If I were asked what my favorite thing about this blog is, and why (after 8 long months) I would choose to return to it, my answer would be short and to the point.
I love the conversations.
Of all the things seminary has instilled in me, an abiding love for theological musings and challenging dialogue easily rises to the fore. I am enthralled by the keen theologians in my blogging midst, whose perspectives expand and challenge my own, and whose (sometimes divergent) viewpoints force me to examine with greater depth those things which I have simply assimilated. Likewise, the occasional visit from those beyond the ring of Christian orthodoxy provide me with questions which may otherwise go unasked, leading to a deeper and more fully developed Christianity.
The other day, I encountered such a visit on a guest article I wrote in response to the recent tragedy at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. The responder was articulate and polite, dutifully employing his rhetorical scalpel, and asking the questions which cut with surgical precision through to some of the serious challenges underlying the hope we have for a new heaven and new earth finally devoid of evil.
This was a portion of one of his comments:
To me, part of your reaction to this was a reminder that Christ showed that the pain and suffering in this world is not permanent and that a newly restored world will someday come about where none will suffer.
If I have read this correctly then let me now ask, who enters into heaven and do any become condemned to hell?
I ask because if this applies only to Christians then it still seems that there is a problem that is deeper than the one of why a good, moral, omniscient, omnipotent God allows evil in this world.
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
It’s a good question. If a world will come about where evil is abolished, then what is hell? If the only ones who will experience the encumbent reality of an existence devoid of pain are Christians – slightly more than a third of the global population at present – then what hope do we have for the vast majority of humanity? Even worse, what does this say of a God who is willing to surrender two-thirds of the human race to perpetual torment, when many of them are so condemned merely for being born in a time and place where they never have the opportunity to respond to the Gospel? Oh yes… and how does this, in any way, provide hope in the midst of human suffering?
I don’t want to devote this article to unpacking my theology on judgment and eternity – I already did this in my article on hell. I do, however, want to take a moment and look at the lingering 66% of the population, and offer some thoughts on how we wrestle with their fate.
Jesus is fairly clear in the gospels. In John 14:6, he says “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Many Christians read this and see in it a proof text for exclusivism. That is, the gates of heaven open for Christians, and Christians exclusively. But is this what it actually says?
I am reminded of a story shared with me by my Professor Emeritus of evangelism, reflecting an one of his many, many missionary journeys through China. During one such expedition, their car broke down and they had to make a call. Going to a nearby house to ask for the phone, they were greeted warmly by a little old lady and welcomed inside. Following the call, they sat waiting for whoever was to come pick them up, gathered around a table and sharing a bowl of soup with that dear woman. In the process, they began to chat, and the conversation naturally led to Jesus. The two missionaries shared with her the person and work of Jesus Christ and, when they were finished, the lady uttered a single sentence which stunned them both.
“So that’s who He is.”
If salvation is rooted in Christ – and I believe it is – then surely God is capable of allowing all people to respond to the person, even if not the name, of Jesus.
There is a difference between following Jesus and following theology. That is, redemption is rooted in the person and work of Christ, regardless of how accurately we understand who He is and what He did. What if instead of following Jesus, I submit to the lordship of Yeshua (Jesus’ name in Hebrew)? What if I yield to the lordship of Iesu (Jesus’ name in Greek)? How about Yssa (Jesus’ name in Arabic – the way it appears in the Quran)?
What if, like the lady in China, I don’t know His name at all, but somehow have been given the opportunity to respond to the grace of one whose work is not dependent on who we are, but rather who He is? Can God reach beyond the veil of orthodoxy to draw people to Him, even if their theology is grievously flawed?
I think He can. In fact, I think He must. If salvation is rooted in Christ – and I believe it is – then surely God is capable of allowing all people to respond to the person, even if not the name, of Jesus.
Don’t misunderstand me. I believe that good theology brings freedom, and freedom carries with it joy, and peace, and patience, and spiritual growth. I also believe that bad theology can be incredibly harmful. However, I think the gospels paint the picture of a God who reaches out to the lost, to the broken, to the imperfect. He does not wait for us to “get it.” Rather, He steps out of heaven and puts on flesh, walks among us, is even betrayed and crucified by the very humanity He came to rescue, and still cries out for mercy for us all from the cross. If God can do that, then surely God can breach the veil of orthodoxy to lead His children home.
What do you think? Where falls the boundaries of a saving faith?
Image Credit: Paul Bica
The Word In Context January 3, 2013 at 8:42 am
I agree with what you are saying here. God can and will use whatever means He fancies to reveal Himself to His creation. He has even used a donkey, and has warned that, if necessary, “the stones will cry out” (Luke 19:40). The thing is, God already existed and was known when He chose the family of Abraham to be His people. He did not choose them to be an exclusive club, but He chose them to bless the world in His name (Genesis 22:18). In this same way, when Jesus chose those who served with Him, He was not calling them to be an exclusive club. He called them, and in fact all followers, simply to reveal who He is to the world (Matthew 24:14). Yet, to truly be a witness to the world for Christ, it is important to understand that God constantly reveals Himself, and has only called us to bring clarity where there is confusion. (Consider Acts 14:7-17).
Judy January 3, 2013 at 10:35 am
Only God knows the boundaries of a saving faith. Having said that, I also believe the truth of Scripture that Jesus is the way. Perhaps the problem comes when we try to define the way that Jesus is the Way:). The best picture I’ve heard for managing this tension is the idea of a large field with a fence around the perimeter and a well in the center. We can either argue about the boundaries of orthodoxy at the fence or sit by the Well, Jesus, in the center. “Fence” discussions take us away from the well. If we’re all at the well, the fence will take care of itself. Thanks for a thought provoking post.
T. E. Hanna January 3, 2013 at 12:01 pm
I like that analogy, Judy, and I agree. I think that Christian orthodoxy (the well) is a source of freedom and abundant life, and I will always argue that the Christian faith has the truest understanding of God, reality, and the human condition. The underlying issue, however, is whether that fence cuts off those who have never heard the gospel or heard about it in such a way as to push them away. If it does, can we still claim a good and loving God? I think we want to try to draw all people to the well, but we can also trust that God is a good god, who still bubbles little springs up in the lives of those who do not even know that the well exists.
Judy January 3, 2013 at 2:20 pm
Maybe the whole idea of a fence between “insiders” and “outsiders” is problematic. God makes clear that he can reveal himself to anyone in any way he chooses, so I do trust that, as you so well put, that he will “bubble…up in the lives of those who do not even know that the well exists.” It is we who erect external fences and try to determine that which we really cannot know: the state of anther’s heart. So, while I don’t want to minimize the difficulty of this underlying issue, we really will never know on this side of heaven. I agree with your focus on drawing people to the Well, for we know the truth of that, and to trust God for the rest.
Don Enevoldsen January 3, 2013 at 2:48 pm
T.E., I find my thinking on this subject follows very closely with yours. Perhaps it should be said that no one is saved by theology. They are saved by relationship, which is God revealing himself to each individual in a way that can be understood and embraced by that person. Theology has a very important place in helping us understand our experience, but theology itself is not the source of freedom, peace, etc.
Cheri-CreationScience4Kids January 3, 2013 at 3:34 pm
Love the China story. If people could find their way to God before Jesus’ birth and even the OT, e.g. Enoch and Noah, it would seem probable that the same thing can happen today.
However, there are stories of people who were open like she was who still have a life transforming experience when they learn the truth about the life and doctrine of Jesus (by any name).
For me, I try to focus on my part. I’d better get the news out as if everyone’s lives depend on it. Then, when I’ve done all I can, I rest in God’s infinite love and fairness.
The people trying to make God out as unjust remind me too much of the 3rd servant who saw the master as “austere” and ended up in outer darkness.
peaceinheaven January 3, 2013 at 8:43 pm
When Christ reveals to you there is no where else heart wise to go that’s saving faith by grace, with true repentance. If you don’t want to read and reread the Word. You need to reexamine yourself. Your life is about him first than others. You will want to be in a good Bible based church congregation with a Pastor who teaches us the Word of God is inerrant and Love is the Greatest Gift of All. Just sharing what I have experienced as I grow in my faith in Christ. God does not make bad things happen, It is corrupted men going their own way denying Christ and a deteriorating world from the beginning after the fall of Adam. Who are we to question God?
T. E. Hanna January 3, 2013 at 9:49 pm
I wonder if I might ask you two questions then…
First, is it your view that scriptural inerrancy is a necessary belief for salvation? If so, why?
Secondly, is it your stance that it is wrong to question God? If so, why?
peaceinheaven January 3, 2013 at 10:54 pm
Because I believe God says in His Word he doesn’t lie and His Word is perfect and true. Revelations 22:18-19 warns anyone who adds or takes away from prophesies in this book. We are warned in advance of many false doctrines and prophets. In reading his God breathed scripture and listening to many prominent preachers and the Holy Spirit of discernment I have complete trust. I have heard many false doctrines. However; I am not the judge. God is and only he knows all men’s hearts. Who are we to question the Creator? Job was answered that way. Satan was given by God to do whatever he wanted except to kill him to break his faith. God told him I will have mercy on whom I will and compassion on whom I will have compassion. Can we ever know the mind of God and all his Glory? No, for me. The new life I have now is evidence of His Love and I have no questions over
His Sovereignty. He saved me and what he has in store for us we can’t even imagine. Just my take on what I have lived in my own depravity and what he has revealed to me. I tried to die by my own hand and he said no and brought me to him.
T. E. Hanna January 3, 2013 at 11:26 pm
You have quite a testimony by the sound of it. I have no doubt that the presence of the Spirit has wrought incredible transformation in your life. I certainly affirm that God is alive and active.
My question, however, was whether you felt that affirming Biblical inerrancy was requisite for salvation. I’m not arguing for or against inerrancy here – I may put my thoughts together on it for a future article – but I am certainly questioning whether a doctrine that is debated rather heavily throughout the Christian body is necessary to be saved. Do you think it is? If so, why? As a side note… the reference in Revelation 22 was written LONG before the New Testament was gathered into canon. Contextually, it refers specifically to the “book” of Revelation.
As far as questioning God, I find it interesting that Job questioned, and God responded with questions. Meanwhile, his friends attempted to provide answers, and these were the ones God chastised – even telling them to ask Job to pray for them. Job wasn’t criticized for asking questions, he alone was found righteous. Additionally, the Psalms are replete with questions. I think God WANTS us to ask questions. It is human nature that we are already thinking them. Asking them opens a relational correspondence with God, and does so in an honest and vulnerable way.
Just my 2c.
peaceinheaven January 4, 2013 at 12:37 am
Whether in Revelation or not prophesies are there. Some people believe we will keep living here and things will get better and better and then Jesus will come again when we are ready. Some have said we are already in the millennial kingdom and will go right into the New Jerusalem (everlasting kingdom). There is no 1000 year reign of Jesus or satan being bound. The tribes mentioned in Revelation are just symbolic and that the Jews have all lost their salvation to us the church of the living God. Some say join all religions together. We all worship the same God anyway. One World economy and religion and it is prophesied.
What I meant when I said we should not ask God why is in regards to how we want to blame him for the evil that happens. We can ask God in faith for what we need and if it is his will he will grant it. I reread a bit of Job and God does tell him how mighty he is and sovereign at the end and he repents anyway. The Lord does deal with his friends for they did not speak what is right of Him and Job did. Job was doing right in the Lord, and still The Lord is sovereign over all. When I read about Job I am sure humbled.
chiefofleast January 4, 2013 at 12:44 am
Welcome back! Provocative and well written piece here. From the testimony of Muslim missionaries dreams and visions is one of the primary ways God reaches the Middle Eastern Islamic world with the gospel. Paul tells the Romans in Acts 17 that God marks out times and places of every living being so they may in some way grope for him. Through that Romans 1 testimony of creation and our own conscience, every living soul is pursued and spoken to by God, and as a result is without excuse.
I’m thankful in my spiritual deftoneness that God refuses to shut up.
T. E. Hanna January 4, 2013 at 12:57 am
Chief! I’ve missed you! Good to see you again!
Justin January 4, 2013 at 2:14 am
I like this article and your honest approach to tough issues. Recently while talking to a relative (who by most traditional theological views would be “unsaved”) she said something like, “I just believe in what’s good and if that’s God, then that’s what I believe in.” I’ve thought a lot about her statement. She’s being quite honest and open minded with herself and her doubts. It’s kinda like saying “I believe in whatever the truth is.” But is that enough? I get worried when people draw black and white lines for saved and condemned–like the whole baptism to be saved debate. It moves us from relationship to religion. We start telling God what He can and cant do. Ultimately I think it’s up to God to have mercy on who He chooses to and up to us to share the love and mercy we’ve been given.
grantnieddu January 4, 2013 at 6:22 am
Thomas, I am curious as to whether or not your inquirer was a confessed Christian or not. The reason is that if they were a believer, then Biblical reference is certainly fine to use as a reference point for clarity of what a saving faith consists. If they are not saved, I have found, the need for extra-Biblical clues, truths or reason is strong. Thus, I enjoyed your reaching toward examples such as the woman in China. I have both used stories like these and heard so many others. It would be even more interesting to research and have these ready to be cited and used as personal, extra-Biblical, very-real testimony for those who are yet-to-be-Believers.
Also, as a side point, I am certainly glad that this conversation stayed on point and didn’t get dragged into the mire of “election.” Keep writing!
T. E. Hanna January 4, 2013 at 8:33 am
Hi Grant! I’ve been enjoying following your adventures in the Dominican. We definitely need to catch up.
The inquirer was not a Christian, he was actually a professed atheist. His questions, however, were more along the lines of asking what we believe as Christians, and how that belief can be consistent with belief in a good God. So, the response became more a manner of sharing my take on Christian theology as rooted in scripture, rather an extra-Biblical examination. That is, I felt it was important to show that the way God has revealed Himself in scripture is consistent with our observations of ethics and the world around us.