Today I want to look at an oft-overlooked text in favor of inclusivism, the doctrine that hearing the gospel and making a cognitive confession of it (as described in Romans 10:9) is not necessary for salvation. Let’s begin with the text. In Revelation 5:9 the Lamb (Jesus) is depicted opening a scroll as the saints […]
inclusivism
How exclusive should Christianity be?
Many Christians are exclusivists by which I don’t mean that they are social snobs or against racial integration. Rather, an “exclusivist” is one who believes that certain things are essential to being saved by Jesus. Catholic Community Exclusivism Historic Catholicism (i.e. prior to Vatican II) tended to be exclusivist about membership in its own institution. That is, […]
If you declare with your mouth … and believe in your heart
Romans 10:9-11 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. This […]
The day the devil went to seminary and other bizarre things
Ray asks: ” “So… what is it one must believe or trust [to be saved]? And how does it lead to works?” I don’t think a person has to have any beliefs to be saved. Severely mentally handicapped people, fetuses and infants have no beliefs and yet they can be (I’d say are) saved. Okay fine, but […]
Vaccines and the beliefs of those who receive them
Alexander appears to think that my attempt to provide one plausible way to construe Christian salvation in response to Maitzen’s argument is vulnerable to a reductio ad absurdum. And so he writes: “What if there was an atheist Gandhi? Would he be able to reach heaven in the same manner as does this Gandhi? Finally, if everyone […]
