A Response to Dinesh D'souza

So who gets into heaven and why? According to Dinesh D'souza, only God knows, and they may not have to know Christ to do so. Last week while listening to Dennis Prager I caught his interview with Mr. D'souza about his new book: What's So Great About Christianity? . (A book I might recommend in time, withholding judgment so far). One of the questions he and Mr. Prager discussed was who gets into heaven. I guess at this point, seeing that Mr. D'souza was put forth as a Christian expert (His page would indicate he's Roman Catholic) he gave an answer that would be in line with what Prager believes. Here's an example:



So what was Dinesh's answer to the same kind of question? It came along these lines:

1) Abraham is mentioned as someone in heaven (referring to Abraham's bossom) and he never had faith in Christ.
2) We're never told who is in Heaven.
3) And what about that good Hindu who just never got a chance but lived in line with the law of Moses?(not an argument but an assertion that is supposed to settle the matter)

As a response to the first answer, I quote Paul himself as he states in Romans 4
1

What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, discovered in this matter?2If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about–but not before God.3What does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

I believe that answers two of Mr. D'souzas arguments. namely that Faith is required (Not by works of the law, Moses' or otherwise) but also that Abraham believed God. I might add, by even bringing Abraham up, doesn't that at least tell us whom IS in heaven? Now he might wonder about all people who believe in God and have faith in him. But I ask: which God? Again, Paul tells us in Galatians 3:

6Consider Abraham: “He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”7Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham.8The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”9So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

Notice that All people have to come to faithin the same God as Abraham did, and have the same kind of faith to have the same end: being in God's family (which will eventually be with him in Heaven). Notice also that this good news (gospel) is what Abraham believed (In embryonic form it would seem because is says Scripture anticipated the whole story). He believed the gospel, now that we have the full version, that alone is what saves people. It alone is the bridge to being in God's family. And if you don't believe me, let me quote Hebrews 11. In the great chapter of faith it tells of the end of those who believed:

14People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own.15If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return.16Instead, they were longing for a better country–a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

Sounds a lot like Heaven. I refer you to Revelation 4 as well:

“You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased men for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation.

10You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign on the earth.”

God himself has taken the initiative to save a people for himself. Who are they? Those who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved (Romans 10:12-13)

As for people who live in accord with the law of Moses? Romans 3:

9What shall we conclude then? Are we any better? Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin.10As it is written:
“There is no one righteous, not even one;

11there is no one who understands,
no one who seeks God.

12All have turned away,
they have together become worthless;
there is no one who does good,
not even one.”

We'd better take a closer look at what the Bible says about who does and doens't go to Heaven. To ignore it is to ignore God's master plan.