steve wrote:I think he has become inclusivist, but not universalist.
Steve,
I believe you are correct. While researching the term "inclusivism" I found some interesting points on this topic in wikipedia. Here are some exerpts.
--Jesus said, [Paraphrase]"He who is not against me is for me." [Original]"for whoever is not against us is for us." (NIV) Gospel of Mark 9:40.
--Jesus said, "Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but those who blaspheme against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven." Luke 12:10.
--The Apostle Peter wrote of God: "He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)
--"That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world." John 1:9 Similarly Titus 2:11 says, "The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men."
--God loved entire world and Jesus came to save it, not condemn it (John 3:16, 17.)
--An aphorism common in some Christian circles: "All Truth is God's Truth."
--Some Evangelical scholars believe that God judges all people based on their response to the Holy Spirit, and that just as Romans 2:14-15 shows that God is righteous by condemning people who violate natural law as they understand it, it also shows His mercy in forgiving those who have lived up to all the light they have had. Thus, it is possible for people to be saved through hearing the Gospel message of forgiveness of sins by Christ, even if they have not been instructed by Christian missionaries.
--Psalm 19 presents general revelation, as exemplified by the sky and sun, in parallel with conversion. Verses 1-6 show the transcending of the barriers of language and geography. Verses 7-8 declare that the internalizing of the perfect law of the LORD can be efficacious in "converting the soul…making wise the simple…rejoicing the heart…enlightening the eyes."
--Melchizedek (Genesis 14:18) and the Wise Men (Matthew 2:1-13) are examples of people who believed in God even though they were not part of the covenant people.
--Cornelius already believed in God before Peter came and preached to him (Acts 10:1-48.) "Then Peter opened his mouth and said: 'In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality, But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him." Acts 10:34-35
--The parable of the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25:31-46) portrays the judgment of the nations as being based on each individual's compassion on others, not on their religious background. The blessings pronounced upon the poor in spirit, the meek, the merciful, the peacemakers, those hungering for righteousness, etc. (Matthew 5:3-10) can also be understood as applying without reference to religion. Similarly, James 1:27 says, "Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world."
--Paul said that the Greeks had been worshiping God without knowing it. He said that in their semi-enlightened condition, they might grope for God and find Him, since He was not far from each one of us. Their own poets had declared that they were God's offspring. This shows that He was somewhat known to them. Acts 17:23-28
--Even though Jesus told the Samaritan woman that “salvation is of the Jews” (John 4:22), when an expositor of the Jewish laws asked Him, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?,” Jesus told the story of the “good Samaritan” and said, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:25-37
--And he said, "Therefore, as through one man's offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life." Romans 5:18
--Supporters of inclusivism include C. S. Lewis, John Wesley, Clark Pinnock,[1] Karl Rahner, John E. Sanders, Terrance L. Tiessen (Reformed) and Robert Brush (contributor to the Arminian Magazine). While Billy Graham faithfully preached "salvation by faith in Christ alone" throughout his 60 year ministry as an evangelist, he has recently made controversial comments that border on inclusivism (but he does not like to refer to it by the term, because he is concerned that many people mean universalism when they refer to inclusivism).
--This doctrine is held by Roman Catholics and Seventh-day Adventists.
Todd
