Social critics argue that we are entering into a post-Christian phase of American culture. Consequently, much of the shared understanding between Christians and non-Christians is evaporating. Basic words like “God,” “faith,” “hope,” “love,” “sin,” and “salvation” remain common among Christians, but are often misunderstood by those outside the church. In this series, we will explore each of these words, and consider what Christian actually mean by them. It is my hope that this series will help to foster a more holistic dialog between Christians and non-Christians. A thread running through this entire series is the notion that we cannot save ourselves, that humanity is doomed without some kind of outside help. In this episode, we’ll talk about the word “salvation,” and consider its bearing on the human predicament.