As a Christian, I will admit that I have not read the Bible as much as I should but I was wondering if someone could tell me what happens to those who are never exposed to God. I mean if I grew up in an underdeveloped country where God was never spoke of I would never be able to establish a relationship with him. How does God view this situation and what is their path in the afterlife. Thank you for your help with this question as I am sure there is a simple answer.
2007-02-28 17:00:53 · 21 answers · asked by doug F 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I don't want to say that I don't read the Bible. I am just saying that I don't read the Bible as much as I should. I have a strong Christian relationship with the Lord and ask not to be belittled for being uneducated but rather recieve positive feedback as this is a question that many Christians have and from the looks of it provide many various yet well supported answers.
2007-02-28 17:17:15 · update #1
good question, I would advise you to read Romans chapter 1. In this chapter it tells us, ALL know of God's existence. There are no atheists or agnostics. "His invisible qualities and divine nature has been clearly understood by what has been made so men are without excuse" Meaning, creation reveals a creator. Somthing never came from nothing, a building reveals a builder, a painting reveals a painter, so creation reveals a creator. To say otherwise would be nonsense. So God has shown himself to us by the creation externally. God also has made himself known internally. We have a moral conscience. We can tell what is right and what is wrong or good and evil. Why do I have this? Why is there a "voice" in my head that tells me right from wrong? The Bible says that God has placed his law (10 commandments) on our heart, our conscience bearing witness so we are without excuse. This is called "general knowledge". Some people have "specific knowledge" ie the coming of Jesus and the Bible but not everyone knows of Jesus or has read the Bible so these people fit in the "general knowlege" category. God will not send a person to hell for not knowing who Jesus is, He would only send that person to hell if they rejected the knowledge that they have been given. We know God has a standard that we don't live up to we need to humble ourselves before God and say God have mercy on me a sinner. There will be 2 kinds of people in the end, those who say "your will be done" and those who say "my will be done"
2007-02-28 17:19:19 · answer #1 · answered by Ryan K 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The Bible tells us God is a just God. In that, I do not have to know how he decides to judge those who never heard the Gospel. I do know if he called someone to preach to some people who would recieve the Gospel and that person refused to go and preach, he will give an account before God for these souls. It would be like sending a Emergency Medical technition to save lives and he refuses.., what then would a Judge do with that man who could have saved people and refused. See what Im talking about?
Again - God being Just - he has sent out the gospel, and many refuse it. Those will be judged, but not by me. As for those who died and never had that opportunity - I can only assume God (who created the heavens and the earth and all things therein) has the wisdom to judge where we do not.
2007-02-28 17:41:42 · answer #2 · answered by Victor ious 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This time is for the preaching of God's word and telling people about God's Kingdom and how it will bring God's will to the earth. God says if humans fail to do this fully, he will make the rocks cry out--therefore giving everyone a fair chance to learn about him and his wonderful provisions for mankind. As for those who died before this time and never had a chance to learn about him, they will be resurrected during the resurrection of "the righteous and the unrighteous". After they are brought back to life, they will be taught and have the opportunity to choose to do God's will and accept the provision which was made for our salvation through his son, Jesus Christ.
2007-02-28 17:21:04 · answer #3 · answered by Sparkle1 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Bible does not cover this well. But as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ LDS. They cover it very well, after they die they will go to the spirit world and as spirits will be subject to missionary's as well. The LDS church also does baptism's for the dead, as a lot of those ordnance's have to be done on this earth.The people who have those ordnance's done in proxy for them. then have the right to take or refuse those ordnance's. That is why there are so many people doing family history. We also believe this will go on until every one who lived will have the opportunity to the blessings either on this earth or in the spirit world.
2007-02-28 17:53:34 · answer #4 · answered by saintrose 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mankind rejected God... repeatedly... from the very begining... God has not compleatly written off manknd... but two thousand years ago He provided The Last chance mankind will ever be given to return to Him. Only those individuals who manage to find The Way and come to God in The Way He prescribes will enter heaven... it is up to those who have found The Way, and who have come to God as He prescribes, to offer The Good News of The Way to the world... it is an ongoing task... but it will never be compleated... there will always be those, a majority, who will continue to reject God.
2007-02-28 17:17:24 · answer #5 · answered by idahomike2 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You may not been expose to God, but now you know, You need to get in a church with a good foundation with good bible teaching. By all mean study the bible for yourself. God will not hold this against you.
2007-02-28 17:06:07 · answer #6 · answered by blesshisname2005 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Each are Judged according to what they have done with the available aid and guidance, and one's own self is sufficient for the entirely honest, for God has placed signs and evidences in each person. St. Paul has affirmed this in his letters.
The Holy Spirit has never been, nor can be withheld, though the material appearances are not always fully apparent.
2007-02-28 17:10:54 · answer #7 · answered by Gravitar or not... 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well, the Bible says that they are without excuse. Unfortunately their previous generations didn't do a very good job in passing it down to them and they have indeed cursed their generations for years to come. That is why missionary work is so important. The Bible says the things of God or clearly seen through his creation and anyone, even if not exposed to Christ, should've known there was a higher power.
It is in Romans 1:20 For 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:
2007-02-28 17:08:46 · answer #8 · answered by Miss Momma 4 · 3⤊ 3⤋
There are no such people. God's elect were determined before the universe was created. If you are among the elect, you will be drawn through the grace of God to redemption.
2007-02-28 17:43:06 · answer #9 · answered by Ask Mr. Religion 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hmm. Maybe we could say "not exposed to spiritual instruction" since God is something we all agree on (except atheists). I saw the impact of my stepkids not being taught spiritual principles or anything about God and they were shallow, petulant, spoiled, and ungrateful.
I think it's hard for Him knowing that there are people He can never get to because they have no frame of reference for Spirit. I think he forgives them - it is not their fault if they were never told.
2007-02-28 17:09:38 · answer #10 · answered by justbeingher 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋