Inclusivism

Dr. Couch, what do you think of inclusivism? ANSWER: This is the view that says all beliefs lead to salvation. And of course, this is certainly dead wrong, and it is anti-biblical! Christ made it clear when He said: "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25-26).    He also said: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father but through Me" (14:6). Between each of the major nouns is the conjunction "and" which is separating "the way," "the truth," and "the life." This makes each independent and standing alone. Also, the article "the" is placed in front of each of the nouns. This makes these nouns absolutely definite! "I am THE way" and there is no other WAY!    It is impossible to squeeze any other person, system, or ism, up in front of Christ! He is the absolute. No other religious system will work!    The Lord also used the definite personal pronoun: "I" or the Greek word "ego." In other words: "I" and no other person is capable of offering this salvation! He also used the simple Greek verb "I am" in the present tense. Or, "I just exist presently as the One who is THE (Only) WAY!"    The last part of the verse also reads: "No one IS PRESENTLY COMING Toward the Father if not through (by means of) Me!"    The issue is settled!    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch

Inclusivism and Preaching Christ

Dr. Couch, I believe Romans 10:13-14 indicates pagans are lost, so then we should preach Christ to them, right? Otherwise, why not let them be saved by some other way. What do you think of inclusivism? ANSWER:  These verses are looking at the lost from the earthly perspective. And yes, they cannot be saved without accepting Christ, and they cannot hear of Him without a "preacher" ("proclaimer"). This does not negate the doctrine of absolute predestination and election. These verses in Romans are giving us the subjective or the human perspective. If you want to fully understand the doctrine of predestination you need to study Ephesians 1:3-14. Read it carefully and slowly. Notice that "belief" is not mentioned because Paul is taking us up to heaven to observe the Divine perspective on salvation.    Remember my little saying, God is absolutely 100% sovereign and man is 100% responsible. I really cannot understand this but this is what the Bible proclaims from Genesis to Revelation. Paul points out in Romans 1 that men are responsible for seeing God in nature, but even with that revelation, they still refuse to come to Him. Paul is not suggesting that they can be saved by seeing God in nature but his point is that they do not even go past that revelation. They still refuse to believe in Him no matter how great or small the knowledge they have of Him.    Paul's conclusion on the subject is important: He writes "There is none righteous, not even one; there is none who understands, there is none who seeks after God; all have turned aside, together they have become useless; there is none who does good, thee is not even one" (Rom. 3:10-12). This comes under the heading of  Total Depravity! In some ways 1 Corinthians 2:14 is even stronger. "The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for these things are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually understandable." Thus mankind is really cut off from God and does not wish to seek Him!    I am not sure what you mean by inclusivism. Please explain.    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch