"Jesus Saves ... Green Stamps"

In obvious bad taste, this cynical but funny line caught my expanding junior high world view back in the 70s. For me raised in the church, it was certainly irreverent. 

Being saved was absolutely central to my faith. I learned about salvation from a very young age and it was something that religious people around me never questioned, in any detail whatsoever.

Mostly out of fear, unfortunately.

Modern Christianity’s version of salvation is a big event - releasing us from sin once and for all. Also, a big production following a fiery sermon with dramatic and pleading music. And for an impressionable and conscientious young man, it all seemed epic! I experienced many, many altar calls in churches and camp meetings over the years, but unfortunately, they didn’t seem to stick. The promises were plentiful, but the payoffs were not.