Christian Intolerance and the Centrality of Jesus Christ for Salvation

David Bumgardner

"Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus." Literally, "Outside of the [one True, Holy, and Apostolic] Church, there is no salvation." -Cyprian of Carthage.

On Wednesday, the socialist/Independent senator from Vermont, Bernie Sanders, openly questioned the qualifications and fitness to serve of Trump-appointed nominee for deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget, Russell Vought, by implying that Mr. Vought's commitment to the Christian doctrine of "Extra Ecclesiam" was "Islamophobic" and "not what this country needs to be about."

This doctrine teaches that those who are not united to the Body of Christ through faith in the atoning sacrifice of God's Son, Jesus Christ, will be eternally condemned. Bernie Sanders's ignorance of historical Christian theology is clearly evident, as Christians have held to this Orthodox doctrine for millennia, regardless of their denominational affiliation, especially seeing that Roman Catholics, practicing members of Eastern Orthodoxy, and Protestants all hold to this doctrine. More than that, his unconstitutional line of questioning screams of a double-standard and blatant Christian intolerance. Not only do Christians believe salvation is impossible without adherence to its faith, but many other religious groups hold to some sort of doctrine of eternal punishment as a result of non-adherence, regardless if they believe in a literal "Hell" or not. These religious groups include the following: Tibetan Buddhists, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Taoists, and many more. Where is the intense line of questioning for public servants who hold to any of those faiths? Does Bernie Sanders not understand that the Muslims he believes are being treated unfairly by Mr. Vought also believe that Vought will one day stand condemned before Allah?

I am not one to rouse my own "persecution complex," but anyone committed to Christian Orthodoxy, classical religious tolerance, religious liberty, and the Constitution of the United States should be outraged by this unconstitutional line of questioning.

Read this article for a more detailed account: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/06/bernie-sanders-chris-van-hollen-russell-vought/529614/#article-comments

Soli Deo Gloria!