Does a Loving God Condemn Those Who Never Heard about Jesus Christ?
This is part 4 to a 7 part series: Questions About God – Canadian philosopher Michael Horner responds to seven of the most commonly asked questions about God and Christianity.
Question 4: Does a loving God condemn those who never heard about Jesus Christ?
Although the Bible does not give us the complete answer to this question, it does tell us that God “will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity (or fairness)” (Psalm 98:9). God will not condemn a person for rejecting a Christ they never heard about. We all stand condemned for something far more basic.
Suppressing the knowledge of God
We are under the mistaken impression that most people in the world are innocent. But there are no innocent people. We have all suppressed the knowledge of God.
“If you are worried about the people outside, the most unreasonable thing you can do is remain outside yourself.” ~ C.S. Lewis ~
God has revealed himself to everyone through the creation around us and the sense of right and wrong inside us (Romans 1:18-20; 2:15). Each person knows enough about God that He says that the “truth is plain” and we are all “without excuse.” It is for this suppression, distortion and rejection of the true knowledge of God and for the accompanying violation of God’s laws that we stand condemned.
God takes the initiative
Even though “no one seeks for God” (Romans 3:11) on his own initiative, God continues to take the initiative. He does not want any to perish (2 Peter 3:9). If anyone does begin to respond to God and seek Him, God progressively reveals more truth. “You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13).
Scripture also indicates that no one will be saved apart from Christ (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). It is clear that someone who knows about Christ’s saving death on the cross, yet rejects it, will spend eternity away from God as a result of his/her free choice. However, what about someone who is sincerely responding to the light God is revealing but dies before the Gospel of Jesus Christ can be brought to them?
Trust only In God’s mercy
If a person who never heard about Christ, throws herself totally upon the mercy of God, not trusting in her own good deeds or any religious practices to give her merit before God, then it may be possible that the work of Christ on the cross would be applied to that person.
It is very important to notice that this does not mean that the devout person in any religion is therefore saved. Man-made religion does not represent our search for God, but rather our flight from the true knowledge of God. Only by casting oneself completely upon the mercy of God, and not counting on one’s deeds—religious or otherwise—for right standing with God, can anyone possibly be saved.
C.S. Lewis pointedly identifies the attitude that each of us should have on this question:
“We do know that no man can be saved except through Christ,” but in the meantime, “if you are worried about the people outside, the most unreasonable thing you can do is remain outside yourself.”
Revised October 03
Next: What about all the wars that have been caused in the name of Christianity?