Is accepting Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior the only way to attain salvation?

Question

If Jesus is the only way to salvation, what about the countless number of people who never knew anything about the name or concept of Christ? I am referring to the people of the world who lived during the approximately 8000 years of our history that preceeded the birth of Christ some 2000 years ago. Or also the native peoples indigenous to the Americas who never knew the name Christ until roughly 500 years back when the white man arrived and massacred them in the name of Christ. Am I to believe that this overwhelmingly large number of people never had even the slightest chance of attaining salvation or enlightenment, no possibility to achieve and earn some sort of heavenly afterlife or spiritual rest? That seems pretty unfair to me.

Answer 1

You're right, it is unfair and unbelievably ethnocentric.
This line of reasoning that you're talking about is one of the things that led me to question, and eventually reject, my faith.
I'm not saying you should reject yours, but I think you are right to question these types of things.
If you question them, and decide that they are wrong, then you've learned something, and if you question them and decide for yourself that your faith is still valid, then at least you've come to this conclusion consciously, which is more than most people can say. Either way, you have nothing to lose but that which was already weak, and everything to gain.

If you want to discover what (I think is) the real cause for people saying these kinds of things, look for where the power lies: who is saying these things, compared to who is and historically has been in power? usually it's the same people. Also, look for who benefits from beliefs like these: again, usually the people in power issuing these statements. The European conquest of the Americas is a perfect example: by simultaneously decimating and converting Native Americans, not only were they removing opposition to their colonization, they were building their own power base and getting a lot of people to do their work (farming, construction, serving, etc) for them for basically free.
Scary, huh?

Answer 2

If Christ Jesus is NOT the only way to the Heavenly Father, then Jesus is a liar; b/c He is the one who said, " I am the way ... no-one comes to the Father but through me. " And if Jesus is a liar, there is no sense trusting in Him for anything. As for it making Christians feel superior, how can one feel superior about admitting their sinfulness and need of a Savior? What it's supposed to do is give us an incentive to share the Gospel w/ everyone, b/c the Scripture says God's desire is for ALL people to be saved.

Answer 3

You make up a concept and then base a religion around it and say it's the only way to get there. So jesus is the only way to salvation, buddah is the way to enlightenment, and Odin is the way to Valhalla - but if you're not aiming for or believe in any of those things, it doesn't matter.

Answer 4

As an Asatruar I have to say "What the H**L did you do that you need salvation????" Why would anyone think that one man, long dead, could grant them this 'salvation'? Salvation from what, exactly?

Wow. I am SO glad every time I see things like this that I am not one of those weird middle eastern religions.

~Morg~
ETA: Eri, Odinn is not the way to the Valhall. The Valkyrie are the choosers of the slain and they only choose those who have died honorably in battle. They take half to Odinn and half to Freja. Remember, there is more than one realm for the dead in Asatru. There are several. Worship of Odinn is not considered necessary to go to Valhalla in any event. Many people who are not warrior worship Odinn, you know.

Answer 5

Jesus is the only way to salvation. As for the people before Jesus or who haven't heard of him, God looks at the heart. People, like King David in the Bible, who's heart was right with God would go to heaven.

John 14:6
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

1 Samuel 16:7
"....... but the LORD looks at the heart."

Answer 6

Yes.

Psalm 19:1. "The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands." We are surrounded by fantastic displays of God's craftmanship -- the heavens give dramatic evidence of his existence, his power, his love, his care. Its design, intricacy, and ordliness point to a personally involved creator.

Psalm 97:6. "The heavens declare His righteousness, and all the peoples have seen His glory.

Romans 1:20 says, "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and devine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse." Does anyone have an excuse for not believing in God? The bible answers an emphatic no. God has revealed what he is line in and through his creation. Every person, therefore, either accepts or rejects God. Don't be fooled. When the day comes for God to judge your response to him, no excuses will be accepted.

Answer 7

I agree with you and cannot believe a just God requires "acceptance" of an individual to go to heaven. And I have difficultly believing that nothing else would matter. Even Revelation states that many would call Jesus' name, and he would say, "get away from me, I never knew you." Besides, "faith without works is dead."

Answer 8

Contrary to belief, it is God who does the saving. You can't just say "I want Jesus to save me" and it's done. It's a metamorphesis of the soul and quite an uplifting experience. You don't have to accept Jesus, it may just happen and you will know when Jesus has came into your heart.

Answer 9

It is the only way to attain salvation if you are interested in being a Christian.

Non-Christians have their own spiritual paths and don't care about "salvation," as it is irrelevent to their beliefs.

Answer 10

Unfair to who? If you set up fixed ideas and concepts you get these sorts of anomalies. Loosen up and just go with the flow. Keep taking the pills you'll be OK!