Does everyone have an equal opportunity for salvation? Does everyone know of God?

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hilarycotter

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My wife and I were discussing this and she felt that not everyone has an equal opportunity and not everyone knows of God.

I thought we believed in baptism by desire and that God came for all.

Can anyone clarify this for us?

Thanks!

Hilary
 
Yes, the church does believe in baptism by desire. For if one does not know of God, nor the gospel, the conscience serves as witness to that person when they are to be judged by God. For all rational animals, humans, have the natural law in their hearts and do have a basic undertsnaidng of right and wrong. When one who has not heard the gospel is to see God, they shall be judged on what they did know. Thus, one who has not heard of Christ may still respond to grace through the natural law.
God Bless
 
To the best of my knowledge the Church teaches that everyone has the opportunity for salvation. However, I know of no teaching that all have equal opportunity. I have seen some writings that suggest that they do not.

For example, The Blessed Mother was conceived free of original sin and was filled with grace. I think this gave her a better chance than others, but this prepared her for greater trials than most of us will face.

At Fatima, she said that many souls go to hell because they have no one to pray for them. Thus, it would seem that those who do have someone to pray for them have a better chance of salvation.

Just my :twocents:
 
Thanks Joe and Unworthy Apostle.

Joe, I am bothered by your comment however. While I agree some people have graces others do not, if God is fair, shouldn’t all have equal opportunity?

Thanks!

Hilary
 
hilarycotter said:
Thanks Joe and Unworthy Apostle.

Joe, I am bothered by your comment however. While I agree some people have graces others do not, if God is fair, shouldn’t all have equal opportunity?

Thanks!

Hilary
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I can only suggest that God is, by definition, fair. Therefore it would seem that fairness only requires that all have the opportunity; not that all have equal opportunity. I would note the short summary of the Book of Job. Job looks at God and says, “I don’t understand You.” God looks at Job and says, "Well, at least you’ve got that right. " 😉

Note Malachi 1:2
“Is not Esau Jacob’s brother?” says the LORD. "Yet I have loved Jacob 3 but I have hated Esau;
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There is a lot of discussion over the meaning of “Hate” here, but God showed a definite favoritism to Jacob.
 
This was an excellent explanation, Joe! Thanks for taking the time to reply to me:)

Hilary
 
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