Nothing is perhaps more intrusive, ridiculous, and morally offensive in the Western world than the Christian claim that salvation is found in Christ, and for those who like Reformation-echoing language, in Christ alone. The shadow side of the claim to salvation in Christ is an explanation of what happens to those are not saved in Christ. In the history of the Christian tradition, the shadow side is called hell.
Thank you, Scot. I appreciate this discussion. I’m deconstructing, having left the (white) conservative American evangelical subculture to better follow Jesus.
Using these categories I would say I’m a Christian Exclusivism who hopes in the possibility that one day all will accept Christ (universalist). With Inclusivism, as I see it in your descriptions, there’s no need for repentance. (It also turns many exclusive passages in Scripture on its head.) As I see in inclusivism you can live how ever you want as long as you are not a narcissistic uncaring “a-hole” and you’ll receive salvation. What about sins against your own body? What about the first great commandment to love God? It could go the other way as well. This might cause anxiety of trying to be good enough to not be among the damned.
Christian Inclusivism moralistic therapeutic deism with Christian trappings. It just doesn’t sound like good news.
Boy you sure weighted your poll toward inclusivism with the descriptions, didn't ya! And it's a miracle that anybody ever comes to a saving faith in Jesus Christ, ain't it? I don't believe that any person ever born did/does/will not have the opportunity to call out to the LORD and be "saved." He has promised THAT in both the so-called Old and New Testaments. I guess I outta write a book, huh? https://themjkxn.substack.com/p/i-found-it
The descriptions and definitions are summaries of what the author himself wrote.
Thank you, Scot. I appreciate this discussion. I’m deconstructing, having left the (white) conservative American evangelical subculture to better follow Jesus.
I’m not sure I can choose one - they all have influenced my journey.
I’m not sure I can adhere to one, because they each have at least one “hook” to snag. Jesus seemed to like nets.
Does there need to be a shadow side of salvation that is anything but us, personally, ignoring goodness because we can?
These are interesting concepts and I like them. Thank you Scott for sharing this book .
Using these categories I would say I’m a Christian Exclusivism who hopes in the possibility that one day all will accept Christ (universalist). With Inclusivism, as I see it in your descriptions, there’s no need for repentance. (It also turns many exclusive passages in Scripture on its head.) As I see in inclusivism you can live how ever you want as long as you are not a narcissistic uncaring “a-hole” and you’ll receive salvation. What about sins against your own body? What about the first great commandment to love God? It could go the other way as well. This might cause anxiety of trying to be good enough to not be among the damned.
Christian Inclusivism moralistic therapeutic deism with Christian trappings. It just doesn’t sound like good news.
Boy you sure weighted your poll toward inclusivism with the descriptions, didn't ya! And it's a miracle that anybody ever comes to a saving faith in Jesus Christ, ain't it? I don't believe that any person ever born did/does/will not have the opportunity to call out to the LORD and be "saved." He has promised THAT in both the so-called Old and New Testaments. I guess I outta write a book, huh? https://themjkxn.substack.com/p/i-found-it