I didn't refer to other religions (or lack of one) as we all are infected with sin and face death, and have a common Savior who according to John 1:9 enlightens each person coming into the world. If they reject that understanding/light it is their own dime. He is the Logos (Word).
I referred to other religions because they had been referenced by other posters earlier in the thread when the question was asked about the possibility that such non-believers could be saved.
People are either saved or not saved regardless of religion or whether they live during OT or NT times. Romans 2-5 makes that quite clear.
Why?
Hi Alisha! That's a great question, and in the past, I've answered this with my own philosophically inclined answer, one that while a little different from the typical evangelical response is, nevertheless, one that I think is in accordance with what we find in the Bible overall. So, here is a 'reprint' of my answer to this from a short while back, only slightly edited ...
**********************************************************
Since it is very difficult to see the details in the Big Picture of God's economy of salvation (soteriology), I'd propose that the Church take a more ambiguous approach to the lost, but an approach which nevertheless requires that Christians feel a deep-seated need to reach "the lost." And in this approach, I suggest that we simply define those who will never hear of Christ as a distinct group from those will hear the Gospel on a sufficient level. Then, we more or less classify those who will never hear of Christ, or have never heard the Gospel in a sufficient manner, as "Unidentifiables."
We should classify those who will never hear sufficiently as "Unidentifiables" because from a human point of view, we as the Church do not know, and cannot know, precisely how God will judge each "Unidentifiable" at the Final Judgment. They each stand as a "?" before the Church since we do not have enough detail in the Bible to give us a definitive and comprehensive way to know how "Unidentifiables" will ultimately be judged by God; it could go either way. Despite their ongoing spiritual anonymity before the Church, they are each an individual for whom we can pray in the hope that God in His mercy will accept them according to the light He has provided to each of them during their individual lives.
As for those persons who have heard, I think this group is made up of two categories: The "Acceptors" and the "Objectors." In the case of the accepting, we have confidence as to where they square in gaining eternal life in Christ. But, as for the objecting, we in the Church know they will not likely gain God's favor in Christ at the Final Judgment.
Thus, with this approach, we take the weight off of having to understand the full economy of God's grace as it relates to the availability of the (clear) Gospel message; we won't have to wring our hands as we try to answer the time worn question of "What happens to those who've never heard?" We do indeed leave it in the hands of God. Yet, this approach retains the urgency of the Church's need to continue its God directed effort to reach out in love and truth on behalf of Christ to those on all sides of the international and spiritual spectrum. It also is more honest and may be more appealing as a truthful explanation about "Unidentifiables."
That's my approach. It's simpler, and it's more philosophically practical -- although I'm open to theological criticisms and other considerations.
**********************************************************
Blessings,
2PhiloVoid
Paul makes it easy to understand.I am talking with a Catholic on discussing what happens to the natives who never heard of Christ. Nowadays there are few people who don't have access to learning about Christ, whether it's through the internet or by a missionary or friend, but the Native Americans, Mayans, and all those people who were previously in this country didn't know about our God. Now I believe it is in human nature to acknowledge the Creator, no matter what they have learned in their society after all the earth shouts of His glory and testifies of His lovingkindness. (Is. 6:3, Ps. 119:64). But my question is, was it possible for them to be saved by just living off of their acknowledgment of a creator and their consciousness to do good instead of evil? Because John 14:6 says "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." Wouldn't this be a contradiction if those natives were saved without ever learning about Jesus, the Son of God?
And if the natives weren't saved, because of their rebellion in their hearts, because not one man is innocent or ever has been except Jesus, wouldn't it be unjust to give some people the opportunity of hearing the Truth and others not?
In Romans, it discusses how the people are judged by their own law in their hearts.. but that will condemn everyone who hasn't surrendered their sins to Jesus.
"Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another
Romans 2: 16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel."
What is the correct, biblical way to answer this question? I've been asked this question multiple times, I believed that the natives were judged by the law written in their own hearts and conscience but that seems to be in contradiction with John 14:6, it seems flippant to say there are exceptions in salvation unless I have scriptural evidence.
Thank you,
God bless you all,
In our idea of time here, we think of sequential time.
@Alisha1174852 gave me a like and she gave you a like.
I agree with you 100%.
I agree with this, God wants everyone to come to Him and He loves everyone, and because It is of our own free will to pursue Him and I believe for each man He has created a path to take to get to know Him.
I'm happy to hear the above because post no. 27 does not agree with you. You should read it again....
