Salvation for All: God's Other Peoples

by Gerald O'Collins

This book examines in depth and at length what the Old Testament and the New Testament hold about the salvation of God's "other peoples." The Bible repeatedly bears witness to the universal scope of divine love for all human beings, and to the chances of salvation available to them. Since the Israelites experienced for many centuries, both at home and abroad, the religion and culture of numerous other peoples, the Old Testament texts have much to say, both positively and negatively, about the religious prospects and destiny of these peoples. In its second half, this book scrutinizes what Jesus, the evangelists, Paul, and the Letter to the Hebrews indicate about God's loving designs for all human beings. In the end, O'Collins breaks new ground by developing the universal presence of the risen Jesus (along with the Holy Spirit) and his role as universal Wisdom, and the full teaching of the Letter to the Hebrews on the possibility of faith for all people.

290 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Born in Australia, Gerald O’Collins received his PhD at Cambridge University in 1968. From 1973 to 2006 he taught at the Gregorian University (Rome), where he was also dean of the theology faculty (1985–91). He is now a research professor in theology at St Mary’s University College in Twickenham.

Reviews

[Conor Warren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd like to give this book four stars but some portions of the book felt a bit redundant. Moreover, at the halfway point I thought the author was trying to pull a bait-and-switch but around the 3/4 point I realized he was simply building on his argument.

Lot's of stuff to be expected from a Catholic writer so I don't fault him for defending the doctrines of the Church. I enjoyed the subtle jabs (though I don't know if the author intended them) at the abomination that is Calvinist theology.

A solid book with some very interesting ideas. Though, perhaps not organized in the best way

[Sengole Gnanaraj · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book to know what the Bible says about the "other people" how those other people are sometimes vehicle and medium of God's designs! Ruth, Naaman, Baalam etc!!