Generally speaking, are humans in need of some kind of redemption, salvation, reformation, transformation, etc.? (For short, I'll simply use the word "salvation" to refer to the notion of changing humans for the better.)
If so, what are we in need of salvation from?
How are we saved?
Is it necessary for individuals to do anything in order to obtain salvation? If so, what is that?
Please remember this thread is in a debate section. Thank you!
"It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship." - C.S. Lewis
There is a potential for all of us to share in the divine nature, to achieve theosis. This is a transformative process, indeed those in Christ are transformed from "glory to glory" into God's image (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Do we need to be saved? Yes. What from? The selfishness, greed, moral decay and lack of love that has stained our hearts and minds. Many would call this "original sin". This is a salvation which can transform us into our true selves, through Christ we find out who we are, who we were always meant to be. It isn't some free ticket to a city in the clouds, but promise of a perfect union with our God, with Love divine, within which we find our own being. A process that doesn't happen over night, one that is gradual, painful even, as Lewis more fully describes:
"The command Be ye perfect is not idealistic gas. Nor is it a command to do the impossible. He is going to make us into creatures that can obey that command. He said (in the Bible) that we were "gods" and He is going to make good His words. If we let Him—for we can prevent Him, if we choose—He will make the feeblest and filthiest of us into a god or goddess, dazzling, radiant, immortal creature, pulsating all through with such energy and joy and wisdom and love as we cannot now imagine, a bright stainless mirror which reflects back to God perfectly (though, of course, on a smaller scale) His own boundless power and delight and goodness. The process will be long and in parts very painful; but that is what we are in for. Nothing less. He meant what He said."
By achieving perfect communion with God through Christ's death and resurrection, we will be transformed into our true selves, to what we were intended to be and undo the shackles of meaninglessness, misery and death. St Macarius the Great achieved this in his own life and said he could not imagine experiencing anything else from his soul after death. Perfect communion with God, with divine Love, liberates us and enables us to achieve our true potential, by living our lives as the beings God intended us to be.
(As a side note, Lewis' words should not be confused with Mormon theology that would have us turn into literal, separate gods of our own, but rather in the sense that we will become perfect reflections and images of God, sharing in His divine nature as promised in 2 Peter 1:4. It is the result of achieving perfect communion with Him.)