4.8 St Irenaeus' and St Anselm's thoughts on salvation

• What did St Irenaeus believe?

  • Salvation was first needed when Adam and Eve ate from the Tree of Knowledge
  • Jesus lived his life in total obedience to God; and so when he died on the Tree of the Cross, it is thought that he brought an end to the need of salvation
• What did St Anselm believe in?

  • He believed when Adam and Eve ate from the Tree of knowledge, they became slaves to sin, and had to pay a ransom to be freed
  • Jesus paid this ransom after dying on the cross; atoning for humanity's sin
• What are the strengths of St Irenaeus' belief?

  Shows parallels between Adam and Eve and Jesus' sacrifice
• What are the weaknesses of St Irenaeus' belief?

  Not all Christians believe this interpretation of Adam and Eve
• What are the strengths of St Anselm's belief?

  Reflects that Christians are slaves to Christ, and no longer sin
• What are the weaknesses of St Anselm's belief?

  It's not clear who the ransom was paid to