As a sensible Christian, how would you answer this question?

Question

You're out, minding your own business when suddenly you're the victim of violent crime. An innocent passerby who happens to be atheist runs to your defense and, while saving your life, gets killed. You're alive. He's dead. Did he just go to hell?

I'm not expecting too many answers but thank you in advance for those of you who attempt it.

Also, as always, if you get thumbs-down, they didn't come from me. I don't do the thumbs-down thing. Thanks again.

Answer 1

My answer doesn't count.

I am absolutely flabbergasted by many of these answers. Thank you for solidifying my stance as an agnostic.

Answer 2

If Christianity is true, then yes.

So most exegetes of determining texts would say, like John 16:4, etc.

This raises a problem of evil, particularly the problem of hell, and very acutely (which means this is a well thought out question).

So, otherwise stated, the problem is, "Why would God, who is all-good, all-knowing, all-powerful, send an atheist who just saved my life to hell?"

The force of the problem depends on us seeing no reason for Him doing this and many reasons for Him not doing it.

I think often a proper understanding of what Heaven actually is helps in problems of hell. Heaven is, essentially, where God is experienced and enjoyed. An atheist, if his whole life is used as an indicator, would not like being in God's presence. In that case God has a reason for allowing the atheist to remain outside of His presence. Which is what Hell, essentially, is.

That's a start, and should by no means be satisfactory. Read up on this, some Christian philosophers are doing good work on the problem of evil (like Plantinga, Peter Van Inwagen, etc.).

Holding the Christian faith reasonably is not at odds with taking these problems seriously. There are answers.

Answer 3

According to the Christian worldview, yes, he did. I think people all have a right to defend themselves, especially our laws tell us so. Now, if you choose to allow yourself to be hurt rather than him, and you are convinced that is the right thing to do, that would be a very good thing. But if you either made the wrong decision at the heat of the moment and killed him, etc., there's a good chance you'd be justified anyhow.

The crux of the issue is that the the other guy is also a free agent endangering his own life. So that would be the short answer. Even for Christians, these issues aren't cut and dried because God would look at the heart of both parties who committed those acts, and we would never know the full story.

Answer 4

Well, saving a life by happenstance doesn't necessarily mean his heart was good... but it seems like he had the love, if he was willing to help.

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

Said atheist will have to be baptized by representation, by a living person, as Paul referred to: "Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?" That baptism will of course require a corresponding submission on the part of the dead person, who in death will potentially be freed from the misinformation that blinded him in life.

This means he'll have to be taught, in the next world... So Jesus, after he died, visited the "imprisoned" dead -- why? To set the prisoners free.

"For Christ... being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; Which sometime were disobedient..."

I must say, the version of Christianity that would rather send good, upright people to hell is a total farce. Jesus came to save the world, not send it all to hell.

Answer 5

that is a really confusing question. i'm christian obviously. i don't wanna say that they went to hell but i think that's the truth. even though the person just saved your life, they don't believe in Jesus Christ, so therefore, i don't think they'd go to heaven. i feel so sick by saying that cuz i'm not God. and no worries about the thumbs down thing. i don't care when ppl do that to me. but that's a good question. props. you must be christian too, right? if so, and if you chose this as a best answer, i'm curious, what would you do???

Answer 6

I certainly hope not. I know this may not be the most acceptable response to say, but if he was not dead yet, and said he knew he was dying but didn't believe in God, I'd ask him to just for once in what was left in the few moments of his life, receive Christ before he went into eternity. Of course, I'd be on my cell phone calling 911 and trying desperately everything I could to keep him alive. That would truly be a sad situation to experience.

Answer 7

I'm not a mainstream Christian so my answer would be no. If there is a hell at all I think that you would have to be along the lines of a Hitler, or John Wayne Gasey to earn your way there. I can't believe that just being an Atheist will land you in hell. What kind of God would allow that?

Answer 8

Unfortunately, he went to hell. Salvation is by FAITH and not by works. The Bible says that all throughout the New Testament. That's what makes it different than other religions...with other religions your good deeds must obey your bad deeds etc. You have to do good to get to heaven. With Christianity, all you have to do is believe and have faith in Jesus. That's why I don't understand why people complain about how the Bible says you must be to get to heaven...all you have to do is have faith and not work for it as with other religions...it's the easiest...there's no reason to complain about it. If good works got people to heaven, we'd all be in hell because it's impossible to PERFECTLY keep the law. That's why the Bible says that Jesus came to fulfill the law so that we don't live by legalism any more. So even if the atheist who got killed trying to save you, could be saved by law instead of Jesus, he'd STILL go to hell because of any bad deeds in his life. The only way to get to heaven (and simplest way, if there were other ways) is to believe. Jesus gave His life for us...we should give ours to Him and accept His love and His sacrifice. It's really just a matter of, if you accept His sacrifice, you have nothing to worry about...but if you don't accept His sacrifice, you do. What can you expect for not accepting the gift of salvation that is practically handed to you...?

Answer 9

As a sensible Christian I would first need to consult my Bible to see what Christ said about such a thing. If that answer was too confusing, I would speak to my clergy. I might even read a book or pamphlet on the subject and I would most certainly pray for guidance.

Seeing as how there are so few "sensible Christians" I would say that any given Christian would probably answer "You bet he's in H-E-double hockey sticks. Dirty Athiest".

Answer 10

I believe that everyone goes through at least a short period in Purgatory to cleanse any sins you haven't yet repented of. Likewise, I believe that only the Sons of Perdition will be cast into Outer Darkness forever - and it takes a lot to be a Son of Perdition.

In this particular case, the atheist will not be denied his reward just because of the lack of his belief. (I believe God works on a reward system instead of punishment)

Answer 11

This is a noble action, of the noblest kind: sacrificing one's life for the well-being of others. God is certainly a God of justice, but mainly he is a God of love and Mercy. My friend: The judegement always belongs to God, what YOU can and must do as a sensible Christian is to pray for Him continuously to the Father. Remember the verse that goes: "God does not will the sinner to die but to live forever"

and "Men judge according to appearance, but God looks into the heart"
Also remember the parable of the good Samaritan: "Who was trully that men"s brother?"

God wants all in heaven, if only we would heed to His voice, we would open our mouths and He would fill them"

God bless you and all here