The following quote is repeated from FAQ #4: "According
to this kind of theology, we ought to think of being saved as the
normal outcome and being rejected as the exception, and not the other
way around. I think we have erred in thinking of condemnation as the
ordinary and salvation as the extraordinary outcome of the history
of divine redemption" (Dr. Clark Pinnock, 1987). I noted: "'This
kind of theology' is a rather accurate description of Biblical Universalism."
In FAQ #4 I noted: "For nearly four decades I have
been looking for, and asking others to look for, evidence of 'this
kind of theology.' If any of my readers or if Dr. Pinnock can provide
evidence of "this kind of theology" being published before
1980 I would be ever so grateful to hear about it. I will present
all such evidence in a future posting." I herewith do so.
Response
of Dr. Clark Pinnock
Pinnock graciously replied by way of a 15-minute telephone
call. We renewed our acquaintance. He knew of no earlier published
example of "this kind of theology." He asked to be added
to my mailing list and suggested I ask this question of Dr. Roger
Olson, professor at Truett Theological Seminary.
Response of Dr. Roger Olson
Dr. Roger Olson, whose book The Story of Christian Theology
won Christianity Today's 2000 Book Award, responded by email saying:
"I do not know of any systematic theology prior to your own publications
that spells out the nature of salvation as you do. But I hear distant
echoes of it (foreshadowings, adumbrations) in Athanasius and perhaps
other early church fathers" (Quoted with permission.).
Dr.
John Sanders
Another considerate reader called my attention to "The
Perennial Debate" (Christianity Today, May 14, 1990). This article
by Dr. John Sanders is an overview of the way various theological
perspectives have wrestled with the question of salvation for those
who have never heard of Christ. I count 21 different perspectives
or nuances in Sander's article beginning with the early church to
the present day. None of them reflect the approach of Biblical Universalism.
Check this out for yourself at www.christianityonline.com/. In the
"Quick Inquiry" section type "Perennial Debate"
and Sander's overview comes up.
I sent a copy of FAQ #4 to Dr. Sanders. He responded:
"I'm not familiar with anyone who has gone at this in the way
you frame it. That does not mean no one has. It would be interesting
to look at the early fathers with this in mind, but I've not time
for it now." Dr. Sanders is Associate Professor of Philosophy
and Religion at Huntington College in Huntington, Indiana.
Rev.
James L. Vanderlaan
Another reply came from the Rev. James L. Vanderlaan,
Director of Disability Concerns for CRPM, and is quoted with his permission:
"Dear
Neal, Thank you for your persistence in advancing the perspective
you hold. I personally am not sure that your position is demanded
by biblical exegesis, but I do think it is permitted by sound exegesis
and I myself hold it. I remember being part of a Bible discussion
group back in the sixties and proposing roughly what you later wrote.
(I am not claiming to be your predecessor.) One of the people there
then said, 'What is the motivation for mission work in that case?'
My answer was 'How can God tolerate our leaving people in their despair
a moment longer when he has given us such good news for them?' May
the Lord renew your strength! Jim Vanderlaan"
An alert reader brought this interesting quote from C.S. Lewis to
my attention:
"We do know that no man can be saved except through Christ; we
do not know that only those who know Him can be saved through
Him." (C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, p65,
Macmillan, NY, 1952)
Nevertheless, there is no published evidence that the
perspective of Biblical Universalism (Evangelical Inclusivism) has
been advocated or refuted before 1980. This, in itself, proves nothing.
However, it suggests that "framing the subject" as I have
warrants being researched.
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Contact the Author,
Neal Punt at: whenindoubt3@charter.net
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2002 by Northland Books. Box 63, Allendale MI 49401. Unlimited permission
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