Discussing Salvation with my Evangelical Friend

She and I are ever so carefully dipping our toes in the pool of religious discussion. Thankfully, we are both at pains not to insult each other, and that includes her making sure I know she is not trying to recruit me.

But I'm concerned that it's not a fair "fight." When I asked her why, if God is all-loving and Jesus died for the sins of the world, salvation wouldn't be universal, she had to ask a church person, who directed her to read Mere Christianity. Of which I have read a little, and she has read none. And that led me to mention an issue with Lewis's allegory in The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe - that his inclusion of a "deep, old magic" is an implicit admission that it doesn't make sense for a fully sufficient omnimax God to have to sacrifice himself.

Well, she was pretty quiet, and I got the distinct impression that the heathen nonbeliever over here has researched and thought about these questions a lot more than the devoted Christian who goes to Bible study regularly. I'm actually a little worried that I might deconvert her, which would be great in some ways, but would also throw her life into absolute upheaval.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised, but I was because in general this woman is extremely bright, inquisitive, and thoughtful. I just forgot that religious memes tend to cordon off certain areas from inquiry, regardless of how intelligent and skeptical someone is in other areas.

I will proceed, carefully and lovingly, to exchange information on the topic.