From: mike@sojurn.lns.pa.us (Mike J. Sangrey)
Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian
Subject: Re: Is Christianity the only way?
Date: 22 Dec 92 08:30:50 GMT
Organization: Humble Pilgrimage Palace

michael@gibbs.oit.unc.edu (Michael George Williams) writes:

>I am by all means a Christian, and I am not about to attempt to undermine
>Christianity in any way, but I have a point to raise about the debate over
>whether Christianity is the only true way to salvation and eternal life. 
>My question is this:  What about persons who were never exposed to
>Christianity and never even had the opportunity to be?  ...
>The point is, I don't see how anyone can propose that they
>will never be received into the Kingdom of God on the basis of not having
>been a Christian if they never had the opportunity in the first place.  In
>my opinion, Heaven and God are big enough to include a lot of different
>people and ideas, even if they do not completely fit our idea of what is
>"right" or the only way....

  Dear group, please consider:

  "Just as it is written:  `Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.'  What
  then shall we say?  Is God unjust?  Not at all!  For he says to
  Moses, 'I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have
  compassion on whom I have compassion.'  It does not, therefore,
  depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy.  ...
  Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he
  hardens whom he wants to harden.  One of you will say to me:
  `Then why does God still blame us?  For who resists his will?'"

  Note the answer is not a theological answer, but a very direct,
  pointed question, aimed at the person who does not have a submissive
  attitude to the sovereign God.  In fact, it could easily be
  argued that Paul doesn't really answer the question, certainly
  not theologically.  His answer immediately deals with the hearer's
  relationship with the Holy.

  Continuing:

  "But who are you, O man, to talk back to God?  `Shall what is formed
  say to him who formed it, "Why did you make me like this?"'  Does
  not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay
  some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?  What if
  God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with
  great patience the objects of his wrath -- prepared for destruction?
  What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the
  objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory -- even
  us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the
  Gentiles?"  (Romans 9:13-24)

  We can wrestle for a long time, but our Lord knows that this
  discussion has gone on for two millenia; and it will, if I may
  say so, continue "till he comes."  The above quote must be
  considered when coming to a conclusion concerning the fate of
  those who have not heard.  God is King.  He has determined _the_
  _Way_of_salvation_.  He has determined the means.  He has
  determined the result.

  I do not apologize for my boldness.  If I've "offended" you, my
  reader, then please consider whether it was really I who "offended." 
  Or is it the question, "Who are you, O man, to talk back to God?"
  Please!, seriously consider that question.  I am, I hope, open
  to your exhortation, and even rebuke; but it is guarenteed that
  our Lord is not open to be questioned by any rebellious heart,
  whether yours, mine or an angel's.

  "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in?
  And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not
  heard?  And how can they hear without someone preaching to
  them?  And how can they preach unless they are sent?"
  (Romans 10:14-15a)

  We had better send.  We had better preach.  They had better
  hear.  They had better believe.  They had better call.  God has
  been pleased to use the foolishness of what is preached to save
  those who believe. (I Cor 1:21)  Without the communication of
  the Word of God, there can be no salvation.  A potential hearer
  is potentially saved.  What an horrendously disasterious
  situation to be in!

  If someone fails to understand how God can hold an individual
  accountable who has not heard the Gospel, then that someone
  fails to understand how guilty we really are.  You want proof of
  our guiltiness?  Name me one time in history, or one place on this
  planet, where death hasn't reigned.  (study Romans 5:12-14)  Our
  connection to Adam is enough to send us to hell.  Without even
  breathing a sinful breath, we are still guilty.  Praise the
  Lord that the gift is not like the trespass, for "those who
  receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of
  righeousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ"
  (Romans 5:17)

  "Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of
  God!  How unsearchable his judgements, and his paths beyond 
  tracing out!  Who has known the mind of the Lord?  Or who has
  been his counselor?  Who has ever given to God that God should
  repay him?  For from him and through him and to him are all
  things.  To him be the glory forever!  Amen."
  (Romans 11:33-36)

  mike@sojurn.lns.pa.us

  "Holding tenaciously to the truth with an open hand."
	    A dear friend, now one of the great cloud of witnesses;
	    who has met the author and perfecter of our faith.
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