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 Biblical
Universalism*, writes:
"I'm wondering
whether there is any parallel - that is, how the Pope's pronouncement
may fit your position. I would like your differentiation."
Vatican
II
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). 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 be justified).
Romans
5:18
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. 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 salvation.
This is a far cry from the rumors
of what the Pope has said.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
- -
* BIBLICAL
UNIVERSALISM 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.
Biblical Universalism is based upon these three biblical facts:
1) The so-called "universalistic" texts speak of a certain-to-be-realized
salvation as Calvinist have consistently maintained and they do so
in terms of all persons as Arminians have always affirmed (Posting
No. 2).
2) We must accept the so-called "universalistic" texts as written.
We may allow only those exceptions that are necessarily imposed upon
these passages from the broader context of the Scriptures as a whole
(Posting No. 3).
3) All persons, except Jesus Christ, are liable for and polluted by
the imputed sin of Adam (original sin). However, the Scriptures do
not teach or imply that anyone is consigned to eternal damnation solely
on the basis of their sin in Adam APART FROM actual, willful and persistent
sin on the part of the person so consigned (Posting No. 4).
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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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