Systematic Theology, by Louis Berkhof - New Leaven

same terms as at present, namely, faith in Christ as Saviour. Christ is made known to all
who still need Him unto salvation, and acceptance of Him is urged on all. No one is
condemned to hell without being subjected to this test, and only they are condemned
who resist this offer of grace. The eternal state of man will not be irrevocably fixed until
the day of judgment. The decision made between death and the resurrection will
decide, whether one will be saved or not. The fundamental principle on which this
theory rests, is that no man will perish without having been offered a favorable
opportunity to know and accept Jesus. Man is condemned only for the obstinate refusal
to accept the salvation that is offered in Christ Jesus. Opinions differ, however, as to the
persons to whom the gracious opportunity to accept Christ will be offered in the
intermediate state. The general opinion is that it will certainly be extended to all
children who die in infancy, and to the adult heathen who in this life have not heard of
Christ. The majority hold that it will even be granted to those who lived in Christian
lands, but in this present life never properly considered the claims of Christ. Again,
there is great diversity of opinion as to the agency and the methods by which this
saving work will be carried on in the future. Moreover, while some entertain the largest
hope as to the outcome of the work, others are less sanguine in their expectations.
2. THE FOUNDATION ON WHICH THIS DOCTRINE RESTS. This theory is founded in part
on general considerations of what might be expected of the love and justice of God, and
on an easily understood desire to make the gracious work of Christ as inclusive as
possible, rather than on any solid Scriptural foundation. The main Scriptural basis for it
is found in I Pet. 3:19 and 4:6, which are understood to teach that Christ in the period
between His death and resurrection preached to the spirits in hades. But these passages
furnish but a precarious foundation, since they are capable of quite a different
interpretation. 12 And even if these passages did teach that Christ actually went into the
underworld to preach, His offer of salvation would extend only to those who died
before His crucifixion. They also refer to passages which, in their estimation, represent
unbelief as the only ground of condemnation, such as John 3:18,36; Mark 16:15,16; Rom.
10:9-12; Eph. 4:18; II Pet. 2:3,4; I John 4:3. But these passages only prove that faith in
Christ is the way of salvation, which is by no means the same as proving that a
conscious rejection of Christ is the only ground of condemnation. Unbelief is
undoubtedly a great sin, and one that stands out prominently in the lives of those to
whom Christ is preached, but it is not the only form of revolt against God, nor the only
ground of condemnation. Men are already under condemnation when Christ is offered
12 Cf. especially Hovey, Eschatology, pp. 97-113, and Vos, Art. Eschatology of the New Testament in the
International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia.
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