There are several bits of information that are helpful in understanding this position. I will borrow from John Sanders who is an advocate of Inclusivism (What about those who have not heard? Sanders):
- Both believe that Jesus is the unique and unsurpassable revelation of God and is the only Savior (Three Views, pg. 23)
- Jesus is the goal and standards of what humanity is to be like.
- The atonement of Jesus is absolutely essential for the salvation of any human being who has ever lived.
- Inclusivists say God desires to save every single human being; Restrictivists says that God desires all to be saved. (Rom. 5:8; 2 Cor. 5:15; 1 Timothy 2:4; 1 John 2:2)
- Inclusivists say God wants the salvation Jesus provides to be made available to all people. Restrictivists say God has provided salvation for all and called His people to make it available to all.
- Inclusivists claim God includes all in his grace and excludes in judgment only those who spurn that grace. Restrictivists would claim that Gods’ common grace is for everyone but saving grace is only for those who exercise faith in Christ. (pg. 33)
While this is not comprehensive it does show both where the confusion comes for many trying to understand this element of theology but it should also begin to reveal where the differences begin to part ways with each other. I have deliberately worded things here in very similar fashion, not to frustrate you but to give you pause to think what the differences might be.
In His grace,
Pastor Brad
