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 word christian:
“My Christian friends, in bonds of love, whose hearts in sweetest union join,
Your friendship’s like a drawing band, yet we must take the parting hand.
Your company’s sweet, your union dear; Your words delightful to my ear,
Yet when I see that we must part, You draw like cords around my heart.”
—John Blain (18th century)