"POST OFFICE" INCLUSIVENESS

by Phil Roberts                                                                                         Vol. IX, No. 7, August 1996

Universalism is the traditional but heretical view that teaches that all people, whether or not they believe in Jesus Christ as Savior, will be received into heaven when they die. The Bible, however, asserts that eternal salvation is in Christ alone and that today – not eternity – is the time and place for decision.

With the passing of centuries and with the diminishing of the Bible's influence in much of church and culture, matters have become more complicated and confusing. Consequently, the modem form of the old heresy of universalism is inclusivism.

This view, while acknowledging the uniqueness of the person and work of Jesus, argues that devout people of other faiths will be accepted by God. The argument says that, although they did not trust Christ, they would have trusted Him if they had been given an equal and valid opportunity to trust Him. Roman Catholic theologian Karl Rahner even speaks of "anonymous Christians." There are, he claims, people who worshipped other expressions of God or gods, but who at death are accepted by God because of His grace as shown to us through the work and life of Jesus.

It is an interesting argument, reflecting the view that with the present state of evil in the world, most people could not accept universalism. After all, could we expect a Hitler or a Stalin to be in heaven? So the more insidious, but nonetheless deadly, influence of inclusivism is slowly gaining acceptance.

The biblical response to inclusivism is clear:

1. Jesus Christ is the only Savior of the world. Jesus' claims to Deity and the fact of His historical saving work demonstrate His unique role as the only Savior.

2. An explicit and exact understanding of the gospel is essential for salvation. Even though Cornelius' prayers were heard by God, Peter was sent to share the good news with him. If his piety had been sufficient, would God have sent an evangelist to him?

3. A conscious and clear faith in Jesus Christ is necessary for salvation. To be saved, we must believe that God raised Jesus from the dead, then confess that He is Lord. It would be hard for an "anonymous Christian" to meet those prerequisites.

Evangelism – the personal sharing of the gospel of Jesus Christ – is the only means for people to come to the truth of salvation. Our job is to share it. Neither universalism nor inclusivism substitutes for grace.

An anecdote told by my father, a pastor in Kentucky, accentuates this thought. One Monday at the post office, he met a woman who attended his church. She said, "Pastor, I have a question. Isn't going to heaven like going to the Post Office? We all come from different directions, but we end up at the same place."

My father answered, "That's an interesting thought, but there's one problem with it. When I die, I don't want to go to the Post Office."

Jesus Christ and His saving work through the cross and resurrection are the means that God has chosen for our salvation. They form the gospel and provide the cleansing from sin and the justification of the sinner in necessary preparation for entry into heaven.

[Phil Roberts at the time the above was written was Director, Interfaith Witness Department, HMB. He is now President, Mid-Western Baptist Theological Seminary. This article is reprinted from Evangelism Today, Vol. 2,1995.]