Christians: Do you think that Jews will go to Hell since they don't believe in Jesus?

Question

This is a serious question, aimed at the serious fundamentalist Christians. I don't want Bible quotes, because I think it shouldn't be taken literally. I think that believing in God is what's important, but I don't go to church (I feel there is no need) so I don't know what other Christians think about the subject. Does it depend on what religion you practice (Catholic, Methodist, ect.) or is the answer a general consensus among Christians in your opinion?

I also don't want any Athiests leaving responses saying God is a myth, Jesus is gay, or whatever other insults the majority of the ones on this site love to throw....but seeing how most of you can't help, do it if you want. It just proves me right.

Also, it's not like I've never been to church. I went to a First Baptist School when I was young, but they never touched on the subject. However, they made it seem like God should be the main focus.

*sigh*
I know Jesus was a Jew...do you know that Jews don't believe in Jesus? My girlfriend is Jewish...main reason I'm asking.

Again, my girlfriend IS Jewish. She told me they don't believe that Jesus was really God's son. They don't believe in the New Testament period..maybe this was the wrong place to ask.

***I know Jesus was Jewish***

So far it seems like the Catholics are the ones who are open minded on the subject and believe they won't...which changes my previous ideas about Catholicism.

Thanks to the people who are giving intelligent answers.

Answer 1

Hi James P,

I take you question seriously and offer the following. Historically, Christians were taught that heaven is for those who 'depart this life free from original sin and personal mortal sin, and who are, consequently, in the state of justice and friendship with God". Also taught are the concepts of Purgatory and Limbo. And then there are a whole bunch of neat concepts like only the 'blessed' can actually see God, yet no one can understand him, etc.

And of course, there is no concept that Jews will go to hell. According to cannon law, Jews, and anyone else who is not Baptized as a Christian is techniclly a 'heathen' (an archaic word, but not as bad as it sounds). And you may find it interesting to know that Christianity (what is commonly referred to today as Catholicism) considers the other 'christian religions' to also be heathens. Now this is all based on cannon law.

Many fundamentalists will inturpret bible scripture how they like. And many branches have their own biases based on demographic forces. You run into a lot of "I'm more Chirstian than you" attitudes which is directly counter to the teachings of Christianity.

But bottom line - Christians (Catholics) do not beleive that Jews go to hell. And if they do then they are not "good Christians".

Answer 2

If you don't want Bible quotes, you're in real trouble. You want opinion? That's shaky ground indeed. Sorry, I'll be giving you the Word of God.

There's a phrase in the Tanak (Old Testament) applied to Jews that died that they were "gathered unto their fathers". This is never applied to the unrighteous. Jews before Christ could certainly be saved, but it was made possible by Jesus sacrifice.

The righteous dead ascended with Jesus. Here's the verse: Matt 27:52-53 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. KJV

We know from Acts 4:12 that "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." KJV

There are many that never hear of Christ, or are wrongfully taught lies about Jesus like muslims or some Jews. These can still be saved, for the scripture says "the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:" Rom 1:20 KJV

Jesus said "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:" John 10:27 KJV

So if you are Christ's sheep, you will follow him whether or not you know or have heard his name.

So not all Jews will be saved, but not all Jews are damned either.

Answer 3

I always thought that everyone has an equal chance of going to heaven or hell. As a child, I grew up in a Church where Christians acted worser than pagans, so is not a matter of being a Christian, but a person with a good heart

I believe anyone that does according to the scripture and helps others will reach heaven, and not hell. God only knows if Jews will go to hell, after all; they did murder his son.

Answer 4

There is a man-made old testament of Genesis-Malachi, and the scriptural old testament; i.e. the law of Moses. The Jews were told to have two or more witnesses (about three times Deut. 10-20), and the Christians were given the same command (Matt. 18:16, 2 Cor. 13:1). When this concept is applied, one finds the 'old testament' is the law of Moses. My 'two or more witnesses' include Joshua (Joshua 8:31), David (2 Kings 2:3), Solomon (1 Kings 8:9), Nehemiah (Nehemiah 8:1), Daniel (Daniel 9:11-13), Malachi (Malachi 4:4)i, Jesus (Matt. 19:7-9), God the Father (Matt. 17; in effect he backs up whatever Jesus his Son says), and the apostle Paul. (The law is referred to as the old testament (KJV), many other English versions translate it as old covenant in 2 Cor. 3:13-14).
Be aware that the Jews do believe in Jesus; they just refer to his as 'Lord'. I could elaborate on that point; but I ask you to email me personnal if you want to look at it further especially for sake of the relationship between you and your girlfriend.

Answer 5

Jesus of Nazareth was born a jew and at 12 was still practicing the religion of his parents even though the family went to live in Egypt for a few years. At about his 30th birthday he was baptized,filled with the HOLY SPIRIT( the dove event) and became the Savior(CHRIST) assisting 12 young jewish men to become Apostles,after the in-filling of the HOLY SPIRIT on the Pentacost comemoration day. God said Follow my Son! no fooling around(arguing to get around it)

Answer 6

There is no general consensus among Christians, since it is one of those issues that are a matter of conscience and a matter of how you understand and live your own faith.
I was raised Catholic, and I believe that God is a lot more tolerant than we give him credit for. Ergo, I don't think that non-christians, especifically jews, will go to hell for being non-christian.
Also, wouldn't the notion of jews burning in hell, at least for catholics, be outdated? after all, Pope John Paul II did apologize to the jewish community for all the crap inflicted upon them by the catholic church. In fact, outside of fundamentalists, hardly anyone makes those judgements on other people's religious beliefs.
Christian fundamentalism baffles me. I can't understand why, in a religion that is predicated upon love for our neighbors, there are people who embrace and represent precisely the opposite.

Answer 7

well, the jews are God chosen people,( though many didn't except Jesus as the son of God then(biblical days) as well as now) some jews do believe in Jesus and are Christians, i also believe that know one comes to the Father except thru the Son. you say you believe in God but do you believe Jesus is the Son of God? you should really consider getting in a good church that will teach you the Word of God.

Answer 8

I am always intrigued by the answers that appear here to questions like yours inquiring of Christian beliefs. You can get 20 answers with nearly 20 different answers, many citing the bible as their support. The answers to your question follow that pattern. Many can't even agree on whether Jesus was a Jewish. I would suggest you concentrate you efforts to your present life on earth and not rely on heaven or hell. You can make your own heaven or hell here and now.

Answer 9

No James, I don't think all the Jewish people will go to Hell. If you think back to the old testament, it fortells the coming of a messiah that will save the world from sin and death. I believe that the Jewish people who trust in our God and who believe in the scriptures won't go to hell because they trust that God will find a way to get them to heaven. Its like they already have faith that God will send them a messiah(savior) but they don't realize that it was Jesus.

Answer 10

God gave Moses 10 commandments that we were to live by. If we live by these then it doesnt matter what religion we are, Jewish,Muslim,Christian.then we will enter heaven. People do forget that Jesus was Jewish and he did not give up his religion for christianity. He practiced his faith, attended the temple as a Jew not a christian. Not once in all his teachings did he condem the Jewish people. He told us if we lived by Gods Law then Heaven was there for us. What religion we are doesnt matter aslong as we live by GODs law.