Q2: Given the Biblical statements about "only through me will you find salvation" what happens to ....

Question

okay, the "quote" above isnt exact, because i dont happen to have a bible sitting right here next to me =) but i think anyone with any experience reading the bible knows what i'm referring to, and many other more specific verses stating, in essence: "if you dont believe in me/ accept me/ worship me/ follow me, etc. you're going to hell." now, the question here is, what happens to however many thousands, or perhaps millions of people have never heard of God ? or rather, havent had the opportunity to research, read the bible, and come to know him, due to circumstances of location (tribes of indigenous peoples in many remote locations with no outside contact), circumstance (at a young age, you suffer death before learning anything about god) intentional "suppression" (your government suppresses all spread and knowledge of christianity, for whatever reason) or a number of other circumstances, Do these people given a "free pass" to heaven? or spend eternity in hell hating God for his

"oversight" ?

oops, noticed a retarded looking grammatical error, replace "Do" with "Are they" in that last sentence =)

Answer 1

You can't reject what you don't know exists. Jesus died to take the punishment for our sins, and is it not fitting that if you reject him here on earth that he will reject you before the Father?

As for those who really NEVER heard of Jesus, God knows the heart. Were they good people, did they follow the moral code of their society, and would they have accepted Christ if given the opportunity?

Answer 2

Either Jesus was God or he was not. If he was, his message to humanity has been a colossal failure. First because so many people before he came had lived without benifiting from him -- and also during his life those outside of Palestine never had a chance to be "enlightened" by his preaching. Second because after he lived, still many people had no way of knowing anything about him for centuries, and some know nothing about him even now!

The American Indians were almost exterminated by the Christian conquistadors when they had the misfortune of getting to know of him! They were definitely better off in ignorance.

If Jesus was just a deluded mystic, he is simply one of many in the history of mankind. Today, anyone who would assert that he is God or the Son of God would have his head examined in an institution. Perhaps that's why we haven't had too many walking on water, multiplying loaves of bread, and resurecting in the last few hundred years.

Faith can be very tricky. Choose reason. It's more reliable.

Answer 3

Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Jesus said that we are to go into the entire world and teach every creature. Christians have a job to do teach. The world has a responsibility believe. Then the world has a task to do be baptized. If you have not or do not believe you are damned and if you have not accomplished the task of baptism you are damned. The word has been around for two millennia it has been translated into every written language on the planet. It is the most printed book on the planet and the most accessible book on the planet even the Chinese communist government is printing the Bible for distribution to the masses. If someone hasn’t heard the word then the fault stands on us all, and regrettably many will be lost.
We as humans seem to believe that we have a right to dictate to God our terms to enter into eternity with Him in heaven. Yet we forget it was God who created man and it is God who dictates the terms of service and hence the reward of service.

Matthew 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

1 Corinthians 3:8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.

Answer 4

To most people's infinite surprise - who don't have a Bible sitting beside them -
a) You are going to hell is not a judgement given.
b) No answer is offered about those who haven't heard.
c) We are definitely told that hell and judgement is not our concern or our privilege to sell admission rights to.
d) The best we can do at present is a hearty "God damn...." on those things that God does indeed need to damn and which we are quite incapable of.
Anyway - go find your Bible and try again to find a reason to be upset w/ God. Or better yet - find out why God is upset with us.

Answer 5

That is where the complete sovereignty of God comes in. God chooses or elects individuals for salvation, from every tribe, tongue and nation. It isn't dependent on a persons understanding or works, it is all dependent on God. He saves His people, and will not lose one. So, in essence, if there is a small tribe in some undeveloped area and there are elect people there, God will see to it that they hear the Gospel and respond.

Answer 6

Honestly, as a Christian that's a good question. I believe God doesn't need us to spread His message. I believe He can do all things, therefore God can be worshipped even in remote areas. Missionaries who first went to remote spots in Africa encountered some tribes completely cut off from Western culture worshipping God and Jesus. As a Christian though, God said it is my responsibility to help carry His message worldwide.

Answer 7

This puts things backwards as if somehow someone or a whole lot of someones might be cheated out of a chance they deserve. God is the one who is saving people and He has sent His Son as you point out. Jesus states that all who belong to Him He will not lose any. And so God sends His Word wherever He wants and brings about His purposes for sending it. None whom He has chosen will fail to be saved. Jesus is a savior, not a possibility.

Answer 8

very good question.

but thats what christians are for :)

god put us here to spread his word. a christian's job is to go out and speak god's good name to the nations. i realize many people won't ever have the oppurtunity to go to africa or asia or where these ppl may be, but you can indeed make a difference in your community. start with your next door neighbor if you have to.. maybe one day they will have the chance to go on a missions trip across the world.. and in doing that you help touch millions of lives.

but to answer your question yes they do go to hell.

and that puts their blood on our hands..
so get out there and preach it.

Answer 9

Many religions based around biblical teachings say that those who were never given a chance to hear of these ultimate truths will be given a 'trial period' in there afterlife; where they will be given a chance to learn of and accept 'Jesus', God, and the teachings of the 'bible'. They will then be judged according to their acceptance or denial of these teachings. Accepting and embracing these things will apparently give you pass into heaven and denying them bars your way to heaven.

Answer 10

The Bible says God will judge them based on the "light" they have been given.