ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses Christianity as an exclusive religion. One can be saved only through faith in Jesus Christ, but Augustine, Anselm, and Aquinas (AAA) hold that anyone might receive grace. Baptism is necessary but, in practice, is available to everyone. Nor is everyone who professes Christianity assured of salvation. How should non-Christians be treated? The focus is on Augustine as the foundation for Anselm and Aquinas. Islam is mentioned only briefly since it arose after Augustine's death. Augustine confronted several heresies. His main tool is argument, but he concludes that the state may use force against heresy in the interests of social order and Church unity. Aquinas agrees. In the context of their times their positions are moderate. What of the Jews? They are not heretics, since a heretic must claim to be a Christian. Augustine defends the Jews, insisting, against opponents, that Jesus and His disciples were Jews who followed the Jewish law. The Jews are protected by God, and it is important that their community survive, since, through their holy books they serve as witnesses to the antiquity of the divine plan for salvation through Christ.
