fate of the faithless

I am not sure there is a definitive answer to this question. I think people who have never heard can be "saved". I think that some native americans did this and that the "great spirit" is actually God. I think they can also reject God and be damned. That is all just my opinion though and not backed up in scripture that I am aware of.

 

The parts I've highlighted in blue are where your conclusion breaks down in the Biblical model.

#2 -- While it's true that the God of the Bible will not hold anyone accountable to scriptural doctrine they've never been taught, that doesn't equate to an altogether "free pass". There are other standards applied to those who have no knowledge of Biblical standards.

#4 -- Spreading the news of the Lord doesn't automatically 'condemn people to eternal torment' as much as it reveals the truth of a higher, merciful authority. It's still up to the individual whether or not he or she chooses to take advantage of that mercy and submit to that higher authority.

 

As far as the topic of this thread goes, consider these two passages:

For those who have never heard the gospel:

...and for those who have, but have rejected it:

 

my musing is more in regards to a now-extinct true religion and not christianity, per se, but #2 is still a lesser charge than that of christianity, isn't it? or maybe not. some, i suppose, disagree here -- see confession, death-bed.

#4 is just a way a different way of looking at it -- holistically, one could argue that one is more likely to end up in hell if they hear the word of god because they could potentially reject it, whereas if they never heard it, they'd be fine.

 

I'm not quite following what you mean by a "lesser charge than that of Christianity".

I suppose you could, but that's certainly not the motivation for evangelism. The idea is that the majority of people who hear the word of God will accept it and be saved, not the other way around.

 

"accept jesus and the christian way of life" vs "be good". according to (some) christians, i'm going to hell. but i suspect if i hadn't heard of jesus, then my actions alone would get me to heaven. i would be better of having never heard the word.

 

Okay, I'm tracking with you now.

If you died as you believe now, the Bible says you'd likely be condemned to hell -- but primarily because you've rejected God, not because of any petty 'misdeed' you might have committed.

But from what I've seen from your posts (which is really all I know of you), I kind of doubt you'd even consider the possibility of the existence of God, even if you hadn't heard of Him. Am I right? If so, that would also be enough to condemn you, based on the Romans 2 passage.

The primary Biblical question of salvation isn't behavior -- it's the level of acknowledgment of God.

 

They are going to hell.

Romans 3:23
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.

It says all, not some.

Romans 5:12
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

This is where the Original Sin part comes in. We are born with sin.

John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

That's pretty clear.

 

This is my main argument against Christianity. Either the above scripture is false; or it is grossly UNjust & UNmerciful. In either case, I can't accept it.

 

Then you will love this one. The bible is silent on infant salvation. There is no "age of accountabilty" mentioned in the bible. And since we are born with the "Original Sin"..... I'll let you figure it out from there.