Religion and Society
2007-02-20 10:09:12 · 25 answers · asked by Brandon H 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
All people are accountable to God whether they have “heard about Him” or not. The Bible tells us that God has clearly revealed Himself in nature (Romans 1:20) and in the hearts of people (Ecclesiastes 3:11). The problem is that the human race is sinful; we all reject this knowledge of God and rebel against Him (Romans 1:21-23). Apart from God's grace, God would give us over to the sinful desires of our hearts, allowing us to discover how useless and miserable life is apart from Him. This He does for those who reject Him (Romans 1:24-32).
In reality, it is not that some people have not heard about God. Rather, the problem is that they have rejected what they have heard and what is readily seen in nature. Deuteronomy 4:29 proclaims, “But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul.” This verse teaches an important principle: everyone who truly seeks after God will find Him. If a person truly desires to know God, God will make Himself known.
The problem is, “there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God” (Romans 3:11). People reject the knowledge of God that is present in nature and in their own heart, and instead decide to worship a “god” of their own creation. It is foolish to debate the fairness of God sending someone to hell who never had the opportunity to hear the Gospel of Christ. People are responsible to God for what God has already revealed to them. The Bible says that people reject this knowledge, and therefore God is just in condemning them to hell.
Instead of debating the fate of those who have never heard, we, as Christians, should be doing our best to make sure that they hear. We are called to spread the Gospel throughout the nations (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8). The fact that we know people reject the knowledge of God revealed in nature must motivate us to proclaim the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. Only through accepting the Gospel of God’s grace through the Lord Jesus Christ can people be saved from their sins and rescued from an eternity apart from God in hell.
If we assume that those who never hear the Gospel are granted mercy from God, we will run into a terrible problem. If people who never hear the Gospel are saved…we should make sure that no one ever hears the Gospel. The worst thing we could do would be share the Gospel with a person and have him or her reject it. If that were to happen, he or she would be condemned. People who do not hear the Gospel must be condemned, or else there is no motive for evangelism. Why run the risk of people possibly rejecting the Gospel and condemning themselves – when they were previously saved because they had never heard the Gospel?
2007-02-20 12:31:36 · answer #1 · answered by Freedom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A complete answer would require a good background in soteriology and we don't have the space for that here.
The short answer is that no one is born a non-believer. People freely choose to not to believe or to not know. Ever wonder why? Because God's revelation is imprinted on us all. A person cannot look around and not see the hand of a creator at work. One can complain about organized religion, all the bad religious people you have met, etc., but in the end none of us can claim we have an excuse for not believing that some higher moral authority exists beyond ourselves.
Hence, God's revelation in the world and in our minds is sufficient for us to make a choice, no matter where we live on this planet. God's perfect love and justice requires that He respect that choice as well.
2007-02-20 10:27:26 · answer #2 · answered by Ask Mr. Religion 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All countries, in fact over 235 lands are now receiving the good news of God's Kingdom and free home Bible studies are offered to all people in these countries. By the time Armageddon begins, all people will have been given the opportunity to know the true God and observe his commandments.
Only a small number of anointed Christians receive heavenly life where they will rule as associate kings, priests and judges with Jesus who is now ruling as King in his Father's heavenly government.
All those who are not chosen to rule over the earth, will have the hope of residing forever on it. (Psalm 37:9-11)
2007-02-20 10:26:15 · answer #3 · answered by Micah 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What about the Americans and the British, the oil rich and sin rich of the high tech world that have no idea? God's spirit is at work among the poor and persecuted of the third world; more than it is in the feel-good, rich and progressive money nations.
2007-02-20 10:24:26 · answer #4 · answered by Tommy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you believe in the Bible it plainly states that all people in the entire world will hear the gospel before the end of time. That is why we have missionaries.. There are very few countries that have not been exposed to the gospel in some form.
2007-02-20 10:22:06 · answer #5 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Those that truly have never heard will be saved. But, God says the world will all have had a chance to know before Jesus comes again. So, we dont have to worry about it. Same with people that are so retarded and cant understand.. they will be like little babies and not have to go thru Judgement. Our God is a fair God and a just God. Be praying all we come to know the Lord and accept Him before they die or Jesus comes again, whichever comes first. cuz, then its too late.
2007-02-20 10:13:24 · answer #6 · answered by full gospel shirley 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
More specifically you have to believe in Jesus as the savior which descriminates against all the other religions and makes sure your money is going to christianity. I would have said you have to be a good person to get into heaven but nooooooo. Aparently the church cares more about where your money is going than how you live your life.....
2007-02-20 10:15:06 · answer #7 · answered by jasong25 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
All tribes and nations will eventually hear the Gospel. They will die like the rest of us and await judgement, those who did know God, and did the deeds, will have some comfort from the shoel, but eventually everyone will come to know that God is Lord.
2007-02-20 10:13:42 · answer #8 · answered by ♫O Praise Him♫ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People from 3rd world countries believe in a divine entity...and thats all that matters..
Christians need to step down off of their high horses and realize their truth isn't for everybody!!
2007-02-20 10:13:22 · answer #9 · answered by iColorz 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God is always fair and just.
You worry about the people 3rd world countries.
Do you worry about yourself, here, today?
If you think God would leave anyone out, then you need to think about a bigger God to worship.
2007-02-20 10:20:00 · answer #10 · answered by Bobby Jim 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋