The Collaborative International Dictionary
soteriology \so*te`ri*ol"o*gy\ (s[-o]*t[=e]`r[i^]*[o^]l"[-o]*j[y^]), n. [Gr. swthri`a safety (from swth`rios saving, swth`r a savior, sw`zein to save) + -logy.]
A discourse on health, or the science of promoting and preserving health.
(Theol.) The doctrine of salvation by Jesus Christ.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
1847, in reference to health; 1864 in reference to salvation, from German soteriologie, from Greek soteria "preservation, salvation," from soizein "save, preserve," related to sos "safe, healthy," of uncertain origin. With -ology.
Wiktionary
n. (context theology English) The study or doctrine of salvation.
WordNet
n. the branch of Christian theology that deals with salvation as the effect of a divine agency
Wikipedia
Soteriology (; " salvation" from σωτήρ "savior, preserver" and λόγος "study" or "word") is the study of religious doctrines of salvation. Salvation theory occupies a place of special significance in many religions.
In the academic field of religious studies, soteriology is understood by scholars as representing a key theme in a number of different religions and is often studied in a comparative context; that is, comparing various ideas about what salvation is and how it is obtained.
Usage examples of "soteriology".
This theological fiction was a product of Christianity, anxious to read into the word of God in the Old Testament a prefiguration of the idea contained in Christian soteriology, that Jesus was suffering to atone for the sins of the world.
That ancient soteriology of the mysteries is still alive today in Christianity.