THE ANONYMOUS CHRISTIAN Chris discusses the historic influence of a twentieth century Jesuit theologian named Karl Rahner, who greatly influenced the philosophy behind Vatican Council II and is best known for his concept of the "anonymous Christian." But exactly what is an anonymous Christian? According to Rahner, it was someone who had no direct knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but was somehow saved through Christ ... without knowing it. Is such an idea truly possible? Or can it only be called rank heresy? The Scripture tells us that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. How could someone have saving faith in a teaching they have never heard? While his name is certainly not well known among modern believers in America, Karl Rahner is said by some to be one of the most influential figures on modern theology, especially in the Church of Rome.