutheran Confessions differentiate eternal life and salvation?

 

[Tangible]

They are all three different facets of the same jewel.

 

[graff5501]

They are all three different facets of the same jewel.

That's a nice image, but it doesn't explain the distinctiveness asked for in the question. It's like saying "the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are different facets of the same jewel," but what I'm really looking for is how is the Father not the Son and the Son not the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit not the Father." I can go to the Ecumenical Creeds and speak of the distinctiveness of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit within the Godhead. This is the parallel to what I am asking in my original question. How is "salvation" understood in this commonly expressed triad?

 

[Resha Caner]

I don't know if the Confessions make an explicit distinction. I'll offer a suggestion, and my fellow Lutherans can reply as to whether they think it fitting.

I would say "salvation" is the means and "eternal life" is the end. IOW salvation is the act of God that brings us eternal life - that simply being a life eternally spent in full communion with God.

 

[Tangible]

I don't know if the Confessions make an explicit distinction. I'll offer a suggestion, and my fellow Lutherans can reply as to whether they think it fitting.

I would say "salvation" is the means and "eternal life" is the end. IOW salvation is the act of God that brings us eternal life - that simply being a life eternally spent in full communion with God.

Works for me.

Salvation is the process through which God accomplishes all that he has done, is doing, and will do in order that I may have had, have now, and will have eternal life with him in his kingdom, in blessedness and righteousness forever, etc.

(The "etc." is meant to be Lutheresque.)

It seems to me that salvation can include, but is not limited to, eternal life.