I need help understanding this...

[ShadesOfGrey]

Jesus says that no man can enter heaven except through him, but does anyone else feel this is cruel to ceratin parties of people who have either: A, been born into such depraved conditions that they simply had no opportunity to "discover" Jesus. Or B, been born into say... A primitive African tribe which has had absolutely no contact with the civilized world, and has never even heard the name of Jesus (let alone accepted him as their savior).

Anyway, I have written a story (in the Creative Writing forum) that rather crudely sums up my point on how this could be "wrong." Or maybe I am wrong altogether; which is what I am hoping for, as I hope some one can't point me towards some "happy" resolution in this matter.

The story:

http://www.christianforums.com/t1382198-a-story-of-suffering-i-need-your-input.html

 

[Monica02]

People could enter Heaven through Jesus without actually knowing that it was Jesus who was responsible.

 

[ShadesOfGrey]

But wouldn't they actually have to accept him as the Son of God to enter heaven "through him?"

How can someone do that to a being they haven't the slightest idea about the existence of? Of all of the many religions of the world, I can only think of Christianity as one that has a God's son becoming mortal and dying to save humanity. What are the odds that a primative tribe will choose to believe in a creator who sent his son to die for them?

Thank you for the response though.

 

[Johnnz]

Paul sets out three principles in Romans. I refer tothem as the three voices of God.

1 Creation
2 Conscience
3 Revelation, which Paul identifies as Christ for us today.

People are then responsible for what they have access to.

We will never be sure how God finally assesses people, but insofar as we belive that God is totally just we can trust Him to make teh right decision.

John
NZ

 

[ShadesOfGrey]

That does sound right, but if Jesus says he is the only way to get to heaven, I think it kind of exempts any other method in the Bible.

And a primitive tribe would be much more likely to worship something like the sun, than the Son. So they go to Hell? According to Jesus, yes.

 

[holo]

Jesus told a parable about the tax collector and the pharisee praying. He said the humble tax collector went home justified before God, while the pharisee, who kept the law and all, didn't.

I think the key is in realising we're not able to make it on our own. The bible says God resists the proud, but shows mercy to the humble. And I don't think God is dependent on our intellectual understanding. Rembember how Jesus said the Kingdom belongs to children? And how He called us God's children. Children don't know where their dad comes from or how they get the food on the table, and they don't even care. They just eat their food and love their daddy.

God is our daddy.

 

[dholbrook]

The bible says that Jesus won't return until everyone has had a chance to accept Him.

Matthew 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.

 

[Phred]

If there is a god he created us all. Not just Christians. To assume that only those who have had the good luck to hear about this particular belief will get into heaven is rather self-righteous. Especially when this allows a person to spend this life lying, cheating, stealing and murdering but if they decide they love Jesus in their last few moments alive, they're in heaven. Ahead of a guy like Ghandi... what sense does that make?

Sure, Christianity may be one path to heaven, but why can't other religions be a path too? Or even no religion at all? If this life is somehow a test to determine our worthiness for an afterlife, then why would belief be the determining factor? If it is, why are you so certain it's your belief that's the only right one?

.
​

 

[Johnnz]

That does sound right, but if Jesus says he is the only way to get to heaven, I think it kind of exempts any other method in the Bible.

And a primitive tribe would be much more likely to worship something like the sun, than the Son. So they go to Hell? According to Jesus, yes.

Or you can look at that statement this way. Yes, it is only through Jesus that anyone can enter heaven, because of what He did in meeting God's requirements for justice. This allows people who have never heard of Him but who live up to the level of their conscience as best they can to be accepted By God.

This also would apply to your second point.

John
NZ

 

[AngylBelle]

The bible says that Jesus won't return until everyone has had a chance to accept Him.

Matthew 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.

I agree with this...(but then again, its scripture, and if you believe in the Bible, how could you not?)
I have the unusual perspective that many Christians disagree with, but here it is. Consider all the religions of the world. Now think of how many of them have similar if not almost identical doctrines as Christianity. Could you not equate the Jesus of the Christian life to messiah's in other religions? Just think of the many different names of God: Jesus, Iehova, YHWH, JHVH...etc. God is almighty and alpowerful...so does that not mean he cannot reach those who are unfamiliar with modern Christianity? I say it is possible...whether or not it is truth, I do not know. I believe Jesus is more than capable of reaching those oblivious to Him, and I believe that "if" he did or does, He would reveal himself in such a way that would accomodate others traditions to allow an easier understanding. Like I said, I have not resorted to "believing" this, but I propose that it is possible.

 

[holo]

Sure, Christianity may be one path to heaven, but why can't other religions be a path too?

IMO, it's faulty to say christianity is one path to heaven, because christianity is Jesus plus. It's Jesus plus rituals, Jesus plus culture, Jesus plus tradition, etc etc etc. We're humans, that's what we do, just look at these forums.

I think what God wanted to show is that NO religion is the way to heaven - that one can't get to heaven unless God reaches down and helps us out.

 

[philN]

But Christianity is the only religion where there an atonement made for sins commited. If Christ was not important then people would be entering heaven who are still tainted by sin.

I believe that God is completely sovereign. Thus, I believe that he will call everyone who is predestined to salvation. Read Romans 9. There are some people that were created for destruction. It may sound unfair, in perspective, everyone is sinful and everyone deserves to die and go to hell. It is only through the mercy of Christ that we have been called to Him. God is a God of Love and a God of venegence. And from our earthly perspective we cannot see how He can be both at once, but He is.

 

[Wonderfulcross]

A, been born into such depraved conditions that they simply had no opportunity to "discover" Jesus. Or B, been born into say... A primitive African tribe which has had absolutely no contact with the civilized world, and has never even heard the name of Jesus (let alone accepted him as their savior).

God judges people on their hearts and what they know. He can't judge people on what they don't know. Will a teacher quiz his students on material they didn't cover? If people have never had an oppurtunity to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior, there is a good chance they will go to Heaven.

 

[Yitzchak]

ONE QUESTION....How did Moses enter heaven?? He was born and died before Jesus...

 

[Zaac]

Jesus says that no man can enter heaven except through him, but does anyone else feel this is cruel to ceratin parties of people who have either: A, been born into such depraved conditions that they simply had no opportunity to "discover" Jesus. Or B, been born into say... A primitive African tribe which has had absolutely no contact with the civilized world, and has never even heard the name of Jesus (let alone accepted him as their savior).

Anyway, I have written a story (in the Creative Writing forum) that rather crudely sums up my point on how this could be "wrong." Or maybe I am wrong altogether; which is what I am hoping for, as I hope some one can't point me towards some "happy" resolution in this matter.

The story:

http://www.christianforums.com/t1382198-a-story-of-suffering-i-need-your-input.html

I often times hear of these unreached people. If we know of them, why haven't they been reached? If ya'll know of some, let me know so that I can let the right people know.

God says that no man has an excuse.

 

[Chartreuse]

Jesus told us to love God and each other. He didn't add, "Oh, and mention my name to get your parking validated." If you do what's right, it doesn't matter whether you do it because one person told you to or a different person told you to, or because you figured it out for yourself. It doesn't matter whether you do it because of your church or because logic led you there.

It's through love that we're saved; this is true no matter where you heard it.

 

[ZACTAK]

Jesus says that no man can enter heaven except through him, but does anyone else feel this is cruel to ceratin parties of people who have either: A, been born into such depraved conditions that they simply had no opportunity to "discover" Jesus. Or B, been born into say... A primitive African tribe which has had absolutely no contact with the civilized world, and has never even heard the name of Jesus (let alone accepted him as their savior).

Anyway, I have written a story (in the Creative Writing forum) that rather crudely sums up my point on how this could be "wrong." Or maybe I am wrong altogether; which is what I am hoping for, as I hope some one can't point me towards some "happy" resolution in this matter.

The story:

http://www.christianforums.com/t1382198-a-story-of-suffering-i-need-your-input.html

From what I have heard from many many people, including Pastors, if you have never heard the name Jesus Christ at all, churches aren't around, you've never heard of the Bible, there is no possible way of you knowing Him... you are welcomed into Heaven.

 

[ASLER86]

Jesus says that no man can enter heaven except through him, but does anyone else feel this is cruel to ceratin parties of people who have either: A, been born into such depraved conditions that they simply had no opportunity to "discover" Jesus. Or B, been born into say... A primitive African tribe which has had absolutely no contact with the civilized world, and has never even heard the name of Jesus (let alone accepted him as their savior).

Anyway, I have written a story (in the Creative Writing forum) that rather crudely sums up my point on how this could be "wrong." Or maybe I am wrong altogether; which is what I am hoping for, as I hope some one can't point me towards some "happy" resolution in this matter.

The story:

http://www.christianforums.com/t1382198-a-story-of-suffering-i-need-your-input.html

God is a just God who will judge fairly (I think someone already summed this up some)

To quote Josh McDowell: "Although the Scriptures never explicitly teach that someone who has never heard of Jesus can be saved, we do believe that it infers this. We do believe that every person will have an opportunity to repent, and that God will not exclude anyone because he happened to be born at the wrong place or at the wrong time" (A Ready Defense p. 416)

This, however, does not cover those who have heard the gospel and who have refused it.

Hope that helps,
ASLER86