Question of the day ??
If believing in Jesus is the only way to salvation:
"Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
John 14:6 (NIV)
Then what happened/s to those who have never heard of Jesus? Take the Native Americans for instance. Did they have a shot at Heaven before Christians came and took over their world? Did good Jews who lived in the time of Moses or Isaiah have a chance at salvation?
What is your theological stance here?
posted by Greg Hazelrig @ 7:52 AM
4 comments
4 Comments:
Greg,
How are the Old Testament Saints saved? The exact same way that you and I are. They are saved by their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. You may ask, “how is that possible, if Christ came after they died?” Because, every generation from Adam and Eve has known that a messiah would come to make things right and reconcile us to God. The first prophecy of the messiah to come was Gen 3:15. The OT Saints looked forward through the books of the law and the prophets at Christ. God is above the timeline. Thus, an OT saint is looking at Christ just as we look at Christ. Christ has always existed. Thus, in God’s reference frame, does God care if you are looking at Christ in the days of Moses prior to his earthly incarnation or looking at Christ in Heaven today sitting at the right hand of God the Father? I think not. It doesn’t matter, you are still looking at Christ, regardless.
How will God deal with non Christians? I have no idea. It is not our job to judge folks who are non Christians. That is Christ’s job. However, it is our job to preach the Gospel. Am I going to be so smug that I stand here and say that an Indian infidel from the 1600’s is going to hell? Am I going to say that some poor SE Asian teenager who has never heard of Christ is going to eternal hell? Christ says that to whom much is given, much is required. The converse of that is to whom little is given, little is required. We often use this scripture when discussing money and material gifts and natural telents, but it applies to all things, including faith. It is not our job to decide who is saved and who is damned. It is out job to preach the Gospel. It is Christ’s job to judge. We know what the Bible says and that should be good enough. We are to teach the lost of the Love of Jesus Christ and we have the responsibility to warn them to flee the wrath to come by accepting the gift of God’s grace extended to them through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Gospel says that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. A soul that hears and understands the Gospel, and rejects it, is guilty of blaspheming the Holy Ghost. What should terrify most persons is not what God will do to some soul of some Buddhist or some Muslim. What should terrify most is the American who rejects the Gospel. When they stand before the Lord and Christ says, “I put you in the freest land on the globe. You had a Christian Church on every corner, Christian TV and Radio in every town, and Christians around you to guide you and lead you, and what did you do with the opportunity that I gave you?” That should be what terrifies most.
I have a deeply spiritual and mature Native American friend. He holds true to his heritage and upbringing, in fact, he is a chief in the Cherokee nation. But he has a special understanding of Jesus. He sees Jesus as God, manifested in human form, and yields his heritage to the saving grace of Christ. But, he sees Jesus as fitting into his belief system as God on Earth. His belief is beyond my comprehension, but it works for him.
I cannot judge him nor will I try. It seems that the natives have an understanding beyond most caucasion's comprehension. Again, if it works for him, it works for me.He acknowledges Christ, in his own way, and I cannot, nor will not, attempt to interfere with his understanding of Christ.
For what it's worth, I often seek his wisdom. He is a special gift to all who seek spiritual growth.
He is Nikko...and if you can find him on the Web...more power to you.
Nikko is my friend...and my friend in Christ.
He has given me permission to share his testamony, so I do. God is great, and approachable from many different perspectives. God Bless the Native American approach to Him. He is there for them.
Brother Marty
Hi, Greg. I blogged about this back in October. Here's where I am at present; hope it's a helpful addition to the conversation.
http://guywilliams.blogspot.com/2006/10/comparing-religions-from-christian.html
Thank each of you for your thoughtful comments. Keep them coming.
gmw - guy's whole link did not get into the comment. I believe this is it. http://guywilliams.blogspot.com/2006/10/comp
aring-religions-from-christian.html
Try that one
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