Vice President JD Vance has ignited a theological discussion among Christians by stating he is a "7 or an 8" out of ten confident in his prospect of reaching heaven. In a recent interview with Christian influencer Bryce Crawford, Vance also touched upon his conversion to Catholicism and his views on the possibility of living in "end times."
When asked by Crawford, a 22-year-old evangelical, about his confidence level regarding heaven, Vance responded, "It's high but it's not 10. It's a 7 or an 8." He elaborated that he "still occasionally have doubts like, is this actually real." Vance noted that his confidence level had increased from a year prior, when he rated himself a "5 or a 6."
His response prompted varied reactions within Christian communities. Some, like pro-life activist Steven Ertelt, asserted that confidence should be a "10" for those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their savior. Others, such as an X user identified as William Holt, expressed shock, suggesting Vance had not deeply studied the Bible and that salvation is not a "sliding scale."
However, many commenters indicated that Vance's perspective aligns with Catholic doctrine. An X user named Ann Marie commented, "I was raised Catholic and we were not taught the Gospel. It was Jesus plus our good behavior. Not faith in Jesus alone as Savior. That is why Catholics question their salvation." This sentiment reflects the historical stance of the Catholic Church, as evidenced by the Council of Trent in 1547, which condemned the idea that a believer could know with certainty of their salvation. The Catechism of the Catholic Church also lists presumption, the assumption of guaranteed salvation, as a sin against hope. Catholics are taught to hope for salvation while refraining from claiming absolute certainty, a position that often distinguishes Catholicism from many Protestant denominations that teach "assurance of salvation."
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During the interview, which also covered his 2019 conversion to Catholicism as detailed in his memoir "Communion," Vance addressed the topic of the "end times." He stated that while he "wouldn't be shocked if we are living in the end times," he finds it unhelpful to ruminate on the idea. Vance emphasized the importance of focusing on his responsibilities, including caring for his family and leading the nation. "What I'm trying to focus on is doing as much of God's work as possible right now," he said.
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Vance also commented on former President Donald Trump's earlier use of an AI-generated image depicting himself as Jesus. Vance explained that Trump initially intended the image to portray him as a doctor and removed it after facing criticism, even from loyalists. "He's a bit of a ballbuster... and he just likes to have a good time," Vance said, suggesting Trump's intention was not to offend but to maintain a lighthearted approach.
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