The Catechism of the Catholic Church at 847 says:
Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do His will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience - those too may achieve eternal salvation.
I typically do not quote from things other than Scripture, but thought this was interesting from The Catechism of the Catholic Church at 161
Believing in Jesus Christ and in the One who sent him for our salvation is necessary for obtaining that salvation. “Since “without faith it is impossible to please [God]” and to attain to the fellowship of his sons, therefore without faith no one has ever attained justification, nor will anyone obtain eternal life ‘But he who endures to the end.’”
How does the 847 and 161 not contradict? 847 states one can achieve salvation without knowledge of Jesus, and 161 states the believing in Jesus and Faith is necessary. Just thought this was interesting.
Anyway back to Scripture. This is what God says about this.
Romans 2
11 For there is no partiality with God.
12 For all who have sinned without the Law will also perish without the Law, and all who have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law;
13 for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified.
14 For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves,
15 in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them,
16 on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.
This is in no way inconsistent with the truth that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, since His sacrifice is the source of all merit.
But it is inconsistant, and here is why, “those
too may achieve eternal salvation”. No one can achieve salvation. Also, using the word “too”, which means “also”, your quoted text is stating that even others than those can “achieve” salvation. The Bible is clear that Salvation is a gift, not earned or achieved. And one receives this gift by Grace, which mean unmeritted favor, through Faith in Jesus Christ.
Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
Eph 2:9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
And also,
Rom 4:4 Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due.
Rom 4:5 But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness,
One more thing, I usually do not quote from nonScripture. but read the following
As for how one who believes and has faith can lose salvation, see 2 Peter 2:20-22:
For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge
This passage is not talking about people who put their faith in Jesus. I have bolded the key phrase. These are people who had head knowledge and were possibly performing dead works. But they never came to faith. Then they were enticed back to their old ways. The grace of salvation is received through Faith, not knowledge. And once someone has come to faith in Jesus,
John 10:27 "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;
John 10:28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.
/qu
I believe that people we think who may have never heard the gospel or God because of where they live, have heard it if God wanted them to. God can reveal Himself through people’s dreams it doesnt neccessarily have to be another human being. If God wants you He will send someone or Himself to you. No one comes to God unless He draws them to Him(paraphrasing).
