by Fairfax » January 24th, 2010, 3:45 am
I was reading today about the character of Emeth, in The Last Battle, the character who best examplifies Lewis's beleif in Inclusionism.This is the belief that someone may belong to another faith, but might still be saved if one is ernestly seeking Truth. Christ IS that truth, so Emeth was genuinely seeking Aslan (Christ)even though he had been taught to worship Tash.
I have read that some have problems with Emeth's salvation, since he belonged (I would say superficially) to a false faith. Are there any on this forum who do, and why is that?
I've done a bit of research, and I found one site that was opposed to Lewis and inclusionism. As I expected, they tried (falsely) to protray Emeth's salvation as a "works" salvation, and that he got into heaven by doing a few good works even though he followed a false God. This is untrue! Emeth was not saved by his good works. He was saved because, inspite of what he'd been taught, his heart was in the right place.
Anyone who would still believe that a real-life Emeth would necessarily be barred from heaven in spite of the fact that that his heart was seeking Christ (and in that sense was saved already), would be subscribing to a salvation based solely on club membership. This sort of salvation is based on knowing and beleiving certain facts which are required to get in. It has nothing to do with one's heart. And as such, it has nothing to do with morality either. Those who promote such a salvation beleive God punishes those who lack beleif in certain facts. I emphasize the word "facts", because the word "beleif", in a Biblical context, does not mean what it seems many Christians think that it does.
I just noticed the forum rule that said "no debating". I am sorry if this post offended anyone. I would welcome freindly disagreement, (if it's okay) but please, nothing heated.