What is Christian Inclusivism?
In Christianity, inclusivism offers the biblical answer to the question of who goes to heaven and why. It holds that while the death and resurrection of Jesus is the only way for people to get to heaven, good people from other cultures and religions can still be saved through Christ. This is not universalism that teaches everyone will go to heaven. Many inclusivist theologians may be hopeful that this will be the case, but also recognize that Jesus taught that hell exists or at least the idea of a hell like place and did so for good reason. Some people may not be motivated to live an honorable life without incentive if they think they'll go to heaven regardless of how they live. Inclusivism is also not advocating for radical religious pluralism that tends to say all religions are true. All truth is God's truth and there is certainly truth in all religions, but we can't say that all religions are true when many teach conflicting views on creation and the afterlife. The beauty of a religiously pluralist society doesn't necessitate that all religions be true, just that we respect the belief's of others. Inclusivism is an essential component to having authentic love and care for your neighbor. After all, how can we truly love someone if we believe God doesn't care about them, condemning them to eternal hell simply because they are unaware of the true gospel?
What happens to those who never hear the Gospel, or to those who hear an exclusive gospel?
"‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
- Jesus (Matthew 25:40)
"For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother, sister and mother.”
- Jesus (Matthew 12:50)
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven."
- Jesus (Matthew 7:21)
Hugh Jackman on Exclusivist Christianity
Hugh Jackman shares his faith struggle in this wonderfully open interview in 2007. This clip highlights the destructive nature of exclusive Christianity from his personal story that I believe many can relate to.
Video link here.
How Can Jesus be The Only Way?
This video by Reasonable Faith features the work of philosopher and theologian Dr. William Lane Craig and aims to provide in the public arena an intelligent, articulate, and uncompromising yet gracious Christian perspective on the most important issues concerning the truth of the Christian faith today.
We do not support all of their views but appreciate their work.
Here's the link to their YouTube channel.
The Problem of Those Who Have Never Heard of Christ
When Christians claim that Jesus is the only way to God, an objection is often raised: If Jesus is the only way to God, what about those who’ve never heard of Jesus? Is God unfair? Are some people just unlucky - born at the wrong time and place in history? They can’t possibly be saved … or can they? This brief animation addresses these objections to Christian particularism in a way that affirms divine justice and compassion as well as human free choice.
