If someone is born in a small village in the jungles of South America and lives their entire life without ever hear anything about God and the Bible, will that person go to hell? Why or why not?
2007-05-08 09:22:19 · 31 answers · asked by trzljunk 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Good question. I wondered that myself as a child in Sunday school when I was taught that only accepting Jesus in your heart will keep you out of hell. I've never heard a reasonable answer on this issue, at least from Christians who take the Bible literally. Also, if ignorance granted you automatic entrance into heaven, why not keep the good news secret so everyone can go?
2007-05-08 09:28:41 · answer #1 · answered by Graciela, RIRS 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is no direct answer but the Bible does say that people who knowingly reject the Gospel will be judged more severly. Also if someone goes around doing bad things despite their God-given conscience, not knowing the Gospel isn't going to excuse them from judgement because they will be judged based on what they know. That doesn't mean however that unknowing souls are automatically saved, since people aren't condemned only after they reject the gospel but are condemned because they are sinners who need the gospel of salvation. Some people believe that this means unknowing souls might receive a less severe punishment, but not salvation. Otherwise, it would be better off if no one ever heard the gospel at all.
2007-05-08 16:43:01 · answer #2 · answered by Joe S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God is omni present.Everywhere! We worry about things far past finding out. There are people right close to you and others that do not know God and often if they look at us they can not tell if the Spirit is in us. We are so judgmental! There are people that hear the word of God and know the Bible backwards and forwards. Eyes but they can not see,ears but they can not hear. Will that person go to hell? Ever learning and hearing and never coming to understanding the things of God. It could be the small jungles of the inner city! Are the great jungles of the suburbs!
2007-05-08 16:41:57 · answer #3 · answered by God is love. 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus Christ said that "no man comes to the Father but by Me" and "unless a man be born again of water and the Spirit (i.e. baptized) He cannot enter the kingdom" so this is what Christians believe about the non-baptized.
The reason one cannot enter the kingdom is because of original sin. We are all born in this damnable condition - whether we are from New Jersey or Java.
True, a man in the furthest jungle may not have a chance to be baptized, but there are still two problems:
1. He still carries the stain of original sin
2. He is not an "unknowing soul." Every person knows in his heart that God exists and is given a conscience to discern right and wrong, so he is accountable for his actions. (see Romans Chapter 1)
We should therefore pray for all of those who have not heard the Gospel...and also make a special effort to spread the Gospel so that we won't have scenarios like the one you describe.
2007-05-08 16:27:30 · answer #4 · answered by Veritas 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I don't believe that God would judge an unknowing soul. If a person dies without having the choice to choose Jesus Christ as his/her personal saviour I believe they will go to heaven. It would be evil of God not to give them a choice. But at one point in history, every knee will bow and every tounge will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. All will have the Choice to make. I don't know how every person will find out but the Bible says it is true so I believe it. A child or baby that dies goes to heaven because they haven't had the choice to make yet. Same goes for the South American in the jungle. That is my story and I'm stikin' to it :)
2007-05-08 16:31:11 · answer #5 · answered by Kaliko 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Bottom line is that who ever you are or wherever you are is that we have choices to make, and things we do and say will come back to us and it does not matter if you are a true believer because we will be judged on our actions. It makes it worse if you are a true believer because you already know better. I would much rather be an ignoramus. But they believe in God or Gods in the jungle and it is the same God, just not as complex.
2007-05-08 16:31:41 · answer #6 · answered by teamjesus_ca 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Interesting question, this very issue is the subject of a cd, Tommy by the Who, also a movie, and musical. It tells the story of a kid who is born deaf dumb and blind and can not recieve Christ's message. If you get the cd be patient and remember, the music is forty years old. There is some good lyrics and music ; very philosophical.
2007-05-08 16:32:59 · answer #7 · answered by Tim O 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your deep sense of fairness and right that is making you ask this question came from God.
Would not the one who invented fairness and Justice be fair and Just?
We cannot be more fair and Just than the one who invented fairness and Justice.
The fact that you sense it would be unfair to condemn this person is your answer.
If you view God as a real person it's a lot easier.
2007-05-08 16:42:49 · answer #8 · answered by maks 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is not that persons fault that they did not get the word preached to them, that fault lies on those that have heard the word and do not get the word to them. as for that person going to hell will depend on the mercy and justice of God and if that person lived a good life because we will all be judged by the lives we lived in this life.
2007-05-08 16:30:19 · answer #9 · answered by Dean D 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
God knows what is in the person's heart. You make the choice to be either good or bad. I'm certain he judges everyone fairly.
2007-05-08 16:30:35 · answer #10 · answered by Cresha B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋