Andrew Brown. AFAIK there is no definite answer. A number of texts are typically cited in support of this position. Here we see something akin to what Karl Rahner would call “Anonymous Christianity,” where those who do not know Christ by name still give their lives over to Goodness.  Since all Goodness comes from Christ, they turn themselves over to Christ anonymously.  For these people, Lewis sees the possibility of Salvation.  Lewis puts it this way: …Though all salvation is through Jesus, we need not conclude that He cannot save those who have not explicitly accepted Him in this life.  And it should (at least in my judgment) be made clear that we are not pronouncing all other religions to be totally false, but rather saying that in Christ whatever is true in all religions is consummated and perfected.  But on the other hand, I think we must attack wherever we meet in the nonsensical idea that mutually exclusive propositions about God can both be true.[2]. This was a thought-provoking post, until I reached the Hollywood ending and we all lived happily ever after. It's not an option. Revelation 20:12 doesn’t say unbelievers are “taught” from the books. Change ). Help us continue to inspire New Evangelizers through your tax deductible donation today. Karl Rahner articulated what Lewis pointed to in his theory of Anonymous Christianity.  In short, if someone, through no fault of his or her own, does not know of Christ and His Church, yet still strives to live a good life, then it is possible for them to be saved. Can Non-Christians go to Heaven? Who are the rest of the dead? Is it fair for Him to punish people in hell for being born in the wrong place at the wrong time? 1. But, again, I enjoyed the post. I am a devoutly Catholic theology teacher who loves a popular culture that often, quite frankly, hates me. Now that you have the answer, you might want to go back to what ever you were doing. Acts 7:55–60 • But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. In this blog I will attempt to bring together the things of heaven with the things of earth. It’s just that atheists don’t think anyone else goes to heaven, either. He is not a way, He is The Way.  There is no path to heaven that does not go through Jesus Christ. The real truth about Death & Resurrection is that everyone gets a second chance. The books (Greek biblion) refer to the books of the Bible. Oju you spoke well, but did answer my question.the question is can a non christian go to heaven?if yes why, and how? I don’t know that this is a good thing, but it has given me a common vocabulary to draw from in order to illustrate whatever theological point I make in class. Where God’s spirit is, there is a figurative heaven. He could not even save the majority of mankind from the evil works of the Devil! Of course this goal may be too lofty for someone like me. But if there is a real impediment to knowing Christ explicitly, the person must still live a life a virtue because they are giving their life to Christ as best they know Him.  As Lewis said, this is not to say that all religions are equal paths to God.  All things must still go through Christ, even if anonymously. if no, then clear the air for all. 1 /1 Pope tells atheists: You don't have to believe in God to go to heaven. Let’s see how Jesus reflects on the subject. After they are given life, they will be given an opportunity to learn about God’s Word. This question implies that salvation is by works. He does not want anyone to perish. By saying they don’t need Christ means that Christ’s death and resurrection isn’t really needed. How can a person – even a Pope – be confident enough to say that an atheist is in heaven? Exclusivity is the hallmark of Christianity. Daily Coronavirus Briefing. And other questions for the year 2001. or Why does GOD allow evil?” There is a great explanation about this given by Ravi Zacharias on YouTube. “It’s only by grace you have been saved, through faith — and it is not from yourselves, it is that gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9) Heaven and hell as literal places are pre-scientific concepts. Can Unbelievers or Non-Christians Go to Heaven? But the Bible declares that “God is love” (1 John 4:8) and “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4, see also 2 Peter 3:9). But the follow-up question of “How can a non-Christian go to heaven?” is a bit more complicated. Who can go to heaven? Let’s just assume that Jesus is using figures of speech here, that He didn’t actually mean what He said; because He is literally saying that the Queen of Sheba, Assyrians from Nineveh and the Jews are all going to be judged at the same time. Some people will immediately object and say that many billions of people don’t believe this.  But that is irrelevant.  A thing’s truth is not based on how many people believe it, but on whether or not it accurately reflects reality.  Also, if there is another way to get to heaven besides Jesus, then that would mean that God the Father is a sadist and Christ was a fool. Jesus tells us, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit” (John 3:5). Therefore if any man swear by Tash and keep his oath for the oath’s sake, it is by me that he has truly sworn, though he know it not, and it is I who reward him. Q: How do non-Christians enter heaven without sanctifying grace? You have to be alive to be judged!!! Thank you for your kind comments. And if any man do a cruelty in my name, then, though he says the name Aslan, it is Tash whom he serves and by Tash his deed is accepted… [U]nless thy desire had been for me thou wouldst not have sought so long and so truly. I would rather see them stop sinning and live. 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time Gospel: Matthew 21: 33-43 Topic: Can Non Christians Go To Heaven? God being spirit, is in a spirit place. : Inclusivism: Non-Christian believers will avoid Hell if they worship a deity of some sort, because God works through all of the world's religious faiths.Agnostics, Atheists, Buddhists, etc. Robbinson December 22, 2009, 11:37pm #4 “Look,” he said, “I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. Be it as trivial as jay walking or a serious crime like murder. John 3:18)? Answer : In the year 2000 the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a document called “Dominus Jesus” – the Lord Jesus. The short answer is “YES, they may“. So can a non-Christian go to heaven? It says they are “judged” by the things written in the books. This article is more than 4 years old. I’m not an expert on the Bible… maybe they know something we dont… But thats OK… We dont need to be an expert on these things. So can a non-Christian go to heaven? The short answer is yes. It is a Hollywood ending. [ I can’t imagine of a simpler agreement or term to avoid the consequence that is due to us]. The Bible’s most famous verse declares that “ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life ” (John 3:16). The new Catechism from the US Bishops says in its first chapter that there are three reasons why someone may legitimately not find the truth of the faith: It is possible that each of these could lead to an impassable barrier between a person and the Church.  Notice I am being very vague in the language, because this is something that can only be judged by God in the individual.  I cannot tell if someone’s ignorance is invincible or if they are using scandal as an excuse for dodging the faith.  But God knows, and we should leave that judgement to Him. These are just a few verses showing God’s infinite mercy, love, and compassion toward us. Re: Christians: Can a Non-Christian Go to Heaven? He answered, Child, all the service thou hast done to Tash, I account as service done to me…. I was going to say that, but a Christian would already know that. Those saying "non-christians" will not go to heaven should go and do a simple study of John 10:16 and Romans chapters 1-5 (or if too lazy read only Romans chapter 2). Who are the Catholic popes to go against the Bible and teach that “non-Christians” can go to Heaven without being born-again? Christ and His saints will rule for 1,000 years (commonly called the Millennium). Israel, stop the evil you are doing. ( Log Out /  salvation - can non-christians be saved? “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, NOT willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”, “Tell them that as surely as I, the Sovereign LORD, am the living God, I DO NOT ENJOY SEEING SINNERS DIE. [Tash and I] are opposites, I take to me the services which thou hast done to him. Saying non Christians can get into heaven is saying that they don’t need Christ, but the Bible says we must believe in Christ. It would be easy to say, "hey the Catholics think all non Christians are going to … So to answer your question, we now that Christians can enter heaven but we do not know if it is possible for non-Christians to enter heaven or not. In John 14:6 Jesus declares, "I am the way and the truth and the life. Several decades ago, theologian Fr. If a former pope says non-Catholics can go to heaven, why be Catholic? The answers can be found in the two Biblical books devoted to prophecy: Revelation and Ezekiel. It assumes that Christians go to heaven because of … Obviously, a non christian, may have never heard about Jesus. This is probably the “One Question” raised by Atheist’s that literally stumps the average Christian. New Evangelizers, Inc. is a 501(c)3 * non-profit organization. No, we want the pilot to remain narrowly focused! Jesus Christ dogmatically stated: “I am the way, the truth and the life. How about those millions of babies who didn’t even have the chance to even understand what the Bible says? I hope someone finds this useful. The cross makes this so.  If I can be saved through the Dharma or the Koran or just being nice to people, then God the Father made His Son suffer and die a horrible, torturous death for no reason.  But the Father is not a sadist and Christ is not a fool, so we can only achieve salvation through Jesus. Too bad. This video blog will answer the question that I often get asked: Can non-Christians or unbelievers go to heaven? On this planet, we have to pay a price every time we break a law. It was the first time I had encountered the death of a loved one. II. It never fails that in each of my high school religion classes someone asks, “Can a non-Christian go to heaven?”. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here” (Matthew 12:41-42). Then, after the Millennium, another group will be resurrected to life. I could find. This would mean that God is a complete failure! Could a loving God sentence people to an eternity of torment for not having had a chance to hear about Jesus? This group is called “the rest of the dead” (verse 5). Those who worship God, worship in spirit. ( Log Out /  God will be where God will be – even in a manger. Christians do not proclaim salvation in any other but Jesus Christ; “for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). So what happens to non-Christians who do not follow Jesus, or atheists who do not believe in God at all – can they get to Heaven? He said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. The short answer is yes. The login page will open in a new window. I’ve used American Pie the song to explain the Book of Revelation (I’ll post on this some time later) and American Pie the movie to help explain Eucharist (don’t ask). Those who were blinded to God’s truth before (Mark 4:11-12; Revelation 12:9) will then have the Bible opened to them—so they can truly understand it! Something like reincarnation even. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. The other being “How can a benevolent GOD, create suffering that kills innocent children? I’m going to be careful about saying that those who have never heard the gospel will go to heaven. For I and he are of such different kinds that no service which is vile can be done to me, and none which is not vile can be done to him. All we have to do is put our faith in him. How does one obtain eternal life? The point is that the popular culture is popular for a reason. In fact, He wants to save as many people as possible. Pope tells atheists: You don't have to believe in God to go to heaven. In recent decades, however, some prominent theologians like the late German Jesuit priest Karl Rahner have wrestled with the question whether non-Christians can be saved through their own religions. We can not control this … Even if one did hear about Jesus, very few are willing to step outside the comfort of the religion that they were born in. Then again, Christians and atheists can’t even agree… When Jesus had to confront the Pharisees of his time who were demanding a sign from him. I have to go thought that post again and figure out what I was thinking. Would a loving God condemn them to hell? “And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night” (Revelation 14:11). Forget everything that you have been told by secular media. Christian or not, we are all fallible, even the best among us have shame written on our back side. We know that people are saved and that the major religions share elements of the Truth with Christianity, so Lewis allows for the possibility of non-Christians to enter the Kingdom.  Emeth is very different in his character than the villains of the story.  They reject Christ/Aslan not through honest misunderstanding of the truth, but by blind devotion to their evil passions.  They did not listen to the call to virtue. We are SINNERS and Jesus is the SAVIOR. Trends in opinions about religious exclusivity About the survey. Of course the working assumption is that the reader believes in GOD. But God has not told us whether there may be some other way to enter heaven through Christ that He has not told us about. next post: All Saints Day: Holiness Is for Everyone! About this episode Join Fr Rob and Alyssa for this episode of the Catholic Influencers Podcast. We read, “And books were opened” (Revelation 20:12). Can Non-Catholics Go to Heaven? by lexyflexy ( m ): 2:00pm On Dec 14 , 2005 This question appears regularly in discussions with Christians, Muslims and Atheists. If I die in Japan, can a Christian like me go to Japanese Shinto (or Buddhist) heaven, according to the tenets of Japanese religion? ... Will God prevent a good and morally upright atheist from going to heaven; while allowing a reformed child molester to go to heaven? Catholics believe these people will go to Purgatory (a step before heaven). As a child I first came to understand how this could be when I read the last Narnia book by C.S. We should know but, sadly, in Calvinist reformed churches I grew up in, as well as many Pentecostal & charismatic churches, there is a firm belief to the contrary. The law is absolute and we have to face the consequences. How about those people who lived and died in places where Christianity is forbidden or during the times when it would be difficult for them to know Christ? I think the Christian knows the answer to that – Yes He Will (Prevent the atheist from going to heaven). That is a long definition, and every part of it is important.  If we all desire God, then how is it possible that we all don’t find him? They take up a huge part of my life. Your post is acutely relevant. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! The catholic church teaches that non christians can go to heaven ( and have), however it is easier to go with in the Church. Answered by Fr. ... His statement on salvation for non-Christians surprised many Vatican observers, since it is theologically liberal. Can Non-Christians go to Heaven??? “The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here. For all find what they truly seek.[1]. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Revelation 20 talks about the first resurrection, when Satan will be bound for a thousand years immediately after Christ’s return (verses 1-3) and of the resurrection of the saints—Christ’s faithful servants throughout the ages (verses 4-6). Don’t Christians have to rely on the authority of the Word of God, which clearly teaches that those who don’t believe will be condemned (e.g. All of these people, the billions upon billions of them, will finally be able to understand the Bible, know and believe and obey Jesus Christ and have the opportunity to live forever. Let me flip this around. ( Log Out /  I think the Christian knows the answer to that – Yes He Will (Prevent the atheist from going to heaven). Imagine you found out you had a long-lost child.  You tracked them down and wanted to judge whether or not they were a good and faithful child.  You wouldn’t base it on how many Christmas cards you got, because they have never met you.  Instead, you would judge their character based on how they treated their parents as best they knew them. Will all non-Christians go to hell when they die? Fr Feeney taught literally that outside the Catholic Church there is no salvation and only Catholics can go to heaven. You are right. I remember being struck at my grandmother’s composure throughout this time–the weeks leading up to his death, the funeral, and the days after. Agnostic: We have conflicting and/or inadequate information in the Bible and cannot reach a definitive belief about salvation. Not all see straight. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). Only by faith in the Seed of God's Word concerning the gospel can any man be born anew of the Spirit of God. There is no salvation apart from Jesus Christ. So, what is the fate of those nonbelievers and non-Christians? Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Jesus says. I. August 28, 2018 August 29, 2018 curryNcode. Classical evangelical doctrine holds that salvation comes only through faith in Jesus Christ, and that those without such faith will be condemned to hell. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. A: You touch on an intriguing topic. On the other hand, Christians who believe that non-Christians can go to heaven don’t have that driving force compelling them to convert everyone from the corner grocer to major pop stars and sports heroes. Jesus is present in Purgatory, and everyone there will accept Jesus as the Saviour before they enter into heaven. As of today I’ve watched over 2100 movies and tv shows. All we can do is trust our loved ones to the loving mercy of our good God. This is the hope for all the people Christ mentioned—people like the queen of Sheba and the inhabitants of Sodom—and all the other people who have ever lived and not known the true God and His truth. What will happen to the unbelievers? It is an important question that preys on many of us.  We have seen people of heroic moral virtue in other faiths, like Gandhi.  Most of us know people who are not in the Church or have left the Church.  We worry about their salvation and want to be assured that we will be with them in paradise. But I said, Alas, Lord, I am no son of thine but the servant of Tash. You can find St. Paul saying in the First Letter to Timothy that Jesus gave himself as a 'ransom for all.' [Because they simply can’t believe such a ludicrous claim]. Come to think of it. How do we say that no one is saved outside of Jesus and yet say that non-Christians can be holy people who we will see in heaven? When the likes of Sam Harris questions the authenticity and relevance of the God of the Bible, this is what you tell them. Jesus is simply saying, that he will bear our punishment so that we can be set free from the law. Revelation 20:12 then goes on to say, “Another book was opened, which is the Book of Life.” This represents the opportunity for eternal life being opened to all these people. No one comes to the Father except by Me.” (John 14:6) He is not a way, He is The Way. To clarify the Church’s teaching, the Holy Office, with the approval of Pope Pius XII, sent a letter to the Archbishop of Boston, Cardinal Richard Cushing, on 8 August 1949. Lewis, The Last Battle.  In the book, there is the Christ-lion, Aslan.  But the Calormenes worship a demon god named Tash.  One Calormene named Emeth desires to serve his god honorably..  Upon seeing Aslan, he approaches to kill him, and the following happens: But the Glorious One bent down his golden head and touched my forehead with his tongue and said, Son, thou art welcome. The Texts. God is spirit. Will they also be saved or be eternally tormented in hell-fire? The summer before 7th grade, my grandfather died. Even Islam is more inclusive than Christianity. But rarely do you hear it said by Catholics so forcefully, and with such evident joy. This will be accomplished by God offering His Holy Spirit to billions of people (Ezekiel 37:14). Grow in Faith – The Need for New Evangelizers. I also found the same with a Messianic Rabbi friend. by Caitlin Sica. Therefore judgement is unavoidable. Jesus said, YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN (John 3:5-7). And then try to square that with what they are saying. Honest rejection of Christ, however mistaken, will be forgiven and healed- ‘whoever shall speak a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him.’  But to evade the Son of Man; to look the other way; to pretend you haven’t noticed’ to become suddenly absorbed in the something on the other side of the street… this is a different matter.  You may not be certain yet whether you ought to be Christian; but you do know you ought to be a Man, not an ostrich hiding its head in the sands.[3]. i'm a Muslim and in Islam you don't need to be a Muslim to enter heaven but if god in Christianity is loving to the world why would he save only the Christians because this seems very hateful that 5 billion people will burn in hell it's just hateful and evil so can righteous man be saved? It is woven into the fabric of our lives and imaginations, for good or ill. Will they all be thrown into the lake of fire even if it wasn’t their fault? A majority of all American Christians (52%) think that at least some non-Christian faiths can lead to eternal life. What happens to all the people who die without knowing Jesus Christ? Why do you want to die?”. Make sure you read his description and try to imagine what this will be like when human bodies will be reassembled and then resuscitated. Millions of people today want salvation and the hope of Heaven, but on their own terms. PS: I wrote this article as a reminder to myself. Edward McIlmail, LC. -O.A. And in this era of religious controversies, it's a timely reminder that God cannot be confined to our narrow categories." Verse 12 reads: “I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God.” This will include the vast majority of those who have lived and died through the thousands of years of human history—all resurrected at the same time. The Bible teaches that those who had heard but then chose not to believe, will go to eternal condemnation. And traditional Christians think that atheists go to hell—an idea that atheists reject. If God is love, isn’t it unfair for Him to destroy the people who have never heard of Jesus Christ? The prophet Ezekiel was given a vision of this coming resurrection (Ezekiel 37:5-6), and he saw how God will give physical life back to what will turn out to be billions of people. It is just sad that the dogma (untested beliefs) of some churches can be very condemning instead of loving. Will God prevent a good and morally upright atheist from going to heaven; while allowing a reformed child molester to go to heaven? Please log in again. It is the same for God.  Those who don’t know Him by name but still live a life striving after goodness may be saved.  Notice it is “may” and not “will,” because just like Christians, non-Christians will be judged by their choices and why they made them.  But if they strive for goodness, then they are, in reality, striving for the source of goodness.

can non christians go to heaven

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