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.]
   1. A discourse on health, or the science of promoting and
      preserving health.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Theol.) The doctrine of salvation by Jesus Christ.
      [1913 Webster]

	

	soteriology
    n 1: the branch of Christian theology that deals with salvation
         as the effect of a divine agency