Salvation according to Protestantism: Who can be Saved?

[meltzerboy]

I’ve read a lot of threads about the Catholic perspective on salvation. Much of what I read says there is no salvation outside of the Church. In other words, the salvation of Protestants, even “good” Protestants, while possible due to G-d’s mercy, is not as likely as the salvation of “good” Catholics. There is also a minority viewpoint that the good of “any religion outside of Christianity” can possibly be saved, with particular reference to the Jews and Muslims, but perhaps not limited to them. Then there is also the notion of “invincible ignorance,” which applies to people who have not been exposed to the teachings of the Church through no fault of their own, which enables those who do not practice Catholicism to possibly be saved, but there is no guarantee. (Of course, there is no guarantee for anyone’s salvation, only more or less likelihood.) The exact meaning of “invincible ignorance” with respect to a lack of understanding is also debated. If I’m wrong on any of the above points, please correct me. Now to my question: what is the Protestant perspective regarding salvation, particularly as it applies to Catholics? Is it simply that if they believe in Jesus and the Trinity, that’s all that is required, or is there something else necessary for them to be saved? Do they have to give up something, such as the veneration of Mary and the Saints, for example? And the second part of my question is what is the Protestant perspective regarding the salvation of non-Christians, such as Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Taoists, Pagans, and so on? Are they all automatically condemned to Hell if they don’t believe in the divinity of Jesus and the Trinity? (I realize that different Protestant denominations may have different views on this.) Third part: what about non-believers of any G-d or gods (atheists) according to Catholicism and Protestantism? Can there possibly be any salvation for them?

 

[smichhertz]

what is the Protestant perspective regarding salvation, particularly as it applies to Catholics? Is it simply that if they believe in Jesus and the Trinity, that’s all that is required, or is there something else necessary for them to be saved? Do they have to give up something, such as the veneration of Mary and the Saints, for example?

My Protestant brothers and sisters in Christ will probably be able to give you a better answer. But my friend, who was a former Lutheran seminarian before converting to Catholicism, describes it like this: Protestants (in general) hold to the belief that we are justified by God through “faith alone”. Meaning that as long as one has faith in God they are saved. A person is saved once they accept Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior.

As for the rest of your question, I am uncertain, and yield to other CAF users who may be more knowledgeable.

 

[blackfirepro]

I am a Protestant working on becoming Catholic. The position of most Protestants is that nobody can be saved unless they accept Jesus Christ as their “personal savior” or “forever friend”. So even if you live a holy, God-fearing life, you cannot be saved unless you are a Christian. If you are a good person but happen to be a Muslim or a Jew: Too Bad! You’re damned to hell.

The Catholic position is that God-seakers, by the grace of God’s mercy, may acheive salvation through winnning the respect of God. This goes for Muslims, Jews, Protestants, etc…

read my articles at:

colewebbharter.com

 

[Pretty_Wings]

Is it simply that if they believe in Jesus and the Trinity, that’s all that is required, or is there something else necessary for them to be saved?

Basically Faith is the biggest thing. Believing in God and that Jesus died on the cross and rose. Also turning from their wicked ways.

Do they have to give up something, such as the veneration of Mary and the Saints, for example?

Non Catholics believe Veneration of Mary and the Saints aren’t necessary.

And the second part of my question is what is the Protestant perspective regarding the salvation of non-Christians, such as Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Taoists, Pagans, and so on?

We believe Jews are God’s chosen people and at the end they will be saved. That God blinded there eyes for the Gentiles to see. As for the rest we believe they can be saved if they accept the Jesus Christ as their savior and believe in God, the one only true God.

Third part: what about non-believers of any G-d or gods (atheists) according to Catholicism and Protestantism? Can there possibly be any salvation for them?

Basically we believe anyone can be saved only if they believe in God and that Jesus Christ died and rose again.

 

[Pretty_Wings]

I am a Protestant working on becoming Catholic. The position of most Protestants is that nobody can be saved unless they accept Jesus Christ as their “personal savior” or “forever friend”. So even if you live a holy, God-fearing life, you cannot be saved unless you are a Christian. If you are a good person but happen to be a Muslim or a Jew: Too Bad! You’re damned to hell.

The Catholic position is that God-seakers, by the grace of God’s mercy, may acheive salvation through winnning the respect of God. This goes for Muslims, Jews, Protestants, etc…

read my articles at:

colewebbharter.com

We believe that Jews are going to Heaven. Also the thing about a good person; who is really good? The bible says not one is good that we all have sinned and come short of his glory. There are people that are genuinely good by our standards, but compare that goodness to a perfect God. the difference is vast. God cannot allow sin into his presence. He wants you in heaven thats why he died for us. If he wanted us in hell, he wouldnt have done anything for humanity.

 

[blackfirepro]

We believe that Jews are going to Heaven.

SOME Protestants believe those in the Jewish faith are going to heaven. Some, like the Fundamentalists, often see them as the spawn of the devil. Protestants are not united on this issue either.

Also the thing about a good person; who is really good? The bible says not one is good that we all have sinned and come short of his glory. There are people that are genuinely good by our standards, but compare that goodness to a perfect God. the difference is vast. God cannot allow sin into his presence. He wants you in heaven thats why he died for us. If he wanted us in hell, he wouldnt have done anything for humanity.

What about Noah, who found favor in the eyes of the Lord? Or Mary, who was “full of grace”?

 

[meltzerboy]

SOME Protestants believe those in the Jewish faith are going to heaven. Some, like the Fundamentalists, often see them as the spawn of the devil. Protestants are not united on this issue either.

What about Noah, who found favor in the eyes of the Lord? Or Mary, who was “full of grace”?

I can understand that Fundamentalists may not believe that Jews are going to heaven. But what kind of normal Fundamentalists believe the Jews are the “spawn of the devil”? Are you saying that is the teaching of Fundamentalist preachers?

 

[meltzerboy]

Basically Faith is the biggest thing. Believing in God and that Jesus died on the cross and rose. Also turning from their wicked ways.

Non Catholics believe Veneration of Mary and the Saints aren’t necessary.

We believe Jews are God’s chosen people and at the end they will be saved. That God blinded there eyes for the Gentiles to see. As for the rest we believe they can be saved if they accept the Jesus Christ as their savior and believe in God, the one only true God.

Basically we believe anyone can be saved only if they believe in God and that Jesus Christ died and rose again.

When you say “believing in G-d,” I assume you mean believing in the Triune G-d; is that correct? If one believes ONLY in Jesus, would that be unacceptable for all Protestants (except Oneness Pentecostals, if they are regarded as Protestants)? In other words, one must also believe in G-d the Father and the Holy Spirit, not just Jesus. Do most Protestant denominations really believe the Jews will be “saved at the end”? I had thought the opposite. If so, does this mean the Jews will see the Light at the end and convert to Christianity before they are saved?

 

[meltzerboy]

I am a Protestant working on becoming Catholic. The position of most Protestants is that nobody can be saved unless they accept Jesus Christ as their “personal savior” or “forever friend”. So even if you live a holy, God-fearing life, you cannot be saved unless you are a Christian. If you are a good person but happen to be a Muslim or a Jew: Too Bad! You’re damned to hell.

The Catholic position is that God-seakers, by the grace of God’s mercy, may acheive salvation through winnning the respect of God. This goes for Muslims, Jews, Protestants, etc…

read my articles at:

colewebbharter.com

Does the Catholic position of the grace of G-d’s mercy apply to ALL G-d-seekers, including Hindus and Buddhists, or only Protestants, Jews, and Muslims?

 

[blackfirepro]

I can understand that Fundamentalists may not believe that Jews are going to heaven. But what kind of normal Fundamentalists believe the Jews are the “spawn of the devil”? Are you saying that is the teaching of Fundamentalist preachers?

I am saying that radical Fundamentalism has a tendency to be anti-Jewish (and anti-Muslim and anti-Catholic). Not all though. Still, there is little unity in them.

 

[Pretty_Wings]

When you say “believing in G-d,” I assume you mean believing in the Triune G-d; is that correct? If one believes ONLY in Jesus, would that be unacceptable for all Protestants (except Oneness Pentecostals, if they are regarded as Protestants)? In other words, one must also believe in G-d the Father and the Holy Spirit, not just Jesus. Do most Protestant denominations really believe the Jews will be “saved at the end”? I had thought the opposite. If so, does this mean the Jews will see the Light at the end and convert to Christianity before they are saved?

When you say “believing in G-d,” I assume you mean believing in the Triune G-d; is that correct?

Yes

If one believes ONLY in Jesus, would that be unacceptable for all Protestants (except Oneness Pentecostals, if they are regarded as Protestants)? In other words, one must also believe in G-d the Father and the Holy Spirit, not just Jesus.

You have to believe in God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Majority of us believe that you don’t have to have the Holy Ghost to go to Heaven, its just a keeper, a comforter for this life. You can be saved and not have the Holy Ghost.

Do most Protestant denominations really believe the Jews will be “saved at the end”?

Yes, most do. They are God chosen people.

does this mean the Jews will see the Light at the end and convert to Christianity before they are saved?

A lot of us get mad at Jews for denying our Savior but at the end we remember God have a covenant with them. We believe at the end the Jews will see that Jesus is the messiah. The one they were looking for. I don’t know about converting to Christianity, but they will see that Jesus is their savior.

 

[Pretty_Wings]

I am saying that radical Fundamentalism has a tendency to be anti-Jewish (and anti-Muslim and anti-Catholic). Not all though. Still, there is little unity in them.

True, we all get upset when someone denies our savior and do things not of the Bible, But at the end of the day we just have to realize they don’t know any better.

 

[blackfirepro]

Does the Catholic position of the grace of G-d’s mercy apply to ALL G-d-seekers, including Hindus and Buddhists, or only Protestants, Jews, and Muslims?

Yes, it does.

read my essays and movie reviews at:
colewebbharter.com/

 

[Redeemed7]

Hey,
In response to Noah being a good person and Mary full of grace (and lots of others eg Abraham) who are counted as righteous just by faith and obedience in God. The overall picture the Bible gives of these people is that of people waiting to inherit salvation and that Jesus is the one who brings them that salvation. It’s interesting that in John’s gospel Jesus says “Abraham saw my day and was glad” and that at the transfiguration Moses and Elijah appear on the mountain talking with him. Both of these suggest that they already knew him and that their salvation came through the eternal Son of God. Also see Romans chapter 3 on this issue, it says that Jesus’ atonement is for the sins that God had previously left unpunished as well as those currently believing in him. As Jesus says, he’s the alpha and the Omega, beginning and the end. You can’t really escape him!

 

[Bran_Stark]

This protestant’s position is pretty much the same as the Catholic view: There is no salvation outside the Church (of course we have our own views own just what “the Church” is) - but despite this, people who are not visibly Christians might possibly be saved if they are merely ignorant of the Gospel, and would have accepted it had they known.

 

[meltzerboy]

This protestant’s position is pretty much the same as the Catholic view: There is no salvation outside the Church (of course we have our own views own just what “the Church” is) - but despite this, people who are not visibly Christians might possibly be saved if they are merely ignorant of the Gospel, and would have accepted it had they known.

What does “merely ignorant” of the Gospel mean? They never heard of it; they have heard of it but haven’t read it; they don’t understand it; they think they do understand it but misinterpret it; they don’t believe what it says because they were raised in a different faith; they believe what it says but don’t think it differs from their own faith?

 

[4Squarebaby]

What does “merely ignorant” of the Gospel mean? They never heard of it; they have heard of it but haven’t read it; they don’t understand it; they think they do understand it but misinterpret it; they don’t believe what it says because they were raised in a different faith; they believe what it says but don’t think it differs from their own faith?

It goes with the belief that the Holy Spirit will give the truth if you have been exposed to it yet you rejected the truth. Funny thing was in the Pentecostal thread running concurrently with this one in locked CAPs it was claimed that baptism was required along with belief which some 80% of Protestants are said to believe.

 

[Bran_Stark]

What does “merely ignorant” of the Gospel mean? They never heard of it; they have heard of it but haven’t read it; they don’t understand it; they think they do understand it but misinterpret it; they don’t believe what it says because they were raised in a different faith; they believe what it says but don’t think it differs from their own faith?

I am far from able to answer that question. All I know is that while God is surely merciful, He told us to convert the world to Christ. And I doubt He wants that conversion for frivolous reasons.

 

[curtish1947]

What does “merely ignorant” of the Gospel mean? They never heard of it; they have heard of it but haven’t read it; they don’t understand it; they think they do understand it but misinterpret it; they don’t believe what it says because they were raised in a different faith; they believe what it says but don’t think it differs from their own faith?

Hi,
Wow. Tough questions.
The idea of merely ignorant has two menings to me. One is that they have not been reached by the Gospel of Christianity, the other is they have not understood it.
Reached has two meanings also. One is they have been programmed, to be biased and believe their programmer. The other is the message has been received but not understood.
However the point of Protestant’s who have it right is that if, God so chooses to let you know Jesus is real, you are saved.
However saved is confusing. Clarifying the entire Christian message is that Jesus was also very adamant against the Apostles of the time for correcting others who knew less in a pedantic or officious or insensitive way. He said he would be most angry if you knew next to nothing and the religously informed angered you into rejecting what you knew of God.
The reference for the above is Mark 9: 38-42. It also covers who is the greatest in God’s view of things. In there also, if you read it in context, in todays terms, as though the Apostles are indeed The Holy Roman Catholic church’s Bishops, it fully states that there will be people not understood by us, who are acceptable to God, in God’s view.
Well that’s about all I have to say on that, except when it comes to worship (((love))), of God, it is God who sets each individual’s acts, which He wishes them to do. The rest of us are supposed to not criticize them, thereby actually criticizing God’s wishes.

Bye,
…Curt…

 

[curtish1947]

Hi Meltzerboy,
Now can you answer a question for me? I have heard that a Messiah was supposed to come from The Jewish point of view. Who said it and where is it written???

Thank-you
…Curt…

It’s wonderful to talk to someone who is Jewish.