Posted by ezekiel 25:17 on June 05, 2001 at 14:31:01:
In Reply to: Re: Question posted by James 5:16 on June 04, 2001 at 12:55:45:
: You ask a very good question.
That's a very good answer, but perhaps you can answer a few further queries :)
: It turns out that we will all be judged based on our own experiences with the Lord.
By all means, use as many capitals as you like, for you can argue logically and coherently as well :) Just please don't add too many exclamation marks ;P
: 1) If we have been told of the Law (namely the Ten Commandments and the Levitical laws of the Old Testament)and we have been told how to escape those Laws (namely being saved by Christ), then we are held to that knowledge. If we choose to believe in those Laws, we escape damnation. If not, we are damned.
Does this in turn mean, that we are better off not knowing the laws at all. For as soon as we become aware of the Ten Commandments and Jesus Christ, we must unfailing obey or be forever damned?
: 2) If you are a person who has sinned without knowing the Law or being aware of it, (This is the instance of your African adult.) those who have sinned without the Law shall also perish without the Law. That adult will probably go to Hell, however, I am not the Judge. That's up to God, He'll judge those people because "when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, become a Law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing them or else defending them...God will judge the secrets of men." (Romans 2:14-16)
For a seemingly forgiving God who believes in freedom of choice, that also seems a bit harsh. Believe in me, or burn in hell forever?
What about if you were brought up in a society wherefore stealing was acceptable, and property was communal (aka gypsy). You would have lived your life according to the principles of your family, committed no sin, and lived a good life, yet you still are damned?
That's the thing which really confuses me. How can a forgiving God condemn a person for not believing in his laws, yet still living a basically good, wholesome and charitable life?
: 3) If the person is an infant, then the same rule applies. Very likely, the way I believe, an infant will go to Heaven based on the previous ruling.
What about IVF babies? Are they doomed from birth or do they have the same odds as anyone else?
What about those people born before the time of Jesus, (i.e. Ancient Greeks). Were all the people which were born before the Ten Commandments existed all doomed?
: Did that answer your question? I know I had to get the Bible out to answer it, but that is scripturally the solution.
Like all answers, it merely leads to further questions :)
Do your best, and it will be enough :)
: Thanks for reading,
: James 5:16