Fairness in Christianity

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This is to debate fairness in Christianity. Isn't God suppose to give everyone an opportunity to know him and his son, or the bible. I don't mean rich or poor fairness, I mean those getting to know Jesus, some just don't have the opportunity. Protestants, don't you dare, I don't believe in Predestination.
1. Some people, say less than 1% of people in the world are born into terrorist groups/families. Or they are kidnapped at a young age. They are taught killing and all that is okay. They can live and die not every seeing the bible or being taught right from wrong, yet they would go to Hell probably. How is this fair?
2. There are a few stoneage tribes out there. Again, less than 1% of the population, but they can live and die not ever seeing the bible or knowing the story of Jesus, and yet Jesus is the way to heaven. How is this fair?
3. According to this website World Population Clock: 7.8 Billion People (2020) - Worldometer There were 200 million people on Earth in 1 AD. How without the technology were all 200 million suppose to hear about Jesus. There is no possible way the news can reach all 200 million people. So what Hell for the other 95% of the population that wasn't lucky enough to hear the good news.
4. Think of all the other religions there are. You are born into another country and you stick to Budhism, Indian or Hinduism, etc. and never hear about Jesus or the bible until you die. Oops, you didn't know Jesus, Hell. A minister never got to you, but it is still your fault?
5. Post apocalyptic world. Supervolcano erupts, or something else and less than 1% of the population survives. Religions are forgotten, including Christianity and Christ throughout the years. Or religions are rare and very few of those remaining hear the stories as humanity is spread out and thin throughout the world.
6. The fact that so many people never heard of Jesus or the bible and millions up millions of people will never get that chance, makes me question how real Jesus was or who he was. Millions of people are going to hell it seems, not because of necessarily what they did, but because they never knew Jesus. The only way to eternal life is through Jesus. God is suppose to give everyone a chance, and many won't get that chance, which makes is hard for me to believe.
 

Junia

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This is to debate fairness in Christianity. Isn't God suppose to give everyone an opportunity to know him and his son, or the bible. I don't mean rich or poor fairness, I mean those getting to know Jesus, some just don't have the opportunity. Protestants, don't you dare, I don't believe in Predestination.
1. Some people, say less than 1% of people in the world are born into terrorist groups/families. Or they are kidnapped at a young age. They are taught killing and all that is okay. They can live and die not every seeing the bible or being taught right from wrong, yet they would go to Hell probably. How is this fair?
2. There are a few stoneage tribes out there. Again, less than 1% of the population, but they can live and die not ever seeing the bible or knowing the story of Jesus, and yet Jesus is the way to heaven. How is this fair?
3. According to this website World Population Clock: 7.8 Billion People (2020) - Worldometer There were 200 million people on Earth in 1 AD. How without the technology were all 200 million suppose to hear about Jesus. There is no possible way the news can reach all 200 million people. So what Hell for the other 95% of the population that wasn't lucky enough to hear the good news.
4. Think of all the other religions there are. You are born into another country and you stick to Budhism, Indian or Hinduism, etc. and never hear about Jesus or the bible until you die. Oops, you didn't know Jesus, Hell. A minister never got to you, but it is still your fault?
5. Post apocalyptic world. Supervolcano erupts, or something else and less than 1% of the population survives. Religions are forgotten, including Christianity and Christ throughout the years. Or religions are rare and very few of those remaining hear the stories as humanity is spread out and thin throughout the world.
6. The fact that so many people never heard of Jesus or the bible and millions up millions of people will never get that chance, makes me question how real Jesus was or who he was. Millions of people are going to hell it seems, not because of necessarily what they did, but because they never knew Jesus. The only way to eternal life is through Jesus. God is suppose to give everyone a chance, and many won't get that chance, which makes is hard for me to believe.

i wrestle with this one also. why would God make it so some people dont hear about Him? it does all seem unfair
 
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Radagast

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This is to debate fairness in Christianity. Isn't God suppose to give everyone an opportunity to know him and his son, or the bible. I don't mean rich or poor fairness, I mean those getting to know Jesus, some just don't have the opportunity. Protestants, don't you dare, I don't believe in Predestination.

That's strange, because the Catholic church does: CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Predestination

2. There are a few stoneage tribes out there. Again, less than 1% of the population, but they can live and die not ever seeing the bible or knowing the story of Jesus, and yet Jesus is the way to heaven. How is this fair?

The Catholic church holds out the possibility of salvation for those people (while also pointing out the obligation to evangelise them):

Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience - those too may achieve eternal salvation. (Catholic Catechism 847)

I hasten to add: I'm not a Catholic, myself.
 
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ViaCrucis

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What cannot be known, cannot be known.

But, we have the Gospel, and what the Gospel tells us about God. The God who surrenders Himself in love to death for the sake of a sinful world--that's all of us, everyone of us--is not a God who just ignores or abandons people because they did not happen to win the cosmic lottery of being born at the right time and place. God is not capricious and petty.

What does that mean? I don't know. But I have hope in the words of St. Paul in 1 Timothy 4:10, that He is the Savior of all men, especially of those that believe.

I'm not advocating "universalism", I'm simply advocating what the Church itself has always confessed, that God's mercy and grace is bigger than what we know or can imagine, and He is trustworthy and true. And at the end of it all, Judgment belongs to God, and God is just and good.

-CryptoLutheran
 
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timewerx

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They can live and die not every seeing the bible or being taught right from wrong, yet they would go to Hell probably. How is this fair?

It's more or less a false teaching.

Study the NT using Strong's Concordance and you'll see.

The "Name" of the Lord is NOT literally His name (i.e., "Jesus"). It's much more likely the "name" stands for "cause".

Whoever believes in the "Cause" of the Lord will be saved...

The Cause of the Lord is basically to expose the wickedness in this world (John 7:7), to love others through our actions (helping those in distress / oppression) (1 John 3:16-18), and to seek the truth in everything.

Noting the truth won't always point you to religion. Often, it will simply reveal the lies and deceit of this world.

"Belief" in the NT points to actions, instead of simply thinking that something exists or is real (John 14:12).

Those verses seem to establish that even Atheists are saved if they desire knowing the truth, exposing evil works, and loving others through actions.
 
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Radagast

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The "Name" of the Lord is NOT literally His name (i.e., "Jesus"). It's much more likely the "name" stands for "cause".

No, it doesn't mean that at all.

When the New Testament quotes Joel 2:32 (And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved), it means calling on God Himself, acknowledging Him as who He is, and asking Him for help.

When Paul quotes Joel 2:32, he is also making the point that Jesus is God.

Those verses seem to establish that even Atheists are saved if they desire knowing the truth, exposing evil works, and loving others through actions.

No, that idea is contrary to Christian teaching.
 
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disciple Clint

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This is to debate fairness in Christianity. Isn't God suppose to give everyone an opportunity to know him and his son, or the bible. I don't mean rich or poor fairness, I mean those getting to know Jesus, some just don't have the opportunity. Protestants, don't you dare, I don't believe in Predestination.
1. Some people, say less than 1% of people in the world are born into terrorist groups/families. Or they are kidnapped at a young age. They are taught killing and all that is okay. They can live and die not every seeing the bible or being taught right from wrong, yet they would go to Hell probably. How is this fair?
2. There are a few stoneage tribes out there. Again, less than 1% of the population, but they can live and die not ever seeing the bible or knowing the story of Jesus, and yet Jesus is the way to heaven. How is this fair?
3. According to this website World Population Clock: 7.8 Billion People (2020) - Worldometer There were 200 million people on Earth in 1 AD. How without the technology were all 200 million suppose to hear about Jesus. There is no possible way the news can reach all 200 million people. So what Hell for the other 95% of the population that wasn't lucky enough to hear the good news.
4. Think of all the other religions there are. You are born into another country and you stick to Budhism, Indian or Hinduism, etc. and never hear about Jesus or the bible until you die. Oops, you didn't know Jesus, Hell. A minister never got to you, but it is still your fault?
5. Post apocalyptic world. Supervolcano erupts, or something else and less than 1% of the population survives. Religions are forgotten, including Christianity and Christ throughout the years. Or religions are rare and very few of those remaining hear the stories as humanity is spread out and thin throughout the world.
6. The fact that so many people never heard of Jesus or the bible and millions up millions of people will never get that chance, makes me question how real Jesus was or who he was. Millions of people are going to hell it seems, not because of necessarily what they did, but because they never knew Jesus. The only way to eternal life is through Jesus. God is suppose to give everyone a chance, and many won't get that chance, which makes is hard for me to believe.
The answer to your question lies in the concepts of natural law and general revelation. God is just.
Natural Law
2. General Revelation | Bible.org
 
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timewerx

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No, it doesn't mean that at all.

When the New Testament quotes Joel 2:32 (And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved), it means calling on God Himself, acknowledging Him as who He is, and asking Him for help.

When Paul quotes Joel 2:32, he is also making the point that Jesus is God.



No, that idea is contrary to Christian teaching.

What Jesus preached is whoever believes in Him.

And belief is all about action (John 14:12). Isn't about convincing yourself or others that something is real or exists.


.
 
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Radagast

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And belief is all about action

No, it isn't. The verb πιστεύω simply does not mean that.

John 14:12

That verse does not support your (incorrect) thesis: “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.
 
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Tolworth John

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This is to debate fairness in Christianity. Isn't God suppose to give everyone an opportunity to know him and his son, or the bible.

What do you base this opinion about fairness upon?

God doesn't claim to be fair, he claims to be just and merciful.

Don't forget ignorance of the law is never an excuse.
The Bible makes it clear that creation is ample evidence for the existence of God.
 
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