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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!

I do know that Jesus Christ died for all men, including *tribals.*

Let me get this straight, bb: you 'know' this because you choose to believe it, or is your 'knowing' it independent of your will? From your posts, it seems to be the former. Here is why:

You write: 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

So, the "tribals" will decide if they are saved or not? Salvation is in the hands of men and not God, i.e. their decision! One is saved by "approving" of God, by embracing Christ, by human will and decision and God is simply waiting on them to decide which way they will go, and he will oblige?

I am not saying it's right or wrong, but it's a novel, if not somewhat narcissistic type of soteriology given that all Christians pray "Thy will be done."

I take it, then, that you believe it really doesn't matter what one believes as long as one "approves" and "accept" Jesus as the Savior? In other words, even the Unitarians who deny Jesus is God, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, Gnostic, etc., anyone, no matter what their theology or doctrine, are assured salvation as long as they accept Jesus? Coming form someone who claims to be Catholic, that is rather strange, imo. You sound more like a Universalist for sure.

"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 think we have a pretty good hint of that sort of scenerio in: John 4: 9-29

Particularly verse 4: 22: "Ye worship ye know not what, but..." ~ Jesus