Question to those who think all non-Christians go to hell

[confusedxself]

This is a question for all Christians who think everyone but other Christians is going to hell: (this doesn't apply to Christians who think all 'good people' go to Heaven regardless of religion, etc)

What about people who lived in the time before Jesus was born (i.e. when Christianity didn't exist yet)? Did they go to hell? Or what about people who live in secluded areas like tribes in Africa, or people who have simply lived in places where they have never heard of Christianity? Do they go to hell too?

I'm not trying to start some argument/debate, I'm honestly curious about what those types of Christians think, and I'm sure there are a few of them in this forum.

 

[jehoiakim]

The Israelites like Moses, Elijah, Abraham etc who lived before Christ were saved because they had faith in God that he would redeem them, they might not have had specifics, but they followed after God and instead of looking backward with faith in Christ, looked forward to God's plan of redemption. Now it is a different story that people have been told of Christ and are aware of him, now they must make a choice.

The scriptures tell us we are responsible for what we know, if a person has never heard the name of Christ even uttered, they would be held to a lesser standard. The introduction to Romans says that man should at least be aware of God just by observing the world around him, but sadly even then many are not.

Many Christians also exercise the argument of God's Omniscience in this situation. Since God knew who all who existed in the world even before it was created, he knew when to place them and in what historical and life situation. If he knew people were going to reject him, they could be placed in a situation where they would be less likely to hear him. I'm not saying this is the way it is exactly, but the bible tells us God placed each of us in the correct time and place

Of course I am sure these answers will lead you to more questions, but hey that is the way it goes

 

[confusedxself]

The Israelites like Moses, Elijah, Abraham etc who lived before Christ were saved because they had faith in God that he would redeem them, they might not have had specifics, but they followed after God and instead of looking backward with faith in Christ, looked forward to God's plan of redemption. Now it is a different story that people have been told of Christ and are aware of him, now they must make a choice.

The scriptures tell us we are responsible for what we know, if a person has never heard the name of Christ even uttered, they would be held to a lesser standard. The introduction to Romans says that man should at least be aware of God just by observing the world around him, but sadly even then many are not.

Many Christians also exercise the argument of God's Omniscience in this situation. Since God knew who all who existed in the world even before it was created, he knew when to place them and in what historical and life situation. If he knew people were going to reject him, they could be placed in a situation where they would be less likely to hear him. I'm not saying this is the way it is exactly, but the bible tells us God placed each of us in the correct time and place

Of course I am sure these answers will lead you to more questions, but hey that is the way it goes

Ok, here's what I got from your post:

1. Israelites before Christ were saved because they still believed in God, even if they didn't know details.

2. If God knew someone was going to reject him, they could be placed in a time/place where they'd be less likely to hear about him, but even so, they should still be able to look around and .. discover(?) God that way.

That answers part of the question because of the thing you said about the Israelites, but what about the people who he did place in an area where they wouldn't hear about him? Or those who lived in, say, ancient Roman or Greek times (et cetera), so Christ didn't even exist yet and no one knew about Christianity? Did/Do they go to hell?

 

[jehoiakim]

If God knew someone was going to reject him, they could be placed in a time/place where they'd be less likely to hear about him, but even so, they should still be able to look around and .. discover(?) God that way.

This is just conjecture, but some people might thrive in an environment where they are less likely to hear about God. They might be confused by theology or wrapped up in the pursuits of life or something else but they might be quicker to understand God through observing nature. I think of many native americans and having read many of their words and heard there stories I believe many of them were far more in touch with who God because of their situation and totaly reliance upon nature, I think that painted a fairly clear picture of God for many of them. They also would he held to a lesser standard if they knew less. Does that mean all or some or none of them were saved, I don't really know

To soften the blow of the concept of hell, some Christians have come to believe in a concept called annihilationism. I am not sure where I stand on this issue, I haven't researched it enough, but they believe people aren't tormented forever in hell and everlasting only means unstoppable or unquenchable... they believe people who go to hell are destroyed permanently, annihilated and cease to exist instead of living forever in a place of torment and those who receive salvation happen to get a new life. That is certianly a much friendlier version, not sure what I think about it though.

If you want to read about a crazy idea that seems "more fair" I will link you to a thread I just posted, it is a crazy thought I had a while ago and I just posted it because your thread reminded me, but it may give you a different outlook on it. It is certainly not orthodox as I have never heard the theory presented by anyone else, but I think it is worth considering.
http://www.christianforums.com/t7591272/

 

[nayalife]

Acts 17:26-28 says:
“From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth;
and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.
27 God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
28 'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.'

These verses suggest that God personally determines the exact time period during which each person is to live on this earth, and the exact places where they should live.

And WHY did God do this?

V.27 says, “God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him.”

• God specifically places a person in a particular time period when it would be easiest for that specific person to “seek him,” reach out for him,” and “find him.”
• Similarly, God places the person in specific places where it will be easiest for him to seek and discover the Lord.

So no Created Person can use the excuse that they were in a distant place where they couldn’t form a relationship with their Creator.

Ever person who truly desires to discover his Creator, will one day, stumble upon him. God will make it happen.

Only, of course, if the person belongs to a remote tribe somewhere, he/she may not refer to this Creator as ‘Jesus’, or say a Salvation Prayer (as we do in our Evangelistic programs), or get formally baptized.

But slowly the person’s life will begin to change, even as the Holy Spirit works within him/her. Others in the tribe will be drawn to the great transformation in the person, and they too may come to a saving knowledge of this Creator. Or they may hate the person so much for choosing to be different, that they’ll have him/her murdered.

 

[razeontherock]

This is a question for all Christians who think everyone but other Christians is going to hell: (this doesn't apply to Christians who think all 'good people' go to Heaven regardless of religion, etc)

What about people who lived in the time before Jesus was born (i.e. when Christianity didn't exist yet)? Did they go to hell? Or what about people who live in secluded areas like tribes in Africa, or people who have simply lived in places where they have never heard of Christianity? Do they go to hell too?

I'm not trying to start some argument/debate, I'm honestly curious about what those types of Christians think, and I'm sure there are a few of them in this forum.

You should be concerned with what the Bible says on the topic, which is really pretty simple. AD, we are held accountable for what we know, not what we do not. BC, all were waiting their chance to hear.

 

[Timothew]

To soften the blow of the concept of hell, some Christians have come to believe in a concept called annihilationism. I am not sure where I stand on this issue, I haven't researched it enough, but they believe people aren't tormented forever in hell and everlasting only means unstoppable or unquenchable... they believe people who go to hell are destroyed permanently, annihilated and cease to exist instead of living forever in a place of torment and those who receive salvation happen to get a new life. That is certianly a much friendlier version, not sure what I think about it though.

I am one of the christians who believes in the concept of annihilationism, also I prefer the term "conditional immortality".

People are not inherently immortal. People die.
But Jesus Christ gives us the opportunity to receive eternal life from him.

 

[salida]

Acts 17:26-27
26 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. 27 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.
(God placed humans in certain specifics so they have the greatest chance of knowing Him)

And:
Ro 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.
(With creation alone men are without excuse)

All good people going to heaven? Its not about being good or bad natured but the definition of what good means to God.
Are you a good person? www.livingwaters.com/good/
Can you keep the 10 commandments 100% of the time all the time? So, have you ever lied or steal something or break any of these commandments once in your life? If the answer is yes-than you are guilty.
We are all guilty. Only Jesus kept these. Also, if a doctor had just one cure for you to live would you tell him no? Not all roads lead to heaven and all cures from all possible doctors can’t cure a cancer patient. Like a bypass won’t help a cancer patient if they put faith in it-without chemo their dead. The all road ordeal doesn’t work in the real world.

God expects perfection so without the gift of salvation our standards will never measure up. Its profitable to be good natured but this doesn't mean that a person is going to heaven because its about a relationship with Christ and being with Him. His abode is heaven. Its not all about just going to heaven and impressing God so I can go there-He isn't impressed. Would you be impressed if ants built you a house?

 

[Timothew]

Would you be impressed if ants built you a house?

Yes, I would be amazed.

I know what you mean though.