DAY 81
CHALLENGE
“The Catholic claim that it’s possible for non-Christians to be saved undercuts the basis of evangelization.“
DEFENSE
The duty to evangelize is not based on the idea that it’s impossible to be saved without explicitly embracing the Christian faith.
We have a duty to evangelize because Jesus told us to: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:19–20), and, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation” (Mark 16:15).
It is God’s will we evangelize, and regardless of the reasons for this, a sense of duty and gratitude should motivate us to preach the gospel. It so happens God has given us insights into why it is his will we evangelize, and not all of these are connected with the next life. Simply know- ing the truth about God is good, and preaching the truth about the Creator to creation is a worthwhile activity regardless of what happens in the next life. Further, the Christian faith is not exclusively concerned with the afterlife. Being a Christian brings blessings in this life as well, and it is worthwhile to share the gospel with others for that reason.
Of course, one’s response to the gospel does affect salvation, and this is a powerful motive to evangelize, but it is not the only one.
Further, it doesn’t have to be impossible for a person to be saved for there to be a salvation-based motive for evangelization. If becoming a Christian makes it easier or more likely for him to be saved, that is reason to share the gospel with him.
There are spiritual dangers in the world: “Very often, deceived by the Evil One, men have become vain in their reasonings, and have exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and served the creature rather than the Creator. Or else, living and dying in this world without God, they are exposed to ultimate despair” (CCC 844).
If a person has a clearer understanding of the truth and greater access to the means of grace that the Christian faith offers, then he will be better prepared to overcome those dangers and be saved.