Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!usc!apple!sun-barr!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: harling@pictel.uucp (Dan Harling) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: Non-Christians in Heaven (was: Original sin of infants) Message-ID: Date: 13 May 91 06:04:20 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: PictureTel Corporation Lines: 30 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu I think this depends on what it means "to need" Christ for salvation. If it means "to have explicit, theological knowledge of," then I believe that this is a form of gnosticism; theology is a human invention which we use to try to understand God (just as we use physical sciences to try to understand the material universe), and certainly such formal knowledge should not be required of everyone who hopes for the Kingdom of God. If it means "to have one's sins borne by Christ," then I would have to agree with you. Christ's death is sufficient for all sins; the only reason ANYBODY can be saved BY ANY MEANS is because Christ paid our debt. If it were possible for one to be saved without needing Christ's atoning sacrifice, then His death was for nought. These two interpretations make all the difference in the world. The real issue should be, "Can a person be saved without being told (presumably by another human) about Jesus?" Or, read another way, "Is knowledge of Christian theology a prerequisite of salvation?" If creation itself proclaims God's Glory, so that all men are without excuse, how would you answer this question? In Christ, ______________________________________________________________________ Daniel A. Harling PictureTel, Inc. Rockport, MA Peabody, MA Opinions created and propagated by Daniel A. Harling. Reproduction and transmission is permitted without written consent, provided this notice remains affixed. All other rights reserved. Void where prohibited by law. So there.