Faith Comes by Hearing: A Response to Inclusivism (Morgan)

What about those who have never heard?

The debate swirls and feelings run deep. What is the fate of the unevangelized? The traditional position--that apart from an explicit faith in Jesus no one is saved--seems to have fallen out of favor with many evangelicals. Here is a passionate but irenic response to the arguments of those who believe that the unevangelized can (or might) be saved apart from knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Building on the insights of others, nine scholars introduce readers, even those with little background, to the ongoing discussion. Key questions--Is general revelation sufficient? Are other religions salvific? Do holy pagans exist? Must faith be explicit? Is exclusivism unjust?--are probed and answered from a biblical, theological and historical perspective. 

The book's positive thrust is summed up by editors Robert Peterson and Christopher Morgan : "God is passionately engaged in gathering people to know, love and worship him from every tribe, language, people and nation. And he has called us to join him on this mission."

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction by Robert A. Peterson
2. Inclusivisms and Exclusivisms by Christopher W. Morgan
3. General Revelation: Sufficient or Insufficient? by Daniel Strange
4. Exclusivism: Unjust or Just? by William Edgar
5. Other Religions: Saving or Secular? by Eckhard J. Schnabel
6. Holy Pagans: Reality or Myth? by Walter C. Kaiser, Jr.
7. Saving Faith: Implicit or Explicit? by Stephen J. Wellum
8. Inclusivism versus Exclusivism on Key Biblical Texts by Robert A. Peterson
9. The Gospel for All Nations by Andreas J. Köstenberger
10. God’s Zeal for His World by J. Nelson Jennings
11. Answers to Notable Questions by Christopher W. Morgan and Robert A. Peterson

Author 

Christopher W. Morgan (Ph.D., Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary) is associate dean and associate professor of theology at California Baptist University in Riverside, California. He is senior pastor at First Baptist Church in Barstow, California.Robert A. Peterson (Ph.D., Drew University) is professor of systematic theology at Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. He was formerly professor of New Testament and theology at Biblical Theological Seminary in Hatfield, Pennsylvania.

Endorsements 

"Meticulously crisscrossing the arena of recent evangelical debate, these essays make a compelling case against Christian hypotheses of salvation for some apart from faith in Christ. This is the book against which self-styled inclusivists will henceforth have to argue." - J. I. Packer, Regent College 

"For those who are more interested in faithful alignment with what Scripture says than in sentimentality on this extraordinarily challenging subject, this is now the book to read. Courteous in tone yet thoroughly engaged with those who take contrary positions, the contributors lead us with exegetical care, theological poise and pastoral sensitivity through a thicket of common objections. I warmly recommend this book." — D. A. Carson, Research Professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

"No greater challenge faces the church of Jesus Christ than religious inclusivism--the belief that sincere people of many religions have enough truth to be saved from spiritual ruin. In an age of tolerance for all that does not seem to hurt or inhibit, no note sounds more discordant than an exclusivistic requirement of faith in Jesus Christ. Yet--with patience, respect and biblical rigor--Morgan, Peterson et al. show such an exclusive claim is in the Bible. Nothing could be more insensitive and arrogant than repeating this claim--unless it is true. Then, nothing could be more gracious and necessary than this book's message." — Bryan Chapell, President, Covenant Theological Seminary