The Bible says a lot of things

I actually find the Nicene Creed useful for a lot of things. If any thought or doctrine contradicts the Nicene Creed ... you probably want to think twice about that. If it does not contradict the Nicene Creed, then how far off from the TRUTH can you possibly get?

Some of the Early Church Fathers will get you in trouble on some of the fringe details ... they are much better taken as a group and looking for consensus.

 

I also like the 'Vincentian Canon'

 

People go to Hell because they are sinners.

 

Tell us then...
Why did Jesus command to preach the gospel all over the world if those who never hear it are not condemned? Is proclaiming the gospel meant to save or condemn? By what you're telling us, it results in condemnation, where if left alone those who never hear it are not condemned-- that's what you're saying, isn't it? Then explain the command of Jesus.

 

I think in short Matt is saying he doesn't believe God is Evil.

Why Jesus commands us to preach is education. God for example at the blink of an eye can have everyone in the universe sat in a seat to watch the official DVD of GOD and what happened. It sounds like a great idea but God has a better idea.

When you want to help take the groceries Mom might have you carry the light stuff like toilet paper even though she can do it all her self.

I'm pretty certain God has something better then internet and he could email the brain the entire gospel if he wants.

Its like when you get a birthday card from the entire family, they might have the youngest present it, even though he might not have paid for it, maybe the family wants you to throw appreciation his way.

Would it be a shocker to find out God is not a megalomaniac?

 

Christians are sinners who don't...so obviously there is more to it than that.

 

More to it like...hearing the Gospel?

 

But this thread is concerned with those who do not

 

This thread is about things the Bible says. It's in the title, after all.

 

But we have now got on to discussion soteriological justice

 

Concerning soteriological justice and those who have never heard the Gospel, my Bible says:

Romans 1:18-23 NASB

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth [fn]in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident [fn]within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 21 For even though they knew God, they did not [fn]honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and [fn]crawling creatures.​

[Some things about GOD are self-evident and those who reject the self-evident truths are condemned for their rejection not for their ignorance.]


Romans 2:12-16 NASB

12 For all who have sinned [fn]without the Law will also perish [fn]without the Law, and all who have sinned [fn]under the Law will be judged [fn]by the Law; 13 for it is not the hearers [fn]of the Law who are [fn]just before God, but the doers [fn]of the Law will be justified. 14 For when Gentiles who do not have [fn]the Law do [fn]instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having [fn]the Law, are a law to themselves, 15 in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, 16 on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.​

[The Law is instinctively written on the heart of all mankind. Those who do not have the Gospel are condemned or acquitted by their conscience as they "love God and their neighbor" or do not.]


Just a small reality check concerning the unsaved. For the Amazon natives, life was lived in fear of accidentally offending some spirit and being punished with a drought or a bad hunt or the sickness and death of a child. The Gospel freed them from that fear. For the unsaved in modern society, random chance (good and bad luck) and ultimate purposelessness is the 'demon' that terrorizes them. The Gospel is the only thing that can free them from that.

... but you feel free to leave them in a world of fear and powerlessness as your act of 'kindness'.
[The fact is "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it." ... most of the dead are in Hell. Hearing the Gospel only shines a light on the narrow gate.]

 

I would counter that we've moved on to soteriological mercy.

Justice is getting what we deserve, and without Christ, it's rather bleak.

 

Can you find the title Pope or Vicar of Christ anywheres in there?

 

Does the scripture say anything about those who DO hear of Jesus and reject Him? Do they go to hell?

 

I don't think so. I even checked the Latin Vulgate for "Vicarius" (as in Vicarius Christi) and found nothing.

 

Wouldn't that depend on one's definition of love? Paul said, "If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha." You believe a person can "love" their neighbor and at the same time hear of the Lord Jesus Christ, reject the Lord Jesus Christ, which is to NOT love the Lord Jesus Christ, and still be saved. Paul says this type of person will be accursed. One cannot say they love God and NOT love the Lord Jesus Christ who is that ONLY true God. Thus, one must define love according to the FULL counsel of the Scriptures. You totally cut the Lord Jesus Christ out of your definition of love.

 

All well and good...but the trouble is that your above interpretation also questions the need for the preaching of the Gospel: if people are condemned or acquitted by their conscience as they either do or don't love God and neighbour, then there is no need for the Gospel to be added to that - all you need do is "live a good life", as the secular humanists would have us do.

 

Ain't that noble of him?

But let's put this thing directly on the line:
He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God [john 3:18].

Which of the 2 camps do those who have never heard the gospel fall into? Believers or nonbelievers?

 

Sorry, I don't 'do' proof texting