Anonymous Christian

Anonymous Christian is the controversial notion introduced by the Jesuit theologian Karl Rahner (1904–1984) that declares that people who have never heard the Christian Gospel might be saved through Christ. Non-Christians could have "in basic orientation and fundamental decision," Rahner wrote, "accepted the salvific grace of God, through Christ, although may never have heard of the Christian revelation."

Traditionally, Christians engaged interreligious dialogue with the concern that open dialogue was a betrayal of Christian principles. The notion of inclusivism, for which Rahner's Anonymous Christian is the principal Christian model, is "the most popular of interreligious postures."

Read more about Anonymous Christian:  Karl Rahner, Vatican II and Catholicism, Pope Benedict XVI, Criticism

Famous quotes containing the words anonymous and/or christian:

    Public opinion, a vulgar, impertinent, anonymous tyrant who deliberately makes life unpleasant for anyone who is not content to be the average man.
    —W.R. (William Ralph)

    Blest be the tie that binds
    Our hearts in Christian love;
    The fellowship of kindred minds
    Is like to that above.
    John Fawcett (1739/40–1817)