Definition
Redemption is the overarching term for God’s saving act by which people are freed from the power of sin, death, and bondage and restored to their original relationship with God. In the corpus the term carries a broad semantic spectrum: juridical buy-back through the go’el right (Jones), organic deliverance-as-exodus (Nee/Lee), cosmic restoration of creation (Noordzij), blood atonement through the Lamb (Warnock), and monergistic initiative of God as sole Savior (Bullinger).
Usage in the Corpus
E.W. Bullinger
Redemption is for Bullinger exclusively God’s work: “God alone is Savior” (Isa. 43:10-11). Redemption begins and ends with God; its structure is numerically encoded: number 14 = redemption (2 × 7), the number of the covenant with Abraham and of Christ’s once-for-all offering (ἅπαξ). [Bullinger, Number in Scripture]
Stephen Jones
Jones interprets redemption legally through the go’el right: Christ as the nearest blood-relative has the right and the duty to redeem the entire human race — as God’s property. The Jubilee law (Lev. 25) is the structural principle: all alienated property returns after 50 years to its owner. Redemption is thus inevitable and universal, but phased. [Jones, The Restoration of All Things, Ch. 7]
Watchman Nee & Witness Lee
Nee/Lee distinguishes the Redeemer (the Lamb) from the all-inclusive Christ: redemption through the blood is the starting point, not the destination. The Lamb redeems from Egypt; the Land (all-inclusive Christ) is the goal. Redemption without appropriating the risen Christ is an incomplete salvation trajectory. [Nee/Lee, The All-inclusive Christ]
Cees Noordzij
Redemption is cosmic for Noordzij: not only individuals but the entire creation is redeemed from “futility” (Rom. 8:18-25). Redemption culminates in apokatastasis — the manifestation of the sons of God.
George Warnock
Warnock connects redemption to Passover: justification through Christ’s blood is the foundation, but full redemption encompasses also Pentecost (empowerment) and Tabernacles (complete sanctification and manifestation of the sons of God).