The Very Pernicious and Detestable Doctrine of Inclusivism

Inclusivism asserts that the core beliefs of Christianity are true, but argues for a more positive view of other religions. An inclusivist maintains that God has revealed Himself definitively in Jesus Christ and that Jesus is somehow central to God’s provision of salvation for humankind; but inclusivism also allows that God’s salvation is available through non-Christian religions, provided one is truly seeking truth and follows whatever light God gives.

Robert Reymond noted that the seventeenth-century framers of the Westminster Confession of Faith described such heretical views as “very pernicious” and “detestable,” a judgment that the Confession is not inclined often to make, particularly with the adverb “very.”,

To my British brothers I say, “Yes, very, indeed.”

Notice that the Westminster divines addressed even those who think that the general revelation of Creation is sufficient to save. I call them the “noble savage” crowd who, on one hand, acknowledge that Christ is mankind’s only Savior, also argue that Christ will save many who have never heard of him through the revelation of God that is available to them in nature. For example, Millard Erickson outlines what he thinks are the five essential elements of the “gospel message” in nature: 1) The belief in one good powerful God. 2) The belief that he (man) owes this God perfect obedience to his law. 3) The consciousness that he does not meet this standard, and therefore is guilty and condemned. 4) The realization that nothing he can offer God can compensate him (or atone) for this sin and guilt. 5) The belief that God is merciful, and will forgive and accept those who cast themselves on his mercy. (Millard Erickson, “Hope for Those Who Haven’t Heard? Yes, but…,” Evangelical Missions Quarterly, Vol. 11, No. 2 (April 1975), 124. It remains to be seen, of course, whether any unregenerate sinner can or will come to these conclusions apart from gospel proclamation.) And on page 125 of that same article, Millard queries, “May it not be that if a man believes and acts on this set of tenets he is redemptively related to God and receives the benefits of Christ’s death, whether he consciously knows and understands the details of that provision or not?” (HT. Robert Reymond, Knox)

Upon such assertions, Robert Reymond responds: But now we must ask: Can people be saved through general revelation? Will any man, on the basis of general revelation, arrive at the set of tenets Erickson lays out? Are the Scriptures silent, as the agnostic inclusivists imply, about the eternal destiny of those who do not hear about and put their trust in Christ? I [Reymond] would respond in the negative to all three questions. (ibid) And I say “Amen” to Dr. Reymond’s sentiment, for the Scriptures clearly teach that general revelation only condemns mankind and that universally. Even if a man possesses all five of Erickson’s religious elements, he will still die in his sins and will spend eternity in Hell if he does not possess faith in Christ. According to Romans 2:12 there are only two kinds of sinners; there are those who know the law of God and those who do not. And both shall perish if they do not come to faith in Christ as the only means of salvation.

The inclusivists rebut such claims with cunning devices such as asserting that mere faith in God is what saves. By that they mean that as long as a person has faith in God, no matter if the content of that faith is deficient in its Christology, then that person is saved. In other words, it is not what one believes that matters but that one believes in God. [Arminianism here finds common ground, but that is a different subject.]

In conclusion, salvation is only and necessarily through faith in Jesus Christ. That is true of those who lived prior to Jesus’ incarnation, as they looked by faith towards the substitutionary atonement of the Messiah. The 1689 London Baptist Confession rightly affirms:

Although the price of redemption was not actually paid by Christ till after his incarnation, yet its value, efficacy, and benefits were communicated to the elect in all ages from the beginning of the world. This was accomplished through those promises, types, and sacrifices in which he was revealed and represented as the seed of the woman who should bruise the serpent’s head, and the Lamb slain from the beginning of the world, for he is the same, yesterday and today and forever. (8.6)

And it is true of those who live after Jesus’ incarnation, as the Confessions continues: This office of Mediator between God and the human race belongs exclusively to Christ, who is the Prophet, Priest, and King of the Church of God. This office may not be transferred from him to any other, either in whole or in part. (8.9)

I personally believe based on what John saw in Revelation that there will be so many people who are saved that it will be an astronomical number. But if God only saves one it will be only by grace through faith in Jesus for God’s glory according to the Scriptures.