The rumor is rampant that
the Pope has said that salvation is open to all "as long as they
are good." A respondent, who has been highly critical of Evangelical Inclusiism* writes:
"I'm wondering
whether there is any parallel between the Pope's pronouncement
and Evangelical Incluskvism. How would you differentiate your perspective from that of the Pope?
Vatican
II (1962)
My Response: "I do not know what the Pope is rumored to have said. I do know
what the Fathers of Vatican Council II said when they expanded on
the "no salvation outside the church" statement as they
spoke of it in their "DOGMATIC CONSTITUTION ON THE CHURCH."
They did not speak of salvation on the basis of sinners being "good."
They spoke of a salvation by grace through faith in God as
creator.
Whatever the Pope has said or may
say, or whatever the Fathers of Vatican Council II (1962) have said,
I believe in the immediate imputation [without any additional act
on the part of human beings] of Adam's sin resulting in condemnation
for all persons (except Jesus Christ) and their being consigned to unending death.
I believe that in the same
manner, namely, by the immediate imputation [without any additional
act on the part of human beings] of Christ's righteousness resulting
in justification brings life for all persons (except those the Bible
explicitly tells us will not come to "justification that brings life."
Romans
5:18
"Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men."
The "just as" and "so also" words of Romans 5:18 (together
with the teachings of the other 'so-called' universalistic passages)
leave no other forthright interpretation of this verse within
the context of the entire Bible (see Posting #1). If it were not for the fact
that the Bible speaks of some who will not be justified, we
would have to conclude that all persons will be saved.
This is the gospel of PURE GRACE by the holy life and atoning
blood of Jesus Christ without the least hint of man's goodness
being any part of the basis of anyone's rescue from unending death..
* Evangelical Inclusivism is the teaching that all persons are elect in Christ
except those who the Bible expressly declares will be finally lost,
namely, those who ultimately reject or remain indifferent to whatever
revelation God has given of himself to them whether in nature/ conscience
or in gospel presentation.
The first four Postings in this website provide the biblical basis for the teaching of Evangelical Inclusivism.
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Contact
Neal Punt at: whenindoubt1@charter.net
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