[metmom]

So now they lie helpless, unable to decide whether the tribals are saved or not, by ignorance of THEIR CHOSEN DOGMA. Their conundrum is easy to understand. If they choose to say that they are saved in spite of the lack of faith in their chosen dogma, then faith doesn’t require their dogma, thus contradicting their dogma. If they say they are not saved, then their deity fails the test of justice, for it now punishes the innocent. They know this well, so they choose to avoid, and the endless prattle of insults rain on.

People are not saved by faith in dogmas, but by faith in a person.

Just what is it that you really want to know? Is it whether the *tribals* are saved by faith, or whether they will be saved having never heard of Jesus before?

[James C. Bennett]

This one:

"... whether they will be saved having never heard of Jesus before?"

[betty boop]

Just what is it that you really want to know? Is it whether the *tribals* are saved by faith, or whether they will be saved having never heard of Jesus before?

I'd guess for JCB, it's the latter.

In any case, he keeps nattering away about the salvation prospects of "tribals" who have not heard the message of Jesus Christ, demanding to know whether they can be "saved."

In a much earlier post, I told JCB that I do not know the specifics of how God judges in such matters. I do know that Jesus Christ died for all men, including *tribals.*

And you are so right, metmom, to insist that men are not saved by dogma, but only by the Person of Christ, Who says of Himself:

I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. — John 10: 14–16

To me, this says that even the *tribals* will hear the Voice of Christ on Judgment Day, and will thus have the opportunity to embrace or deny Christ — and be judged saved or condemned accordingly.

I suspect this will not clear up matters for JCB. But I did try.

Thank you, dear sister in Christ, for your many trenchant essay/posts on this matter!