salvation of non believers?

Zaidagal

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Hi everyone - Just curious as to whether there is a consenses in the Salvation Army about the salvation of non-christians. I read a statement from William Booth that was very hopeful in terms of the salvation of those who, through no fault of their own, have ever heard the name of Jesus - it was very similar to what the RC Church teaches, in terms of people being saved by following the light that "has" been given to them, through conscience, etc. Beautful words.

But I wonder about the over all SA understanding regarding people of other faiths, non-christians in our own communities, etc...

Thanks and Blessings!
 

Halbhh

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Hi everyone - Just curious as to whether there is a consenses in the Salvation Army about the salvation of non-christians. I read a statement from William Booth that was very hopeful in terms of the salvation of those who, through no fault of their own, have ever heard the name of Jesus - it was very similar to what the RC Church teaches, in terms of people being saved by following the light that "has" been given to them, through conscience, etc. Beautful words.

But I wonder about the over all SA understanding regarding people of other faiths, non-christians in our own communities, etc...

Thanks and Blessings!

Interesting. I know that could come from Romans chapter 2, verses 6 through 16, (or an inspired message like to this passage), so you and I can read, and see the exact wording ourselves. :) Because this is Paul, and he writes complex, convoluted sentences at times, it can help to read it in the NIV translation along with others, going over the text more than once.
 
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zaida

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Thanks! I need to go back and read those sections of Paul. Certainly, in the RC Church, the belief has always been that salvation is through grace - but we must cooperate with that grace. And there has always been a diverse set of belief in the Church as to "who" might end up in Heaven. So - our catechism teaches that "those who respond to grace, as is given to them, might be saved" - and its through Jesus - even if they don't consciously know His name, or consciously know/believe He is the saviour. Thus, for example, Muslims, Jewish people, athiests are not necessarily outside the bounds of salvation....With the RC Church, one is allowed to be a "hopeful universalist" (pray for all souls, and hope indeed that all are saved), and one is also allowed to believe that few are saved. And there are (and always have been) Catholics that hold to one or the other of these extremes....I was just wondering if its similar with Salvation Army....I was interested to read William Booth's words sounding very "RC-ish" in temrs of those who have never heard our saviours name....Blessings!
 
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