Posted by Phil on August 10, 1999 at 11:48:23:
In Reply to: Formative Spirituality-a maslovian revolution in theology? posted by j sobert sylvest on August 08, 1999 at 10:55:13:
That was a very good reflection, John. Thanks for posting it.
I, too, believe the Helper Spirit is at work in all people--even those without explicit faith--constantly trying to leaven each individual of this race unto a life of greater love and wholeness. Explicit faith can greatly expedite this process, if it is properly formed.
Regarding Hell and Mortal Sin, I suppose it would be good to teach these, as you say, as "footnotes." Or, perhaps, they should just be properly taught, which would be to say that no one really goes to Hell who hasn't rejected God totally (which is what Mortal Sin is). It's just impossible to say when people do this by resorting to objective criteria alone (sexual sins, missing Church services, etc.), for it is precisely in the realm of the subjective that the whole-hearted rejection of God is to be found. And who can say if one has done this? Not even the sinner him/herself can say so. Only God knows the heart, and, it seems to me, as long as some little corner of the heart has not been surrendered to self-will, God still has a chance to win the soul and won't stop trying to do so. That would be a more hopeful way of talking about this matter than the way I was taught.
Peace,
Phil