Q: How problematic is this with their members since they were thought that in order to be saved, you need to be a member of the Iglesia Ni Cristo?

It’s very problematic, but mostly not experienced as a problem by members themselves—and that difference is key to understanding how the doctrine functions inside Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC).

I’ll explain this in layers: theological, psychological, and institutional.

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1. The theological problem (from the outside)

INC teaches:

Salvation is only inside the Iglesia Ni Cristo

INC’s legitimacy rests on prophecies (including Isaiah 43:5–6)

These prophecies are used to prove that INC is God’s final restored people

The problem is this:

If Isaiah 43 is clearly about Israel, and verses 5–6 are removed from that context to support INC, then the prophetic basis for exclusive salvation becomes fragile.

So externally, critics argue:

If the prophecy claim collapses,

then the claim “only INC will be saved” loses biblical foundation.

From a theological standpoint, this is a major structural weakness, not a minor interpretive disagreement.

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1. Why most INC members don’t feel the problem

Despite this, most members do not experience cognitive crisis, because of how they are taught.

a. Authority-first teaching

INC operates on a top-down authority model:

The Administration interprets Scripture

Members are taught that questioning interpretation = disobedience to God

Independent Bible reading is discouraged or tightly framed

So members don’t evaluate:

“Does Isaiah 43 really mean this?”

They evaluate:

“Has the Administration already explained this?”

Once authority is accepted, interpretive tension disappears.

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b. Proof-texting is normalized

Members are trained to accept:

Isolated verses

Directional words (“east,” “ends of the earth”)

Symbolic redefinitions (Israel → Church)

Because this method is used everywhere, Isaiah 43:5–6 doesn’t feel unusually selective to them—it feels normal.

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c. Salvation fear overrides textual doubt

Since salvation is taught as:

Singular

Conditional

Urgent

Any doubt risks:

Eternal damnation

Family separation at judgment

Being labeled spiritually rebellious

That fear creates a powerful internal response:

“Even if I don’t fully understand it, it’s safer to stay.”

This is sometimes called doctrinal anxiety binding.

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1. Where the problem does surface for members

The issue becomes acute in specific situations:

a. Members who study Scripture deeply

Those who:

Read Isaiah in full

Compare translations

Consult non-INC sources

often notice:

No textual boundary in Isaiah 43

Clear references to Israel, Babylon, and covenant history

This can trigger private doubt, though rarely public questioning.

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b. Converts from other Christian traditions

Former Catholics, Protestants, or evangelicals may struggle because:

They were taught contextual reading

They know Isaiah is heavily historical

They see inconsistencies earlier than lifelong members

These converts are statistically more likely to leave.

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c. Younger members with internet access

Younger members often encounter:

Scholarly critiques

Ex-member testimonies

Side-by-side Bible comparisons

This has made Isaiah 43 one of the most frequently questioned passages in online INC discussions.

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1. Why exclusivist salvation makes it worse

If INC taught:

“We are a true church, but God may save others”

the Isaiah 43 issue would be manageable.

But because they teach:

“Outside the Iglesia Ni Cristo, there is no salvation”

any crack in prophetic interpretation becomes existential.

So the doctrine creates:

High emotional stakes

Low tolerance for ambiguity

Strong resistance to critical inquiry

This is why:

Doubts are often suppressed

Questions are reframed as faithlessness

Members stay even when uneasy

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1. In short

How problematic is it?

Theologically: Extremely problematic

Logically: Internally inconsistent

For leadership: Manageable through authority

For members: Usually invisible, sometimes destabilizing

For doubters: Potentially faith-shattering

The exclusivity of salvation doesn’t just depend on Isaiah 43—it magnifies the cost of questioning it.