I was reading "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe and it is set in Africa, just before the white Christians come to spread their "lunatic religion" (Achebe's quote). So what do Christians think happen to people who have or could not have had an opportunity to convert to Christianity? Do they believe they go to Hell?
2006-09-02 11:31:01 · 27 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Samuel J - I found it boring too, but hey, that's compulsory exam literature for you!
2006-09-02 11:38:45 · update #1
I DO REALISE "THINGS FALL APART" IS FICTION! Does that mean it's rubbish then, because its not strict facts?
2006-09-03 04:34:53 · update #2
When Jesus comes, He will judge the living and the dead, according to scripture. Of course you don't have to believe it, but that's what it says. Please forgive me for quoting the Bible to explain my faith. That's the only Book which does so.
2006-09-02 11:39:44 · answer #1 · answered by mia2kl2002 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some believe that after Jesus died on the cross he went to Hades, the abode of all the dead-Sheol in Old Testament-, and made himself known in order to give the residents there an opportunity to believe.
Some of the Calvinistic persuasion believe that those people who died without believing in the coming Messiah-whether because they had never heard of him, or did hear but did not accept the teaching that he was coming- will simply abide in the abode of the dead until Jesus returns, and then will spend eternity in hell. The rationale for this is that they were never among the elect. Had they been, they somehow would have heard about the Messiah, believed in him, and been assured a place in eternity with God and his chosen ones.
2006-09-02 11:40:51 · answer #2 · answered by Tynes 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Bible teaches that those people are without hope. That is why missions have always been so important to Christians.
Romans 2 "For there is no partiality with God. 12 For all who have sinned without the Law will also perish without the Law, and all who have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law; 13 for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified. 14 For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, 15 in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, 16 on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.
People without God's law will be judged on the basis of their own conscience and none will stand up to that standard, so all will perish.
2006-09-02 11:38:59 · answer #3 · answered by oldguy63 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I will tell you what I have been taught and what *I believe* take it for what it is worth to you......
The persons that died in the Old Testament were saved because they believed the prophecy of the Savior to come, (looking to the future) where Christians of today believe in the Savior that came, died for our sins and was resurrected. (looking at the past) Even though I am a Christian, I do have some questions about the tribes in the deepest part of Africa and I was told (by someone I deeply respect and trust) that missionaries have reached the majority of those places and witnessed to the people there. He has also said that God will not condemn those that don't know, they are covered by His grace, much like small children that haven't yet been taught about Him. I don't know how to PROVE that in any way because I can't find it in the bible, but it makes sense to me. :-)
2006-09-02 11:39:41 · answer #4 · answered by Nelita C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Daniel 12 :13 And as for you yourself, go toward the end, and will REST, but you will stand up for your lot at the end of the days.
Psalms 146:3 Do not put your trust in nobles, Nor in the son of earthling man, to whom no salvation belongs. His spirit goes out, he goes back to his ground, in that day his thought do perish.
John 5:28:29 Do not marvel at this, the day is coming, and it is now, when all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out.
The prophet with the 'heavenly call', are raised to immortal spirit life with Jesus, in the first resurrection at the beginning of the 1,000 year reign.
The rest of mankind are raised to a Paradise earth; Revelation20:11-15, some for life, and others for the second death. the Lake of Fire/Gehenna is the second death.
The Bible hell is the grave, man returns to dust. Greek mythology started the burning thing. Even Gehenna, for the Devil and his angels, which is fire, does consume them to eternal death, as eternal life is a gift of true loving Christians.
2006-09-02 11:41:27 · answer #5 · answered by tina 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God never wants any of us, His Creation, to go to Hell.
Whoever wrote that (above) just doesn't know much about
the Bible and those written about. Actually, before Jesus came
to earth, God was always there. So, the people worshipped God
and by that, it was made known who believed on Him and would
go to heaven, and those who didn't believe He probably did not
invite them into heaven. God even guided His people in a cloud
by day and a light by night. He's never abandoned us. Quit reading that fiction like Things Fall Apart. Not good for you as there
is no truth in it.
2006-09-02 11:43:47 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course not (not all of them anyway).
Thats why people should read the Bible more often. Jesus said:
Joh 5:25 "Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.
Joh 5:26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself.
Joh 5:27 And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man.
Joh 5:28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice
Always happy to help
BTW I hated that book All things fall apart (its a work of fiction).
2006-09-02 11:35:06 · answer #7 · answered by Samuel J 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
All of humanity, even those who haven't heard the Gospel, can see evidence of God's existence by simply looking at the amazing works of His hands. Romans 1:19-20 tells us this: "...that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power, and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse." Both of these thoughts seem important as we try to gain insight on the issue of salvation for those who, through no fault of their own, have never had an opportunity to receive Jesus as their personal Savior.
2006-09-03 14:13:27 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes they were in Hell! Jesus died and went down there took the people that were there that wanted to go with him and went to heaven where he sits on the right hand of the father! The ones that have NEVER had the chance to convert are innocent in God's eyes! They never had a chance so they are not responsible so he cleanses then and brings them in! very simple!
2006-09-02 11:37:38 · answer #9 · answered by crystal8345 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You need a good theologian:
Try Swedenborg, Emanuel.
Belief in God and living a good life saves.
Christians - the Bible states that the arm of the Lord is not too short to save.
Isa 59:1 Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.
2006-09-02 11:37:37 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The were sent to if I remember correctly Abrahams bossom, until Christ had been crucified and restored mankind to himself.
See an example of this in Luke 16:19-24. they were close enough that they could see and hear each other.
2006-09-02 11:50:24 · answer #11 · answered by setfreejn836 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋