This begs the question of whether there is one answer and whether this answer is exclusive or inclusive.
I don't think so. You can't define faith as a function of the gospel when there are people that have faith that have not heard, or don't believe, the gospel.
Though some would argue that the Gospel message is exclusive, a case can be made that it is inclusive.
Open and available to all.
I think that case of inclusion can be made for every religion. They're all available to anyone.
The Bible seemingly talks of both extremes. Many are called yet
few chosen.
However....whosoever believes in Him shall not perish....
The Bible is a confusing mess of contradictions. You can find justification of almost anything in there.
Which leads to the question of how many were called and how many are chosen.
Perhaps initially, the Jews were called....then later everyone was called...and yet
who is chosen? (Could it be that the one who chooses is thus chosen?)
Yesterday's gospel, the 15th Sunday in ordinary time, contained the parable of the sowing of the seeds. Some landed on the path, some in weak dirt, and some in thorns, yet the ones who were sowed in good dirt thrived.
God's message is the seed and we are the dirt. If we don't provide it the conditions it needs to thrive, then it will die within us.
quote:
Hear then the parable of the sower.
The seed sown on the path is the one
who hears the word of the kingdom without understanding it,
and the evil one comes and steals away
what was sown in his heart.
The seed sown on rocky ground
is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy.
But he has no root and lasts only for a time.
When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word,
he immediately falls away.
The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word,
but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word
and it bears no fruit.
But the seed sown on rich soil
is the one who hears the word and understands it,
who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.
™ Version 4.2