Why have Christians ruined it for so many?

Question

Most Christians believe that if one has heard of Jesus, and does not believe he is the savior, then they will go to Hell.

But most people throughout history and over the world were raised in cultures that did not believe in Jesus. They may have heard a sentence or two, but never got the full picture, so how could they ever find him?

But they have heard a little and of course do not believe from that, that he is the son of God. So now they will go to Hell.

With that in mind, wouldn't it have been better for the first Christians to remain as quite as possible about Jesus (since the vast majority of people will never be convinced)?

Oh, and I lived in Asia for a few years and I know that most people there barely have a clue who Jesus was.

no1home2 - I really don't believe that. I could equally say that God has sent me a Christian, a Muslim, a Hindu, a Buddhist and a few others to show me the way (I wouldn't know which one to chose).

The question was supposing a certain reality for rethorical purposes.

Answer 1

To any person who is honestly seeking God, God will reveal Himself.

Having had God's "revelation" does not necessitate "salvation", but rather whether or not a person acts on what he or she learns about God. ("Knowledge = Responsibility")

The problem is that there is no one who is actually searching to find and know God - they just simply go through their daily routine blindly accepting what they are taught.

You would be surprised, if you were actually allowed to watch everyone on judgement day as they parade past God one at a time, just how many times God DID knock on their hearts door, but the person just turned a deaf ear!

God will not send ANY body to hell who does not truly deserve it. (Just make sure you understand GOD'S infinite and eternal perspective before you are quick to say that this person or that person doesn't deserve it - from YOUR stand point, perhaps).

Now I have a question for you - since you know these things, since your own words demonstrate that you realize that anybody who does not believe in Jesus as their Savior will go to hell, then what are you doing about it?

If you know that there are people in other countries that have heard little to none about God, but you don't bring them the message of God's Love, what does that say about YOU?

Will you be part of the solution and receive God's infinite grace and mercy and pardon as bought for you by Jesus Christ when He gave His own life as a ransom for YOURS? Or will you continue to be part of the problem?

Answer 2

The message of the Gospel is quite simple. God loves you. God has a plan for you. God wants to be the focus of your life. But. God is just, he will not tolerate sin. He has laid out very clearly what he considers sin. He is God. He makes the rules. Now it is up to you. You have been told about God. You have heard the message. You must make up your own mind. To accept Gods Love, or to reject his love. To spend eternity with Him or to spend eternity without him. That is what hell is at the heart of the matter. Eternal separation from God. No living person has ever experienced that separation, because at this point there is no where you can be that his spirit isn’t. But one day that will not be the case. The choice is up to you. BTW, yes it would have been much simpler if the first Christians had remained quite, many where killed for their faith, but they , just as we are today are commanded to go and tell the good news.

Answer 3

It is part of our belief to take the word unto the world....for whosoever believes (accepts Jesus) has everlasting life but he that does not is condemned (to go to hell) I wish I could say it more gentle but that is what is in the Bible and that is what a Christan knows to be true. I know is sounds harsh but that is why people have Jesus---Savior and that means saves those that want to be saved.
The Bible also states that Jesus will come in the second coming when all the world has heard the word of God ( where you aware that China did not allow this to happen and they would usually kill those preaching the truth) now the word is reaching (or is being preached in locations that never had access to it) those that have never heard about Jesus and once the whole world has heard then will Jesus come and people are not going to enjoy what is going to happen.
God will not send anyone to hell it is people's own actions that will lead them to hell---separation from God. Even the worst sinner (any one that has done evil things) can go to Heaven it only take repentance. And I agree that people will not be convinced however we only have to say the truth it is up to them to accept or reject and then they can only blame themselves for going to hell. Who will they blame you or me for not hearing about God?

Answer 4

I understand what you mean by un-answered prayer, but when you pray dont expect a voice to tell you the answer, or some miracle sign to happen. (Dont get me wrong miracles do happen) Also dont judge god just because of "christians" lots of people claim to be christians or catholics etc etc but sometimes there just as lost as others. You cant always believe that whoever claims to be religious or christian has a relationship with god, they can prove it a little though.... alright you can tell if what they do glorifies god or not. Like if i tell you that i shower every day and i stink you wont believe me right? (i hope not :) So if they dont act "good" then there probably not with god (butwe all make mistakes) so dont not trust god because of them and dont judge all christians according to the ones you met. Try and grow in your faith by reading the bible and more prayer. Dont excpect a voice...dont excpect a immediate result you have to totally belive and trust in him. You wouldnt want to prove something to someone who didnt trust you right? Just keep on moving! YOU have to pursue god! :) OH BTW YES THEY DO RUIN HIS REPUTATION!

Answer 5

I agree, that doctrine that "everyone who hasn't accepted Jesus during their mortal life is damned to hell" is not fair. It's not just and it's not merciful. It's not even nice. I can understand how atheists who hear christians teach that doctrine can say "If that's how god is, I don't want any part of him." I agree. But I don't believe that's how God is. I believe He is perfect and loving and fair, and He would never go along with a plan that dooms the vast majority of His children to eternal suffering.

Answer 6

I do not hold the belief that those who do not have the opportunity to receive the word of God are condemned to Hell. I believe that those who have not had the chance to hear the Gospel in this life, will be given a chance in the next. I also believe that ordinances for the dead such as baptism may also be preformed by proxy for those who have accepted the Gospel, but have not been baptized. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Answer 7

I believe that anybody can go to heaven - if there really is anything at all like heaven - and I know that is the true Christian doctrine: to love, to accept, to forgive. It's a shame that many so-called Christians think otherwise, I guess they're just uneducated and not very nice people.

Answer 8

What have they ruined?
That is just what the Christian believes, that doesn't make it true. I think your logic is flawed.
Let's say two people are devout theists, but of different religions. Both are convinced they will go to their version of heaven and both are convinced the other will go to their version of hell for not believing in the "true" religion.
Who is right?
In their own minds, both of them. And that is all that really matters.

Answer 9

I believe "no1home2" has put this in the right perspective.

Answer 10

That may be freaky fundie doctrine, but it certainly is not the doctrine of the Orthodox Church.