What Is Inclusivism?

This month, the Biblical Resource Group of Ethnos360 is revising an old paper about inclusivism. What is inclusivism? I’m glad you asked.

There are four basic views regarding how those who are spiritually lost may be redeemed. They are exclusivism, universalism, pluralism, and inclusivism.

Exclusivism – Salvation is found only through faith in Jesus Christ. A person must consciously believe in His substitutionary death and resurrection to receive eternal life. We believe that this is the view taught in God’s Word when understood in its plain sense (John 14:6; Acts 4:12).

Universalism – All people will ultimately be saved, regardless of their beliefs or actions. This view contradicts Scripture (John 3:18, 36) and undermines the necessity of faith in Christ.

Pluralism – Many religions provide valid paths to God and salvation. This unbiblical view denies Christ’s exclusive role as the only way to eternal life (John 10:9).

Inclusivism – Jesus’ atoning work is the only means of salvation, but explicit faith in Him is not always necessary. Some might be saved through general revelation or sincere faith in another religion. This view diminishes the necessity of personal faith in Christ and is not supported by Scripture (Romans 10:9-17).

Most conservative Christians reject universalism and pluralism. However, some conservative Christians embrace inclusivism. The paper we are working on addresses the problems of inclusivism.

Inclusivists argue, “People groups unreached by the Gospel who have never heard about the Person and work of Jesus Christ do not need to actually hear and believe the Gospel. They can be saved by a sincere reception of whatever revelation they have such as conscience and creation.” 

They claim that a person is only responsible for the light they have. But if this were true, then the less light they have, the better. Why?

Because once they are presented with the light of the Gospel, they become responsible for accepting that light. If they reject it, they are condemned. But if they never hear the Gospel in the first place, they would not be guilty of rejecting it.

This is an extremely important topic as it relates to missions because our understanding of inclusivism directly impacts evangelism, the urgency of sharing the Gospel, and our obedience to the Great Commission.

Blessings,

Bob

* * *

Hanging in There

 

Two frogs fell into a deep cream bowl.

One was a wise and cheery soul;

The other one took a gloomy view

And bade his friend a sad adieu.

 

Said the other frog with a merry grin,

"I can't get out, but I won't give in!

I'll swim around till my strength is spent,

Then I will die all the more content."

 

And as he swam, though ever it seemed,

His struggling began to churn the cream

Until on top of pure butter he stopped

And out of the bowl he quickly hopped.

 

The moral, you ask? Oh it's easily found:

If you can't get out, just keep swimming around.

 

Hang in there!

 

 

Finding Assurance in God's Unfailing Love

We often hear that nothing in life is guaranteed. The Scriptures prove that to be untrue. God guarantees that if we trust Christ, nothing on earth or in heaven will change our eternal destiny. We are His forever.

Sadly, for the first 10 years of my Christian life I struggled with doubts about my salvation. I doubted the promises in God’s Word that He forgave me of my sins.

I am reminded of the story of Joseph and his brothers. After their father Jacob died, Joseph’s brothers feared that Joseph would seek revenge for the wrongs they had done to him. They sent a message to Joseph, begging for his forgiveness, saying, “Before your father died he commanded, saying, ‘Thus you shall say to Joseph: “I beg you, please forgive the trespass of your brothers and their sin; for they did evil to you.”’ Now, please, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of your father.” When Joseph received their message, he wept.

Joseph’s heart broke because his brothers doubted his forgiveness and love for them. He had already assured them of his forgiveness, yet they still feared retribution. This story mirrors our relationship with God. When we doubt His promises of eternal security, it breaks His heart. Just as Joseph’s forgiveness was genuine and complete, so is God’s forgiveness through Christ.

God’s promise of eternal security is not based on our performance but on His unchanging love and the finished work of Christ.

For years I was on the treadmill of performance. I felt like I had to strive to perform in order to be accepted by God. But by God’s grace, I began to realize that my position in Christ is the only solid foundation for assurance of salvation.

When we trust in Christ, we are assured of our salvation, and nothing can separate us from His love. Let us rest in the objective facts of God’s Word and trust in His promises, knowing that we are eternally secure in Him. Miles Stanford put it this way: “Let the facts of your position overwhelm the feelings of your condition.”

Blessings,

Bob

* * *

The Quality of Faith Versus the Object of Faith

By George Cutting

How may I be sure that I have the right kind of faith?

Well, there can be but one answer to that question, namely, Have you confidence in the right Person?—that is, in the blessed Son of God?

It is not a question of the amount of your faith, but of the trustworthiness of the person you repose your confidence in. One man takes hold of Christ, as it were, with a drowning man’s grip; another but touches the hem of His garment; but the sinner who does the former is not a bit safer than the one who does the latter. They have both made the same discovery, namely: that while all of self is totally untrustworthy, they may safely confide in Christ, calmly rely on His word and confidently rest in the eternal efficacy of His finished work. That is what is meant by believing in HIM. "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life" (John 6:47).

 

No Free Lunch!

Have you ever heard the saying, “There is no such thing as a free lunch”? Have you ever wondered where that saying comes from?

In the mid-19th century, American saloons had a clever way of attracting customers: they offered free lunches. These “free” meals typically consisted of salty foods like ham, cheese, and crackers—designed to make patrons thirsty and encourage them to buy more drinks at double or triple the cost of other saloons. While the lunch was “free,” the cost was hidden in the price of the drinks, leading to the popular phrase, “There is no such thing as a free lunch.”

Today, people often use the term “free” when, in reality, what is being offered is not truly free. For instance, BOGO (buy one, get one free) is a popular marketing tactic used by stores to attract customers. But if you have to buy one to get the second one free, is it really free? It’s no wonder that when someone offers something for free, people become suspicious.

In contrast, when God offers the free gift of salvation, there are no strings attached. In Revelation 22:17, we read, “And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.”

The idea that salvation is a free gift is a doctrine known as Free Grace Theology. Some argue that the term “free grace” is redundant because, by definition, grace is inherently free. However, it can also be argued that, in a sense, the Apostle Paul coined this term. He effectively conveys the idea of free grace in his writings. In Romans 3:24, he says that those who have trusted Christ for salvation have been, “justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,” Here, Paul underscores that justification—being made right with God—is a free gift of grace, not something we can achieve on our own.

In Romans 6:23, Paul writes that, “the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The use of “free gift” reinforces the idea that salvation is not something we can buy or earn; it is given to us freely by God’s grace. The term “free grace” emphasizes the nature of grace as a gift that cannot be earned or deserved. It serves as a reminder that God’s grace is given to us without any strings attached.

Blessings,

Bob

* * *

Keep the Gospel Clear

Keep the issue clear:

The issue is sin, and Who is going to forgive it.

Keep the direction clear:

It is from the Giver to the recipient. The gift of righteousness is given when you believe.

Keep the requirements clear:

It is salvation through FAITH.
There is nothing more!

―Dr. Charles Ryrie