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Dorothy Perry
wrote:
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Hello,
I have a Bible-quoting sister who believes that all non-Christians
are not going to Heaven.
She says there are Scripture passages to back her statements and if I don't
believe it,
I am not a
Bible believer.
I thought that Catholics, not being fundamentals, were more accepting
of other religions and didn't condemn others.
I would appreciate some advice.
Thanks,
Dorothy Perry
Florida
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{
How do I reply to my Bible-quoting sister who believes all non-Christians
are not going to Heaven? }
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Mary Ann
replied:
Hi Dorothy,
All salvation comes through Jesus Christ, but that is not the same as
saying that one must know and accept Jesus Christ to be saved.
Christ is
the incarnate Word of God, who is the pattern of the universe, and the
one through whom we are made. Those who follow the Word of God engraved
in their hearts (the natural law) and seek truth and goodness the best
they can, are certainly following Christ in the only way they can, and
they can be saved.
Those who through no fault of their own do not know
God or His Revelation in Christ can be saved because of what Christ accomplished.
I hope that helps.
Mary Ann
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Eric replied:
Hi Dorothy,
Regarding your Bible believing sister, I would add that it is important
to quote Scripture when addressing your sister. Have her read Romans 2:14-16;
here it says:
14 Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things
required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they
do not have the law, since 15 they show that the requirements of the law
are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness,
and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them. 16 This will take
place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ,
as my gospel declares."
Romans 2:14-16
What this means is that the Gentiles — those who do not have the
revelation of God — do by nature, things required by the law — they
can be saved. He goes on to say in verse 26,
"If those who are not circumcised keep the law's requirements,
will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised?"
In other words, by analogy if those who haven't explicitly accepted
Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior act as if they did, God will regard
them as if they did accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
The verses in Scripture, to which your sister is probably referring,
are in reference to those who hear the Gospel. It would not be just for
God to categorically condemn everyone in regions of Africa farthest from the Gospel or everyone who
has never heard, or had the opportunity to hear, the Gospel.
[God] "wants all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the
truth."
(1
Timothy 2:4)
Christ came:
"to save the world, not condemn it."
(John 3:17)
Nevertheless, someone who has heard the Gospel, understood it, and willfully
and knowingly rejected it, cannot be saved.
While it is possible for someone who is not a believer in Christ to
be saved, it is more difficult — perhaps much more difficult. It's important
to proclaim the Gospel so that all will have sure access to the saving
grace of Christ. Just as someone who is alone in the forest might be able
to survive, it would nonetheless be much more likely for them to do so
if you put them in a house in front of a table of food.
We must avoid indifferentism, which teaches that it doesn't matter what
religion someone belongs to; they are all the same. This is categorically
not true.
Eric
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Bob replied:
Dorothy,
(Make sure to have your Bible when you read this and look up the verses.)
Acts 4:12 says that there is no Savior except Jesus. You can agree with
your sister that nobody gets to Heaven but by Him. Then ask her what she
would say to a Christian couple who just had a newborn child die prematurely
or as an infant.
- Is the child saved?
- How?
The child didn't
make a personal confession of faith.
- Where does the Bible say they
are saved?
- At what point do they become unsaved if they are saved as
a child but not as an adult?
- Where is her point of reason?
- Where is that
in the Bible?
The point is, the Bible doesn't always give us the particulars on every
situation. Formulating a theological foundation requires an authority
that is consistent with the teaching of Jesus as handed on to us in His
Church. You can explain the Catholic view is more consistent with true
Christian charity, but realistic in it's demands.
"To whom much is
given, much is expected." (Luke 12:48)
If she is willing to admit the possibility that the child could be saved
by Jesus without even knowing He saved her, but simply by His
grace, then she might be able to see that His Mercy stretches in ways we
cannot comprehend. Have her reflect on 1
Timothy 2:4 — God wills
all men to be saved, and on 1 Timothy 4:10 — God is the savior of
all, especially those who believe.
A summary:
Jesus is the Only Savior; everyone who is saved is saved by Him. He
wants all to be saved, but some do reject His grace. Others receive His
grace willingly. Leave it to God to know who is who. (cf. Matthew 7:21 and also, 1 Corinthians 4:3)
Peace,
Bob Kirby
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John replied:
Hi Dorothy,
The Catholic Church, which is the Bible believing Church, has always understood
that salvation is open to all men, and all men are saved in and through
Jesus Christ.
You might want to point you sister to Matthew Chapters 24-25. The scene is
the judgment of the nations. Notice that it does not say:
- the Church will
be gathered, or
- Christians will be gathered
rather it says the nations
shall be gathered and judged so this is not a judgment of believers.
Jesus separates the sheep from the goats and tells the sheep,
"When
I was hungry you gave me to eat" and so forth. (Matthew 25:35)
The sheep then ask: "When
did we feed you Lord"? (Matthew 25:37-39)
It is as if they are asking: Who are you Lord?
If they were Bible believers, they wouldn't ask this question because
they would know this text in Matthew!! . . . Wouldn't they?
Jesus responds by saying, What you did for the least of my brothers, you
did unto me. (Matthew 25:45) Hence, God judges people on the basis of the grace and knowledge
they were given. Now if someone knows the Gospel to be true and rejects
it, then they are certainly in jeopardy of damnation but that is for
God to judge.
We know that we are called to preach the Gospel, lead people to Christ and His Church. Nevertheless, we acknowledge that God saves anyone who
responds to His grace. That grace,
in some instances, is exposure to the fullness
of truth which subsists in the Catholic Church.
In other instances, some
could be saved having never heard the name Jesus Christ, let alone understand
the Gospel. Nevertheless, in every single instance, salvation comes in
and through the person of Jesus Christ, by grace. No one will be saved
by:
- their own dead works
- nor will they earn Heaven by their own human efforts
- nor will they be saved because they followed another religion
It is
only in and through Jesus Christ that man can be saved. For there is
one name given under Heaven, among men whereby we can saved, that name
is Jesus Christ. (Acts Chapter 4).
Hope this helps,
John
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Dorothy replied:
HI guys,
Thanks for all the information and the Scripture quotes.
Now all I have to do is pray on how to present this to her!
Dorothy
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