Dear list,
Living in Japan, where less than 1% of the people are Christian,
about 70% Buddhist, and the rest a variety of "other", I am
occasionally confronted with the question of salvation for
folk who follow these other religions.
I am fully aware of the party line on this matter, but with
my scientific training, such simple (at least seemingly)
political answers seem out of place and dogmatic to me.
I am quite sure that Jesus is the "best way", and I can wiggle
through an answer such as "Jesus is the only way that people
ultimately gain salvation" with some vague suggestion that
perhaps only those who have made an outright decision to
reject the Lord and have taken an active role to live out a
life of rebellion against God are in serious danger of completely
crossing the lines of Grace, but frankly, I don't really know
enough on the theological matters are on this subject.
It is really hard for me to think of people I know and care
about here in Japan, and some of my Chinese friends for that matter,
being on the direct highway to Hell simply because they were exposed
to a different culture, different views, and a different but clearly
comparable set of standards.
Does anyone have some suggestions on intelligent things to
say in regards to these difficult theological (actually
eschatological) matters?
one tiny Christian living in a big Buddhist country
By faith in Christ we are saved, and by Grace, we proceed,
Wayne
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