Charles Templeton was a former evangelist who became agnostic and an atheist. See the link below.
Charles Templeton - Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Templeton
This poll was inspired by an interchange in the thread:
Once saved always saved (OSAS) debunked. Free Grace 2 in post 202 gives a resounding "yes" to this question. I found that interesting enough that I wanted to find out what other people thought.
You can of course opt out and "just let God make the decision," but maybe think about the implications that might have with assurance of salvation . . . ?
The question is was he truly saved in the first place? If he was born again, then his spirit is alive and his spirit cannot die. Eternal life is just that, eternal. What he will lose is his soul, which is the ability to express the new life within. This is what Lord Jesus meant by losing your life here and now to gain it in eternity.
Those who die backslidden will not enjoy the benefits of the Kingdom of God. They will have eternity to ponder the waste of their lives. That is true even if the individual maintains an outward appearance of Christianity.
It seems that the truth of the "second salvation" is rarely taught. I know that some denominations forbid it. I don't know why, it is in God's word. It is this lack that leads to confusion.
I am inclined to believe that he was not born again. It takes much more than an intellectual acceptance of facts to be born again. Many know about Christ. However, it is essential to know Christ, not just know about Him. When you know something, nothing can persuade you to change your mind. If all you have is mental assent, it is easy for someone or something to change your opinion.
Many fall for Satan's deception, which he used so successfully with Adam and Eve. "Has God said............?", casting doubt on God's word. It seems that Templeton listened to Satan's whispers. If he was born again, I doubt that he would have fallen into the trap. When I battled with similar issues, the Lord was able to speak to me because I was spiritually alive.
We will find out in due course. I do not accept that the failure of a few overturns the truth of God's word. The Bible is clear that there are two salvations. The first is eternal and based on what Christ has done for us. The second requires our active cooperation with the living Lord Jesus within. No Jesus, no life. Know Jesus, know Life.