b***@allvantage.com
2007-02-13 02:49:11 UTC
Re: Some tough questions
All,
I have some sincere questions that I'm struggling with.1) What will
happen to those people who have never heard the gospel? Are they
automatically condemned to hell?
Mike,All,
I have some sincere questions that I'm struggling with.1) What will
happen to those people who have never heard the gospel? Are they
automatically condemned to hell?
First of all, according to the Bible there is no literal 'hellfire'
place. But that is another subject if you want to discuss it. (if you
are a loving parent, would you ever burn your disobedient children as
punishment? Neither would God, who is infinitely more loving than any
human)
Yes, the Bible does say this at Joh 14:6,
"Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one
comes to the Father except through me."" (NIV)
Thus according to that verse, the ONLY way to get to God is to go
through Jesus.
Then for those who never heard of Jesus etc, that would fall into two
groups: those who have died; those who are living today.
Concerning those who have died, the Bible says that "death" itself
erases all the sin of a person. Here is the Bible proof. Ro 6:7,23,
"7 because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. 23 For the
wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ
Jesus our Lord." (NIV)
Notice carefully that dead people have been "freed" of their sins. So
what happens to them next? They remain dead and unconscience until the
promised resurrection of Ac 24:15,
"and I have the same hope in God as these men, that there will be a
resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked." (NIV)
Once God resurrects them, both the righteous and the wicked, God is
not going to judge them on their previous lives, because as God's word
says above, death has freed them from their sins. Thus God will judge
them what they do FROM THEN ON. They will have the opportunity to hear
about Jesus and except or reject what they hear. But only through
Jesus can they get everlasting life.
Concerning the situation of people today who have never heard of Jesus
etc, remember that God is a just and fair God. If people have never
heard of Jesus through no fault of their own, God would certainly take
that into consideration. De 32:4,
"The Rock, his work is perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful
God, without deceit, just and upright is he;" (NRSV)
2) What about those who are mentally
challenged or are insane and therefore cannot understand (and thus
belief) the gospel?
See above De 32:4.belief) the gospel?
3) What abut those who have sincerely believed
(they were born into it) in other religions (like passive Muslims) and
have tried to live a good (relative to what they understand) life? Can
you please answer each question specifically and point me to Bible
passages that reference or address these questions?
Since the Bible says there is only "one faith", one true religion (Ephhave tried to live a good (relative to what they understand) life? Can
you please answer each question specifically and point me to Bible
passages that reference or address these questions?
4:5), then those in other religions regardless how pacifist they are,
are in false religions. The Bible tells people to get out of false
religions, because they can only get to God through Jesus. (Joh 14:6)
For example, the apostle Paul was inspired to write this, concerning
unbelievers at 2 Co 6:14-17,
"14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do
righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can
light have with darkness? 15 What harmony is there between Christ and
Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16
What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we
are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with
them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my
people." 17 "Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the
Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you."" (NIV)
Notice some key words here about unbelievers, such as your example of
Muslims, "come out from them and be separate"; "Touch no unclean
thing". Thus God does not approve of false religions.
Recall above, that death removes all sins (Ro 6:7,23), even the sins
of being part of a false religion. Thus those people who have died
that were part of false religions, will get the opportunity to learn
about Jesus etc, when they are resurrected.
But what about those today? The Bible says that in the last days, this
MUST be taking place. Mt 24:14,
"And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as
a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." (NIV)
Notice the "end" won't even come until that preaching about God's
"kingdom" (government) has been accomplished. Thus many people will
get the opportunity to come out of those false religions and accept
Jesus etc. For those that can't be reached, again, God is a fair and
righteous judge. We don't have to worry about people being judged on a
technicality etc. God will judge correctly and fairly.
And by the way, that preaching of the "kingdom" message is going on
world-wide as we speak.
I hope the above Bible verses have helped you with your questions.
Sincerely, James
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I would love to
hear all responses but specifically from Southern Baptists and other
Charismatic Christians.
Thanks,
Mike
hear all responses but specifically from Southern Baptists and other
Charismatic Christians.
Thanks,
Mike