What About Those Who Have Never Heard?: Three Views on the Destiny of the Unevangelized

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Gabriel J. Fackre, Ronald H. Nash, John Sanders
InterVarsity Press, Jun 7, 1995 - Religion - 168 pages
  • Voted one of Christianity Today's 1996 Books of the Year
What is the fate of those who die never hearing the gospel? Do Hindus, Jews, agnostics and others who do not profess faith in Christ really suffer damnation after death? These and similar questions have long been contemplated by people from every religious persuasion and every walk of life. But in a culture of increasing diversity and growing doubt in the existence of "objective truth," it seems ever more pressing. In this book three scholars present the span of evangelical conviction on the destiny of the unevangelized. Ronald Nash argues the restrictivist position, that receptive knowledge of Jesus Christ in this life is necessary to salvation. Gabriel Fackre advocates divine perseverance, with the expectation that those who die unevangelized receive an opportunity for salvation after death. And John Sanders sets forth the inclusivist case--asserting that though God saves people only through the work of Jesus Christ, some may be saved even if they do not know about Christ. As each scholar presents his own case and responds to strengths and weaknesses of differing positions, readers are treated to a lively and informative debate. What About Those Who Have Never Heard? is a truly helpful book on one of today's--and every day's--most crucial questions.

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Contents

Inclusivism
21
Response to Sanders
56
Response to Sanders
62
Divine Perseverance
71
Response to Fackre
96
Response to Fackre
102
Restrictivism
107
Response to Nash
140
Response to Nash
150
Notes
157
Suggestions for Further Reading
167
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Page 107 - That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord" and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Page 128 - And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
Page 28 - O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killing the prophets and stoning those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not ! Behold, your house is forsaken and desolate.
Page 80 - For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person — though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.
Page 107 - For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. '""Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Page 25 - Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Page 107 - And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
Page 81 - Who will have all men to be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth ;
Page 133 - Lord, Lord," shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, "Lord, Lord...
Page 82 - Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead...

About the author (1995)

Gabriel Fackre is Samuel Abbot Professor of Christian Theology Emeritus at Andover Newton Theological School in Newton Centre, Massachusetts. He is the author of The Christian Story.

Ronald H. Nash (1936-2006) served as a professor of religion and philosophy for many years, teaching at Western Kentucky University, Reformed Theological Seminary and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. His many books include The Gospel and the Greeks, Life's Ultimate Questions and Is Jesus the Only Savior?

John Sanders (Th.D., University of South Africa) is professor of religion at Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas. He has edited and written several books, including No Other Name: An Investigation into the Destiny of the Unevangelized. Three of his previous book projects have received a Christianity Today Book Award.

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