Can God send someone to Hell who is born outside the Christian faith? | John Lennox at UPenn

John Lennox (Oxford emeritus) responds to the question, What if someone was born outside the Christian world, in atheistic Europe or Hindu India? Would God send such a person to Hell? | University of Pennsylvania, 2012 | Explore more at www.veritas.org.
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[@kaylo492]

I thank God for Mr. Lennox. He explains things so simply even a child could understand. He emulates Jesus in this regard.

[@gknight4719]

Yes and hopefully a child will ignore it!

[@daveytube]

Becuase John is patient and willing to offer a fuller explaination which, being a simple guy, I really appreciate.

[@ronniepisimi5072]

I am from Papua New Guinea and I thank you for calling out my country! I confirm that The Great God Almighty exists, lives, rules and reigns and will do so, forever, for all eternity! He was, is and will always be! Amen!

[@tahirahmed33]

Read the holy Qur'an and speak to islamic scholars !

[@williambilly3269]

👍🙏🇬🇧

[@robmarshall956]

God bless you Ronnie 🙏✝️

[@johnpro2847]

no need to highlight certain countries ..no nice..People from everywhere believe in all sorts of things ....

[@judylloyd7901]

​@@johnpro2847 The idea was to give a concrete example of cultures which have no information about Jesus Christ, etc.. It was neither nice nor nasty to mention a particular culture, since the question was about people groups which haven't heard the gospel and therefore cannot respond to the gospel. It was a statement of fact, not a slight on the culture. 😊😊

[@edwardbrunker2351]

Prof. Lennox is such a wonderful man

[@JoanKentBible]

Agree. I am always delighted when one of his videos pop up that I haven't seen before

[@psalm421]

He’s my favorite 😊

[@helpmaboabb]

He's insufferably smug

[@user-mg1jp2qf7h]

A highly respected man John Lennox is. Could hear a pin drop.

[@GeoCoppens]

Yes, from an intellectual pinhead like John Lennox!

[@blackfalkon4189]

@@GeoCoppens you christian? (if so what's your denomination)

[@GeoCoppens]

@@blackfalkon4189 No religious belief for me! Nothing!

[@blackfalkon4189]

@@GeoCoppens you scientist?

[@GeoCoppens]

@@blackfalkon4189 Yes, a cognitive psychologist and a philosopher of science!

[@joelusk8264]

I think, the more we know, the more we will be accountable for.

[@misskim2058]

I think that’s why people don’t want to know true things. They want to be able to claim ignorance of their own responsibilities.

[@nnerwyn3065]

I know its my brother matata 😂😂😂👍

[@yamimementomori]

Yeah there's a concept of willful ignorance and denial.

[@motivenation5706]

Yeah thats accurate

[@menzikhayazulu3492]

This is true

[@jordan6030]

A very elegant answer to a pretty tough question!

[@ls907]

One of the best response I've heard in relation to this type of question which is "loaded" like a gun to catch a believer.

[@williambilly3269]

I hope God forgives me, I get so lost in depression and fatigue at times,

[@geoculus5606]

Just believe on Jesus.

[@jfshotgun1329]

I truly enjoy listening to Professor Lennox. He has a kind heart.

[@JoanKentBible]

Thank you, John Lennox. You always strengthen and encourage me in my faith.

[@jamesmcallister9645]

John Lennox a true scholar of Christianity and the truth. Glory to God.

[@dhlaminimultimedia9397]

God is great 🙌👌

[@mikebrown9850]

A very good answer from the professor. Here’s the answer from the Bible: “But he that knew not and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whosoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.” - Luke 12:48 -This speaks to God’s mercy, system of justice and perfect judgment.

[@Virginia.Espinosa]

Brilliantly put. That's what I believe. Thank you prof Lennox

[@juanoviedo82]

People, specifically non-Christians, have misconceptions of God. I've been looking at these comments and there were a few comments that I'd very much like to address. Someone described God in relation to man like this: "It's like a father giving there child a gun and say 'Have at it.'" First, God gives us the free choice to choose to follow Him or not. He doesn't force you to do anything and, while freedom of choice is a powerful thing, I wouldn't really call it a "gun." Second, God provides provisions and instructions. Not so much as condemning, but correcting. He doesn't throw you into this world and leave you blindly wandering. He provides the thing you need (a.k.a. His word). There was another comment that said that God isn't all-loving. Well, to what do you think God is all loving? To people? To sin? If sin is the case, God hates it. See, God is all loving in the sense that He loves every person. Jesus loves sinner but hates the sin. When the bible says God is all-loving, I'm pretty sure it's talking about it in the sense that He loves every person. God doesn't demand anything from us, He gives us the choice to give to Him. It's our choice and that decision that ultimately determines your fate. You cannot liken God to a thief holding a gun to your head and demanding your wallet because God isn't forcing you to give up anything. He wants to save you but if you don't accept, that's your decision. The more logical thing to liken God is to a man trying to save you from a burning building by holding out His hand; but, again, it's your choice to accept him or not.

[@GaudioWind]

juanoviedo82 Where did you get this God from? Was it from the Bible?

[@thatonegamer9547]

Gaudio Wind it’s better than believing everything happened by chance and we are just purposeless organisms living on a planet with nothing to do but die.

[@RR-mp7hw]

That One Gamer Truth does not depend on your liking it and is not a product of wishful thinking. Believing you will win the lottery may be better than believing you will not, but that belief is worthless as a guide to what is true.

[@thatonegamer9547]

Rafael Robyns but you are still left with the question of where did the energy for the Big Bang come from, where the space came from for the energy to expand into, and how did molecules evolve? It’s not a special pleading fallacy to say that there must’ve been a creator who designed this. The lack of belief in God immediately raises the question of how everything got started, and if you summarize it, the hypothesis is that everything came out of nowhere

[@RR-mp7hw]

That One Gamer I'm okay with unanswered questions. The only honest answer in a case where you don't know something is, "I don't know." It certainly is special pleading to fill in gaps in our knowledge with unsupported must'ves. It's the equivalent of once having asserted that Thor must've created the lightning bolts because we lacked a natural explanation for them.

[@vinaychauhan5878]

Amazing....Blessings from India!

[@tobaiseaton7807]

Me too

[@rep3e4]

Awesome

[@MovieModerator]

Hell is merely the complete and absolute absence of God. That, in itself, is the most severe form of torture.

[@bluegtturbo]

Can't see much wrong with dying and staying dead - doubt anyone will worry too much about it when they're dead!

[@robertosvrahimis3304]

I live in complete and absolute absence of god now and I feel great, thank you very much.

[@rotorblade9508]

The Universe doesn’t seem that bad, and there’s no god. 😂

[@peterrobinson4471]

@@robertosvrahimis3304 or so you think. A man who commits a crime and has not be caught or tried feels absolutely great living a normal life. But when he is teied and sentenced and is put away, then he realizes that even the basics of life in a free world, wasn't such a basic thing after all. Im saying that i believe the absence from God will be faced after the teial and sentenced. "Enjoy" it while you can I say.

[@robertosvrahimis3304]

@@peterrobinson4471 This punishing god of yours is worst than hell my friend. Maybe god is hell then?

[@praveenliverpool]

We said Prof Lennox. Keep up the good work

[@thomasrobinette3227]

Well said?

[@D800Lover]

This what God says re child sacrifices: "And they have built the high places of Topheth, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, *in order to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire, a thing that I had not commanded and that had not come up into my heart.*" Why would a loving God burn anybody? The Valley of the son of Hinnom referred to here, was outside the walls of Jerusalem, is the same place that Jesus called Gehenna. That place and its history made it an unclean place and it was used as a garbage dump where a sulfur fed fire was used to incinerate the city's refuge. That fire of Gehenna Jesus uses as an example of everlasting destruction - remember Adam was told he would "return to dust" - not torture, but *NON-EXISTENCE*. So the choice is between life or death, life to enjoy, but on God's loving terms of not harming others, or the grave, where Solomon said the dead knows nothing at all. "For the living are conscious that they will die; but as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at at all." Ecclesiastes 9:5. Death is like a permanent sleep and only a resurrection can bring them back to life, like Jesus did to his friend Lazarus four days later. Lazarus did not go to heaven and get recalled to go back to earth. No, Jesus had said "he has gone to sleep."

[@agluebottle]

A charming answer, and obviously heartfelt. An atheist myself, I think I'd still be able to have an interesting, productive conversation with this guy. I still feel his argument is rather ad-hoc, and more "hardcore" Christians would attack his position on those very grounds, but he seems like an ok dude.

[@themask706]

The majority are always wrong. If the majority was mostly right then the majority would be highly inteligent. We know that aint so. Its the ad hoc who grasp the truths.

[@LarJgrip]

@@themask706 You said, “The majority are always wrong”. So what do you say when the majority is right?

[@supersly3211]

I’m Christian but Stephen, I appreciate your answer. Peace and God bless 🙏🏿

[@brianblakley2535]

I’m in the same boat you are pal. I was raised in a fairly fundamentalist tradition and in my teens I was really tied in knots. I became utterly horrified at the logical conclusions this tradition led to. I also learned that they made stuff up all the time. From the Satanic panic, to what evolution was. As a consequence, I could no longer hold these beliefs. They seemed utterly evil as well as intellectually bankrupt. I realized I was in a cult. This is actually the first time I’ve heard anything reasonable come out of the mouth of a man of faith. (As I generally assume a person of faith to generally believe the same things more or less as ISIS or the Westboro Baptist Church) As an agnostic, I’m way happier and mentally healthier.

[@geoculus5606]

I hope you have come closer to God this last decade. :)

[@thomasgill223]

I misread this, but damn! I really wanted to hear John Lennon's thoughts on this.

[@muckerwood]

If he could speak, he would say get saved. Luke 16 vs 19-31.

[@LarJgrip]

John Lennon did make his thoughts known in word and in deed. And now he knows the truth.

[@beantown_billy2405]

God bless you John Lennox!

[@wesleyhite8203]

God, please, take the pain away.

[@johnkupa8885]

Thank you for mentioning my country Papua New Guinea 🇵🇬... However I regret knowing so much and now I will be judged accordingly.

[@baxterbell3881]

Lennox is correct. Second Chapter of Romans lays out perfectly what will happen to those who have never heard about Christ or God.

[@olivianatwick7603]

You have pointed out exactly what I would point out that Paul in the letter to the Romans has dealt with this problem. If we will look all around us the very nature of this planet screams at us the God is there.

[@baxterbell3881]

@@olivianatwick7603 Well said.

[@georgehenrykonning3171]

Lets wait till we get there

[@linjp2773]

Oh the kindness of God towards us, not wishing that anyone would perish. "Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?"

[@bht96]

I really hope he is right. I struggle big time with this question and don’t know how to answer it.

[@HomoSimpson928]

Same here! I really hope he is right, but it seems to me that his explanation is quite different from the mainstream understanding of the Gospel. But it certainly makes a whole lot of sense. Still the question remains as to why we should share the Gospel then, if it ultimately doesn't matter in terms of salvation. Is it to provide people with the chance of having a Christian life here on earth?

[@chriper77]

​@@HomoSimpson928If I lived in a remote part of the world, I'd still want to know who my Creator was, and that I had meaning and a purpose. I think that being presented with this gospel (or 'good news') could change my life. I always believed that there was a God or some type of higher being when I was kid. It wasn't until I was about 18 that I found out who that God was. It changed my life :)

[@werWeis5779]

Good video

[@Surfxeo]

I find the framing of Lennox answer curious. Instead of answering from Scripure which is the source of Christian knowledge he instead goes to C.S. Lewis. Scriptures says that those who are born of the flesh cannot inherit the Kingdom of God, one must be born by the Spirit of God to recieve eternal life. (John 3:5-8) All mankind is guilty of sin are all under the condemnation of God as all have sinned and come short of God's glory Only the Grace of God saves anyone and not anything in ourselves

[@shakespearecowboy47]

It's not love if they punishes you FOREVER for a choice you made. That's not justice

[@paulg1759]

which is why such a place DOESN'T exist. it is yet another false teaching from a false religion

[@thejuiceking2219]

and that's the trick, you sit there and say to people 'this is justice', and eventually if you say it enough they will conclude that it is just, because God is just and thus anything he does must therfore also be just, but how then do you justify punishing someone for eternity? simple, they must be evil, rotten to the core that's the ultimate point of christianity, to create in-groups and out-groups and say 'our side is good, their side is evil', and once you conclude that you can do whatever to them because it's all in pursuit of fighting evil, plus it encourages you to form an echo chamber around your side, after all, why would you ever listen to people you know to be evil?

[@kevinwhelan9607]

Couldn't have put it better myself.

[@glenview8]

Amen.

[@Surfxeo]

All are guilty and destined for hell because of sin, but God willing to show His mercy has chosen a number that no man can number to receive eternal life. No one knows who those people are but God know them and cares for them. It takes the work of the Spirit in the heart of those indivduals to keep them because otherwise noone is able to come and inherit eternal life. (Luke 18:26-27)

[@DrayDray78]

Amen 🙏 brother John like always ready to answer any question like the Bible asks us to prepare for

[@vanheath5382]

“Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. - John 17:3 Eternal Life doesn’t start when we die, but when we come to know God. This is why the Gospel is to be preached to the world, so that they might enter into eternal life.

[@algow5988]

What an excellent explanation.

[@JoshuaHults]

this answer is spot on, Those who have churches they can go to, bibles they can read, christians they can talk to, and still choose to be ignorant of God will be judged. Those who have none of these will not. Its quite simple, and hes right Jesus does come out and say it, " since you claim your not blind you are guilty " boom

[@annhalaseh]

I love John Lennox!

[@dr.debbiewilliams]

Keeping in context with current events, Which God are you referring to? I happen to love God.

[@firojgurung4331]

Amen

[@holandreas]

How can judgement and choosing to be absent from God be compatible?

[@Mypapishow]

WOW. Some of you are really over thinking this.

[@DerrickthePinecone]

In Romans Chapter 1, we are told that there is 'no excuse', because the CREATION ITSELF is enough 'evidence', so that obstructs anyone from saying to God, "I never knew.," &c. If a person is born blind and never sees the evidence, then how does God deal with that person? According to the Scriptures, the gospel is 1st Corinthians 15:1-4, which is what we must believe to be saved today. Ephesians 1:13 says that when we believe, we are SEALED by the Holy Spirit, which means that we're saved, so anyone that doesn't believe isn't sealed and they're not saved, which means they're destined for hell. It's really not that complicated.

[@baronbattles4681]

That is one of the most common failings in people’s thoughts, that we are all judged to the same standard. Remember the parable of the talents, if they all came up with the same result there would not be equal praise. Everyone is judged by what they do with what they have been given, aren’t they? And think of the body of Christ, not everyone is an eye, or foot, or ear, are they. God does not create clones. Everyone is unique, and in a constant state of change, aren’t we? If we are comparing ourselves with others and think we are better, aren’t we pointed in the wrong direction? Parable of prayer in the temple?

[@edenredeemed]

Here is the thing, God is in everyone to a certain extent. Anyone who truly seeks Him will find Him and His truth. Now how God brings the truth to an individual varies. He may send a servant of His, speak to you directly, give you visions, i don't know. There are many ways God could reveal Himself to a person if they would just simply seek Him. Everyone, no matter who or where you are on this planet, has the chance and option to seek God all the days of your life.

[@larrycarter3765]

Hardly !

[@Hunter3457]

@ Plain Speaker also, if God and Christianity are so evil and atheism is so good and caring, then answer this question, what has atheism ever provided or accomplished all throughout history that was beneficial to society?

[@kjellhansen1387]

WHO IS AFRAID OF AN OLD FRAGILE GHOST?

[@compulsivecommenter990]

What has "religion", people do it not beliefs

[@iwantmy2dollars]

Hunter3457 atheism is just a lack of belief in gods based on lack of evidence. It doesn’t purport to serve any community function. That is up to each person.

[@CharlesvanDijk-ir6bl]

Religion starts with atheism and sooner or later it regresses back into superstition. The first Christians were atheist as they opposed the Greek and Roman gods. The charge against Jesus was blasphemy but people like to believe they are special and chosen. Now superstition is back in Christianity confess and you go to heaven take the wafer on Sunday and you go to heaven, have sex only if the priest says it is ok and you go to heaven etc etc. Manipulation works every time.

[@GayorgVonTrapp]

Roads?

[@masonreigns7339]

Did he answer the question?

[@romanlaw5409]

Yes, he explained that people who did not know any evidence of God and were blind as a baby who just came out of he womb would not be condemned by God for not seeing what they cannot see. Then he answered the question of is mission necessary than and he answered and said yes because Christ commanded it so one could deduce that although in some circumstances people are blind like an Amazon tribe but Christ wanted all believers to show these people the light of the world so they could join Christ in everlasting happiness and rejoicing. I believe in the end all tribes will be made accountable as humans keep expanding into unknown territory and eventually say 200 years from now there will be no unknown tribes left for this question to be valid

[@masonreigns7339]

@@romanlaw5409 😐you high?

[@sambell385]

I think this question like many is almost impossible to have an exact answer as mortal humans, but think like in Romans 1:20 where it says to make up for the invisibly unseen creator we have the creation as evidence as a supreme power that exist! and also we have the thing of conscience ,we know instinctively that taken a persons life veiling or for a angered Rageful reason is instinctively wrong, or taking advantage of a woman sexually against her will forcefully we instinctively know things are wrong ! so I think there is an intuitive balance of knowing the existence of a sovereign creator, but I believe instinctively we have his presence build within us , and nowadays jungle people aren’t totally isolated in the forest there’s too much going on they go to villages and into city population’s to trade and get things nowadays ,so I think probably almost every single human has heard something about different religions and things in the world today, it’s much different than in the time of Christ when we didn’t have the media and a advanced world

[@growtocycle6992]

Paul says that the heavens declare the glory of God, so no one has excuse not to believe in God. What about this??

[@borgoff55]

Basically, God is not forcing anyone into heaven.

[@shawnstatzer95]

I am non-religious, but it would seem unfair to me (based on my understand of what unfair is defined as), that any god who would punish us for what understanding that we humans lack would be executed by an unfair god. That would be from a vengeful and egotistical god.

[@joel230182]

sure

[@peetjvdm]

..the school of nature was not able either to lead us to a knowledge of the true God and to His lawful worship or to discover the plan of salvation by which men might escape from the misery of sin to a state of perfect happiness growing out of union with God. Therefore the higher school of grace was necessary in which God might teach us by word the true religion, by instructing us in His knowledge and worship and by raising us in communion with Himself to the enjoyment of eternal salvation - where neither philosophy, nor reason, could ever rise. Francis Turretin Institutes of Elenctic Theology, I: 56

[@jamesm.9285]

I admire this perspective. Yet, what of Jesus being the only way to the Father and to Heaven? Are those who don't know Him condemned?

[@myrtleesther8855]

For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. Romans 1:18-23:

[@Surfxeo]

Extremely. Name just one.

[@Surfxeo]

It does matter what Scripture says for it is Gods word.

[@TaTa-ng1yu]

Absolutely true, sadly many Christians today do not believe the account of the book of Genesis (about creation ) anymore.

[@awworrell]

I have to admit the question could be worded much better. Europe isn't atheistic nor is India Hindu. In each place, there are numerous religious traditions in those countries. Certainly in india hindu is the most common; however, that doesn't make the country hindu. I also agree with John that the question is loaded. In that way though, the phrasing is good. The bible says a few things: 1. John 11:25-26 Jesus says: Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 2. John 14:6 Jesus specifically says "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." 3. John 14 is a brilliant chapter because jesus describes that if you believe in him, he will prepare a place for you in his fathers house. He also promises the holy spirit to those who believe in him and thus believe in this father. biblehub.com/niv/john/14.htm I say all of this to say that if a person doesn't believe in christ then clearly by christ's own words they will not get to the father. If they do not know christ, then clearly he will not prepare a place for them. By not preparing a place for them in heaven the only other place they can go is hell. Therefore God does send people to hell because he does not accept them into heaven by not knowing jesus. It also stands to reason by that if a person does not believe in jesus then he does not believe in God. In John 14:20 , Jesus specifically states "On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”" If a person doesn't believe or accept Christ for whatever reason, then they are not in him, do not follow his commandments, and are not in him. Therefore it stands to reason that, because they are not in him and he not in them they will not be loved by their father and are not loved by him. That is if they do not believe or have enough evidence ot believe they are not accepted by the father. It's clear then they are going to hell.

[@TheMark1632]

Deferred hope makes the heart grow sick seek and you shall find, heaven is in you fragments of the bible inspired and what Jesus said, regards if People in papua new guinea or no one heard of the Gospel even death and deaf blind can not separate us from God

[@jorgetorres1318]

Christ died for the whole world. It would be fitting that the whole world would hear and know Christ no matter where you lived in the world. Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:15-16. Let's remember that everything is for the glory of God. God is no respector of people. When we start looking at things as God does then we will understand Him a lot better. Let's pray for understanding and start seeing God with our spiritual eyes. Once we do that all the hard questions will become easy. God bless

[@holzkiewuf]

I love Lennox, but this is kind of a double-sided argument. In the first part, he talks about, "God doesn't send anywhere they don't want to go...it's your choice." The second part he talks repeatedly about God not condemning people for evidence they don't have...here the agent of choice shift from the person to God. Which is it? Are we deciding ourselves whether we will accept God's invitation or is God's judging us in some way? Thoughts? Can anyone synthesize this for me?

[@jonahmenikoff1997]

I agree. And he ignored Romans 1:18-20: "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world,[g] in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse."

[@grudzz7049]

What if you knew nothing about any religion and lived your life as you wished and never followed any religious codes or practices...what then?

[@jasontempleton2445]

A direct question needs a direct answer, doesn't it?

[@chrismachin2166]

Putting God “in the dock” is another example of man’s rebellion against the Creator of all things. The question we should all ask is why God saves even a single person.

[@werWeis5779]

Find that Video grsat

[@hasenturk]

Interestingly enough, the Qur'an says: We (God) never punish until we sent a messenger (to give a warning).

[@jpsundharam5924]

God is sovereign. Of course He can do what He wants. The question to ask is: Why would God want to send people to Hell, when the Christian view is very clear, that He would like to save each and every one? It is clear, from this question, that the questioner has not understood the objective of the Good Shepherd or the Parable of the Lost Sheep. [Matthew 18:12-14/ Luke 15:3-7]

[@DerrickthePinecone]

God doesn't 'send people to hell'! People send themselves there! They make the choice to deny the Blood of Christ; they would rather listen to the vain philosophies of men, which is based on fleshly things rather than mind the things of the Spirit, which is the truth. Spiritual things are truthful things, and it's more 'reality' than what we, as humans in our limited understanding and perception, can fathom.

[@tomhitchcock8195]

God can win over any man if He chooses.

[@ChingChang148]

From the proper perspective, k, we send ourselves there.-No dishonesty there.

[@Ozmulki]

I think it’s contradictory to say that if they were not presented with evidence and then say that Missions went out because Jesus commanded it. Why did he command it? Because he wanted every human to know him personally so they could believe and have eternal life. So we are all called to evangelise because without those who ‘had no evidence’ can be given that and brought to eternal life. Without them knowing, wouldn’t they be condemned to hell? So... I don’t think Lennox got that right! Or have I missed something? So, if I went to PNG and gave them evidence and they rejected it, they go to hell... if I left them alone, they didn’t? My school mates were of all religions who were given a New Testament and used it for Bible Knowledge class. That was a subject we studied. So by rights they had the evidence and similar students in another school perhaps did not study the New Testament...so they don’t go to hell? That doesn’t make sense to me. Does not Jesus want everyone to turn from sin and accept him as Lord and Saviour? Isn’t he the only way, the truth and life for everyone to gain eternity?

[@naamhaisiddhu]

❤

[@brianhyde5900]

God is bigger than our minds. God doesn't care what we believe about God because it makes no difference to being God. You can misrepresent God through the Christian myth of Hell if you wish and God will still Love you, because the Love of God is unconditional. However, YOU are the one who will be affected. Indeed, people can be psychologically screwed up by believing in hell. Now God cares about that, because God is Love.

[@Surfxeo]

I agree with you. We are only under the guilt of original sin, but the sin that babies are naturally under by nature are saved by the Grace of Christ and not by anything they can do of themselves. Jesus said unto such was the kingdom of God (Matthew 19:14, Luke 18:16) Jesus said you cannot see or even hear the Kingdom of God without being born again and continue under the power of the Holy Spirit. So if you are blind and deaf, it is impossible to come to Christ freely (John 3:3, 9:41, 10:26-30)

[@paco_lord87]

When did you hear Jesus said that...

[@DeeegerD]

You will not get to heaven without the Saviour. A day with God is as a thousand years to man. Ever hear of The Lord's Day? A thousand years with Christ as King and Saviour. This is a time of teaching. Everyone will know the Lord.

[@conscienceaginBlackadder]

"The whole point of love + relationship is" to say yes at ANY time, undoing an earlier saying of no. So would be violated by, its logic is wholly opposite to, violated by, the fundamentalist bigot idea of an unchangeable eternal damnation.

[@williamponraj3637]

Somebody clarify me why dinosaurs not mentioned in the Bible

[@ksw501]

The word dinosaur was not invented until 1841. The Bible was written much earlier than that. How could a word that wasn't invented until 1841 appear in a text that was written 1800 +/- years before it was ever created?

[@jerrym.3083]

Because the Bible only mentioned the creation of man. Dinosaurs could have been in the Garden of Eden - every living creature.

[@BENebuchadnezzar]

I can't help but think of Cornelius the centurion when Lennox talks about people worshipping God before any missionaries show up. When read carefully you find that Peter was sent that Cornelius may be saved. So sure, these people may have a knowledge of God, as does everyone who lives in a world that is fundamentally reflective of the character of God, but they still need to hear the Gospel in order to be saved. As for Abraham, Genesis says that 'Abram believed the LORD, and He credited it to him as righteousness.' Gen.15:6. Specifically Abraham believed the promise that God would multiply his descendants and that through his offspring all the nations of the world would be blessed. Galatians explains this better than I ever could; 'Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ.' Gal.3:16 And again it affirms that it was through faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ that Abraham was saved a little earlier in Galatians; 'Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: "All nations will be blessed through you."' Gal.3:8 So with this in mind I think that Lennox is a little amiss on this matter and his explanation of the revealed knowledge of God in creation seems to be amiss also. Our God does not condemn people for what they do not know I completely agree, that which is done in utter ignorance cannot be held against the person. However in Romans 1:20 we find that humanity is held accountable for their rebellion against God 'For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.' I do agree with Lennox though, in that it's not quite as simple as God 'sending people to hell' as the idea is not that of a criminal begging leniency in a courtroom only to be given the death sentence. But rather it is that of a criminal whom having been given bail and despite a royal pardon from the King offered to him, refuses the offer and continues to enjoy his undeserved bail time to do that which is worthy of death. But rest assured come that day when that man is to be judged, he won't come willingly and he won't just be sent to hell, he'll be 'thrown' in Rev.20:15. Note that both bail time and the pardon are entirely unrequired of the King to offer in this analogy, they both constitute as grace. Hence it is not required of God to save anybody, it is in fact a miracle of His love and mercy that anybody is saved at all.

[@ianstrange8709]

*****"Grace through faith" is meaningless trash- the same old bilge the church has been preaching for nearly 2000 years. It's so hard to believe that in the 21st century, people are still stubbornly clinging on to Bronze Age myths and tall tales. The ancient scriptures are way past their sell by date.

[@alexwilliams726]

Do not be deceived. Romans 2:12 For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law. We are condemned to hell because of sin. Sin separates us from God. If we die in our sins, we remain separated from God. That's why hell is hell. Because God is not there. Sin CANNOT enters God's presence. The problem is God wants to have a relationship with us but his justice must be satisfied. At the cross, God satisfied his justice and wrath by pouring it out on his Son, Jesus Christ. Then 3 days later, God raised him from the dead. Repent and believe the good news and be reconciled to God.

[@wesleyhite8203]

God, y do you hurt me so bad.

[@alicefish385]

God is the source of morality and right thinking; so God would not be unfair to someone who does not know about His Laws. The reason people suffer for doing sins and evils; is that they have distanced themselves from morality and right mindedness. God as the source of all goodness and blessings will reward His people for doing and for reducing and refraining from doing evils and sins. In the Genesis scripture verses of Abraham, Isaac and the burnt offering is a symbolic lesson from God that parents are to genuinely give their children a trust in God as their Savior. God is symbolically teaching mankind that the correct burnt sacrifice is the sacrifice of the parent's egos, by teaching your children to trust in God for their salvation. This bible story is often misunderstood by people, as evidence of an uncaring God; when it is actually meant to show that God is the real source of moral laws for all mankind. In Abraham's era, there were people who believed in burnt sacrifice as a way to appease the gods. So, God gave this bible lesson to teach mankind that it is wrong to sacrifice humans; and right to sacrifice our egos as personal saviors and then our children can learn to trust in God for their own salvation; which is my own bible theory on Abraham, Isaac and the burnt offering story.

[@wataboutya9310]

Mr. Lennox mentioned that he had some questions for the patriarch Abraham and one would think that he believes he will have that chance. That got me thinking about how that would be possible as his human form would no longer be available so he wouldn't have any tongue or lips to talk with?

[@honorablevessel]

The dead have bodies. See 1st Corinthians 15:40 "There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another."

[@grudzz7049]

What about all the people who ever existed before any religions.. who never followed any religious obligations....what happens to them...theres no mention in any texts about this...im sure some modern theologian will have a convenient answer..

[@jerrym.3083]

There is a form of hell for every religion or beliefs, even atheists. So people back then experience a form of hell - an atonement for their actions while still alive. No one gets away with anything - murder, stealing, abuse, kidnapping, deception, etc. All of our actions affect each of us.

[@grudzz7049]

Ahh thas ok..its a god job i dont believe in hell then..

[@grudzz7049]

I disagree...

[@paulavery5889]

Belief isn't a choice. It doesn't matter if you want to believe something, you can't make yourself believe what you don't believe. Nonetheless you believe God will condemn you for that for infinity which is evil.

[@GSpotter63]

Knowledge of God is the very reason why the Fallen angels can never be forgiven...They knew it all but chose to rebel anyway.

[@fuzionz_0043]

So why God created different people from different religions God put someone in different religions by himself

[@fuzionz_0043]

Ik now my grammar is not good

[@JoeMwangi]

Then how did Abraham go to heaven?

[@GustAdlph]

Hello Joe, even though Abraham lived long before Jesus was born, he went to heaven because he believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness.

[@John-lf3xf]

Joan C Muslims and Jews also believe in God

[@hermanwooster8944]

​@@John-lf3xf Abraham didn't merely believe that God existed. He believed what God revealed to him. God has since revealed His Son, Jesus Christ. If we refuse to believe what God has revealed, then we are calling God a liar and rejecting Him.

[@John-lf3xf]

@@hermanwooster8944 God has not children.

[@hermanwooster8944]

​@@John-lf3xf God does. In a broader sense, humanity is His children since He made us (Jews and Christians recognize God as their Father). But in a deeper sense, Jesus Christ is God's only begotten Son. He came and died for our sins that we may be saved.

[@brianbannon6746]

1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Ephesians 1:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:14

[@seedfarmer0416]

Heaven is where God lives , Heaven(s) is the sky or universe seeing from earth. If paradise was Adam and eve's habitat in book of genesis,the same place they got chased out of by God's angel,then paradise is not ''Heaven".Remember Luke 23:43 when Jesus told the thief on his right hand side that He will be with him in paradise today.Read Matt 12:40,1 peter 3:19-22,1 Peter 4:5-6,Ephesians 4:7-10 etc.Hades/Sheol had two regions with a gulf separating them according to Luke16 for people who died

[@AetherCraft252]

Nope, this is in defense to what would happen if one is ignorant. He did not say that we should be ignorant. In fact, Christians spread the gospel to remove ignorance.

[@seanmcdonaugh6289]

Why can't John just say Yes or No then follow it up with a simple answer and not a long drawn out philosophical answer?

[@habitualstudios]

No he is not saying that, he is saying God will not condemn you if you were not presented with any evidence. Only if you are "truly" ignorant.

[@radbot1]

Who else does it? You. It's your choice. He won't force you to love him. Hell simply means without God, so when you die that's it, it's over. But I believe it would have to be an absolute rejection of him for that to happen, not just a denile of his existence based on what you have or have not seen. If you don't happen to believe there is a God, but you would like there to be, then you might be VERY pleasently surprised when you die :)

[@willrobinson1229]

I think Catholics created Purgatory to help those who need extra time to get on track.

[@haraldmencke3252]

It is oversimplification... God could separate whoever who doesn't want to hear right away... He does not even "afterwards" without asking again and again... Of course, it is foolish not to ask questions in this life, but some answers are not that easy... God knows who, why, when and what next:) But there is no eternal hell like some say...

[@dallasburns7806]

So God commands missions which in millions of cases is the reason people will go to Hell for not receiving the gospel. 😂😂😂😂😂

[@MortenBendiksen]

Hell is simply that state you are in when judging and tallying the acts or thoughts of others, and deamnding punishment for it. Jesus comes into a world where this impulse is taking over, and basically decimates it on it's own premises. No one gets 'sent' anywhere.

[@PInk77W1]

God is infinitely reasonable