Yes, that can be true but that doesn't mean historical knowledge of the incarnation and Jesus' work on the cross is necessary for going to heaven in this life.
Technically you are correct. Yet this does not contradict "Jesus is the ONLY SAVIOR". What of those who have never HEARD of Jesus? Romans 1:19-20 applies---God reveals Himself to ALL, especially through His Creation;
they are without excuse. So while Jesus is
THE SAVIOR, Rom2:14-16 plainly says "the one who has never HEARD of Jesus
can still have Jesus in their HEART." Each person is held to his or her own level of knowledge. A Jew, a Moslem, a Buddhist---
can be saved, one can have Jesus in his/her heart
to the level he/she understands. But a Jew, or Moslem, or Buddhist who has HEARD of Christ, HEARD that He is the Messiah, "Immanuel-GOD-WITH-US", and knowingly rejects Christ,
has the understanding that would condemn...
There is no evidence that tainted souls are passed along and even if there were, it means the game is rigged. We don't blame a raindrop for falling. Thats how the laws work. If we are naturally inclined to sin how can we be held acountable for this by God?
One of the best passages in the Bible that succinctly sums us up, and salvation, is Romans 5:17-18; and it completely destroys the argument of "LIMITED ATONEMENT":
"For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. So then, as through one transgression came condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness came justifiction of life to all men."
First we see that
condemnation came by Adam to ALL MEN. We inherit that inclination towards sin. Second, we see that the abundance of grace and the abundance of the gift of righteousness
must be received. Third we see that
justification CAME to ALL MEN, in exactly the same measure as came condemnation; the equality is specifically presented as "SO THEN", "EVEN SO". Yet not all men are justified---
only those who RECEIVE the gift! "Limited Atonement" fails completely; there is no way to (undeniably) understand that PAS ANTHROPOS
EVERY HUMAN has inherited Adam's nature, and then refuse to hear the clear words that "justification came to PAS ANTHROPOS
EVERY HUMAN". Atonement is universal, salvation is by volition.
Christianity is not the only releigion of grace. I think you are wrong there, And I do believe other faiths have "repentence and forgiveness".
Ok, name another religion that does not say "salvation/nirvanah/God's-pleasure/whaddever" is by DEEDS. I'm not aware of any...
Also, I could look at this scripturwe which "could" affirm part of my thesis: 1 Tim 4:10 "that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe."
A natural reading of the text implies a universalism of sorts. Christians will explain this away but why? Its not because a non-universal reading is the natural one, its because it conflicts with some of their views and they feel the Bible must be absolutely perfect in all respects so it couldn't be saying what the plain sense of these words indicate. Maybe if studied in depth in the original languagee or whatever the verse would not imply universalism but on face value, God cannot be the savior of all men and especially those who believe unless he actually saves them from something.
Being saved FROM SOMETHING---does seem to be the definition of "SAVED".
"Universalism" seems suddenly an exploding cult. As you say, "exploring the original language" is critical. In 1Thess4:10, "ESPECIALLY" in the Greek, is "MALISTA"; which means, "especially,
above all". This harmonizes perfectly with the Rom5:17-18 passage I cited earlier---He IS the Savior of all mankind,
salvation is offered UNIVERSALLY; yet it does not contradict the reality that atonement must be RECEIVED. Received in the person of Christ, receiving His Lordship, becoming "born again" (do you know fully what "Born Again" means?)
Same thing as in 1Jn2:2: "He is the propitiation for our sins, and not just ours, but also for those of the WHOLE WORLD ("holos kosmos")". In this time the Jews believed they were "chosen" and Gentiles were
outta luck; so it was surprising for them to learn
salvation was offered to the WHOLE WORLD. This passage does not contradict the understanding that "salvation is UNIVERSALLY OFFERED, but only EFFECTS for those who BELIEVE." Just as Rom5:17-18 says...
The Christian faith has its own elements of works as well. The harmonizations of literalists not-withstanding, reading James will tell anyone that.
Contextually, James is only saying, "Faith that PRODUCES no good works, can NOT save you, CAN it!" (1:14---"Me Dunamai") This mirrors perfectly what Jesus said in Matt7:16-21:
"You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor figs from thistles, are they? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can the bad tree bear good fruit. ...Not everyone who says to Me 'Lord! Lord!' will enter Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in Heaven."
Unlike all other religions, works have no part in our salvation; but works are the CONSEQUENCE of a saved heart. "Why is that" you may ask? Because of the "born again nature" of our salvation. We are indwelt by the real person of the Holy Spirit, and by the real person of Jesus; see Gal2:20. Thus, the WORKS we DO, are really, GOD doing the works THROUGH US!
"Work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is GOD who is at work IN you, both to will and to work according to His good purpose." Philip2:12-13
If we are naturally inclined to sin how can we be held acountable for this by God?
Because of the nature of our Universe. We cannot, of ourselves, choose not to sin; each creation must follow its own nature. Yet, depraved as we are, God brings each person to the point where he/she CAN receive Christ (see Jn12:32---it uses "helkuo-draw-
drag"). In receiving Christ, we receive a new nature---and can walk "in the Spirit", righteously. While we live the flesh exists---and the sin nature, though dead, also exists; in our frailty even the best can stumble, and walk in the flesh---thus still sinning though saved. What separates the SAVED from the UNSAVED, is that sin is not PRACTICED; we walk in repentance and strive NOT to sin.
"If we say we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we CONFESS our sin (repent), He is faithful and righteous to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1Jn1:8-9