Salvation Outside the Church?

August 7, 2014 by  
Filed under Dialogues

 

Garrett Beckstrom‎New Apologetics
January 1, 2013 · 

Are those who are not Catholic allowed in the Kingdom of God? Will they be sent to Hell or can they be purged in Purgatory?

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  • New Apologetics The Church teaches that God is just, and therefore it follows that those who desire God (even if they do not know him or his Church) are *sure* to have him. This applies even to atheists and agnostics who disavow religious ideology, but (by God’s grace) strive to live a good life. The truth and goodness they seek will (because of God’s justice) be rewarded with the highest truth and the highest good. From the Second Vatican Council:

    “Those also can attain to salvation who through no fault of their own do not know the Gospel of Christ or His Church, yet sincerely seek God and moved by grace strive by their deeds to do His will as it is known to them through the dictates of conscience. Nor does Divine Providence deny the helps necessary for salvation to those who, without blame on their part, have not yet arrived at an explicit knowledge of God and with His grace strive to live a good life. Whatever good or truth is found amongst them is looked upon by the Church as a preparation for the Gospel. She knows that it is given by Him who enlightens all men so that they may finally have life. But often men, deceived by the Evil One, have become vain in their reasonings and have exchanged the truth of God for a lie, serving the creature rather than the Creator. Or some there are who, living and dying in this world without God, are exposed to final despair. Wherefore to promote the glory of God and procure the salvation of all of these, and mindful of the command of the Lord, “Preach the Gospel to every creature”, the Church fosters the missions with care and attention. (Lumen Gentium, quoting Pius XII)
    January 1, 2013 at 1:58pm · Like · 3
  • New Apologetics Gareth Northam Do you agree that those who do not know his name will be saved by him if they love what is true and good?
    January 4, 2013 at 5:46pm · Like · 3
  • Paul Cameron so if we are good, we go to heaven ?? that would leava a WHOLE LOT of us out? dont u think?
    January 6, 2013 at 12:26am · Like
  • Gareth Northam No I don’t believe that those who do not know His name will be saved. Jesus tells us that He is the only way! That means all other ways are closed. The way through the Church, whether catholic, baptist, anglican, pentecostal etc is closed. The way through doing good deeds is closed. The way through mohamed I’d closed. The way through Mary and the dead saints is closed. The way through obeying the Law is closed. JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY. (Jn14:6)
    January 6, 2013 at 4:46am · Like · 1
  • Roi Christoffer Jocson Peralta so God isn’t just. if my ancestors never even heard of that Jesus you talk about then they’re condemned to a hell they didnt even know exsisted..
    January 6, 2013 at 8:16am · Like
  • Owen N. Martinez-Sandin Absolutely yes; all persons in humanity have the right to be saved, including yhose who have not had the oportunity of hearing about Christ and His message of salvation, because God is just and merciful. The key is the practicing of “good faith” and following basic morality and ethics, and looking for God as well as possible under the particular circumstances, that may include jews, muslims, protestants, indus, atheists, etc. Owen N. Martinez.
    January 6, 2013 at 11:46am · Like
  • New Apologetics Gareth Northam You wrote: “No I don’t believe that those who do not know His name will be saved. Jesus tells us that He is the only way! That means all other ways are closed.”

    We reply: We agree that Jesus is the only way. However, your response does not defend this. Rather, it says that an intellectual agreement to a set of *ideas* about Jesus is the only way. We would respond that this is the same spirit of “religion” which you have rightly rejected in other areas.

    Have we misunderstood your position? It seems that you are saying that those who (through no fault of their own) have not heard about Jesus (even though they are seeking truth) will be eternally tortured by a God of perfect “love”. Could you please clarify?
    January 8, 2013 at 9:44am · Like · 3
  • Curtis Smith read the gospel of John chapter 6
    January 10, 2013 at 3:38am · Like
  • New Apologetics Curtis Smith Are you Catholic? It seems that your response is intended to support the idea that those who do not know Christ by name will not be saved. If that position is yours, then you have misunderstood John 6, and have adopted a position contrary to the teaching of the Catholic Church.
    January 10, 2013 at 11:20am · Like · 2