Originally posted by bbarr
I did not ask you to refrain from using scripture to support your view, I asked you to do more than simply regurgitate passages. Further, I am not concerned about the mere possible misinterpretation of scripture. I am concerned that there is a discrepancy between the treatment of those who have never heard the "good news" and those who have. Apparently, th more reasonable to wait until death to see what God has to say about why we should believe?
First of all, consider the simplicity of the message: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life" (John 3:16). One does not need to be a highly educated intellectual in order to understand or convey its meaning. What
is required, in order to appropriate the realities indicated in the message, is trust. The simplicity of its message and its call to faith make the gospel practical for even small children.
"At that time Jesus said, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will" (Matthew 11:25-26).
That one might hear this message preached straight from the horse's mouth is no guarantee that one would choose to taste the humility of repentance for hearing it. Many would sooner burn in hell than acknowledge the heinousness of their sins and seek forgiveness, even when forgiveness is offered, because of pride. Christ raised the dead to life, cleansed lepers, healed the sick, and gave sight to the blind, yet many people chose to reject him. Obviously being preached to by Christ Himself does not make his gospel any easier to believe.
"So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, ‘How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.’ Jesus answered, ‘I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name testify to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish" (John 10:24-29).
The questions you pose are impossible to answer because what is involved is a matter of accountability. If one misunderstands the message of the gospel, obviously then one is responsible for seeking a true understanding; if one does not seek a true understanding, then one is held accountable to the gospel just as if one
did understand it and chose not to believe it. I do not see how it could be otherwise. Those who ultimately believe in Christ are those who seek Christ. "‘Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you" (Matthew 7:7). If a person purposefully chooses not to listen to the warnings and admonitions of silly Christians, instead waiting until death to see what God himself has to say about why we should believe in him, that person would find himself standing before God in order to be judged, not preached to. The truth is, even this short post has revealed enough of the good news for anyone reading it to be held accountable, making such questions moot. Perhaps what you should ask is, 'what, then, is the purpose of hearing and believing the gospel while still alive?'