Postmortem Opportunity: A Biblical and Theological Assessment of Salvation after Death
Overview
One of Jesus’ most basic commands to his disciples was to tell the world about the good news of his life, death, and resurrection. From the earliest days of the church, Christians have embraced this calling.
But for those Christians who emphasize the need for an active response to the gospel in order to be saved, this raises some difficult questions: What about those who did not hear the gospel before death? Or what about those who heard an incorrect or incomplete version of the gospel? Or what about those who were too young or who were otherwise unable to respond?
In light of these challenging questions, theologian James Beilby offers a careful consideration of the possibility for salvation after death. After examining the biblical evidence and assessing the theological implications, he argues that there is indeed hope for faith—even beyond death.
- Offers a careful consideration of the possibility for salvation after death
- Examines the biblical evidence and assesses the theological implications
- Addresses common questions and objections
- Preface
- The Destiny of the Unevangelized
- Postmortem Opportunity
- A Theological Argument for Postmortem Opportunity
- Scriptural Objections to Postmortem Opportunity
- Scriptural Evidence for Postmortem Opportunity
- A Historical Objection to Postmortem Opportunity
- Theological Objections to Postmortem Opportunity
- Inclusivism and Postmortem Opportunity
- Will All Be Saved?
- Postmortem Opportunity, Universalism, and Hell
Top Highlights
“Thielman argues, ‘It is extremely unlikely that Paul would use the phrase [descended to the lower, earthly regions] in such a cultural environment and expect his readers to understand by it anything over than a descent to the realm of the dead.’” (Page 142)
“The core claim is this: those who die without receiving a genuine opportunity to hear and respond to the gospel will receive a Postmortem Opportunity to do so.” (Page 35)
“A person’s salvific status is a function of a complex set of affections, dispositions, commitments, beliefs, and actions and as such a person’s soteriological status is opaque to us.” (Page 56)
“Any act done to avoid condemnation is by its very nature insufficient as an act done for its original purpose. If I only teach well enough to sidestep my students’ complaints when I fail them, my teaching is insufficient as teaching.” (Page 45)
“While I do not believe that death is the end of salvific opportunity, I do believe that salvific opportunity ends at the day of judgment. After judgment has been passed, it is final. There are no salvific opportunities in hell.” (Page 55)
Beilby’s scriptural and theological arguments are cogent, careful, and convincing. He does not claim too much for any of the passages but simply shows how those texts that might seem to close the door to Postmortem Opportunity, when considered fully and in context, do not. Beilby’s book has convinced me of the plausibility of a Postmortem Opportunity for salvation for those who have not heard at all or have not heard well. Such a suggestion aligns with what I have found to be true of the character of God and enlivening for Christian mission and discipleship.
—Amy Peeler, associate professor of New Testament at Wheaton College, author of You Are My Son: The Family of God in the Epistle to the Hebrews
Well-anchored in Scripture and Christian orthodoxy, Jim Beilby’s book provides a careful and wise exploration of Postmortem Opportunity. Beilby’s book is honest, humble, judicious, and insightful. Even if readers may disagree at points, Beilby will expand their horizons and offer much important food for thought.
—Paul Copan, Pledger Chair of Philosophy and Ethics at Palm Beach Atlantic University and author of Loving Wisdom: A Guide to Philosophy and Christian Faith
Beilby does an admirable job of working through every dimension of how we should understand the fate of those who have died without hearing the saving message of Christ. This is not just a complex and interesting theological question. The answers have emotional and existential importance to those deeply concerned about the eternal status of loved ones. Beilby skillfully draws on exegetical, philosophical, and theological resources to offer his view of Postmortem Opportunity for salvation, both for the unevangelized and the pseudoevangelized. Throughout, the book offers creative alternatives while avoiding speculative conclusions, all the time insisting on the centrality of salvation in Christ.
—Steve Wilkens, professor of philosophy and ethics at Azusa Pacific University
- Title: Postmortem Opportunity: A Biblical and Theological Assessment of Salvation after Death
- Author: James K. Beilby
- Publisher: IVP Academic
- Print Publication Date: 2021
- Logos Release Date: 2021
- Pages: 348
- Era: era:contemporary
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subject: Salvation after death
- ISBNs: 9780830853779, 9780830853762, 0830853774, 0830853766
- Resource ID: LLS:PSTMRTMPPRTNDTH
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T02:29:48Z