Got Questions?

Why would a good God allow people who have never heard the name of Jesus to be condemned to hell?

The question of death and hell bother all of us. When considering today’s question copied above, I realize I have a perspective about God that someone who isn’t a Christian doesn’t share. Whether I understand something fully or even think something is askew or isn’t fair, I always fall back onto God’s nature as revealed in the Bible. Whether I can understand something or not, I know that God is good, loving, just, and right and always acts in agreement with His nature. That means that if I don’t agree with something or question God’s actions, I have to know that the problem is probably related to my lack of knowledge or twisted perspective. For people who do not embrace the truth of the Bible, however, their first response may be to question God’s character and the fairness of His actions.  Or, they may go so far as to deny the existence of God and the reality of heaven and hell.

But what about this question? Why would a good God allow people who have never heard of Jesus to go to hell? The way the question is worded means God’s goodness is in question. Is God good?

Maybe we should consider another question that’s easier to answer. Why would a good judge condemn a serial killer to life in prison or death? What about this question: Why would a good society made up of good people and good law makers punish someone for a crime, even if that person didn’t realize he or she was breaking the law? Have you ever heard the phrase, Ignorance of the law is no excuse?

These issues do not put a judge’s goodness in question or cause us to doubt the character of our law makers. Actually, a judge who didn’t condemn a serial killer wouldn’t be good. We expect judges to be just. Do we expect God to be just?

But what about those who have never heard of Jesus? Does sin have a consequence whether a person has heard of Jesus? Are people responsible for their sins regardless of their knowledge of God?

Yes. Although everyone is born a sinner, everyone also chooses to sin. People are not being judged for someone else’s actions but for their own. And, God has placed a moral compass in the hearts of people, and that compass is a call to seek what is right, which will ultimately lead to God.

The Bible also states that God offers a general call to all people through His creation. Romans 1:20 indicates that the creation alone is enough to lead people to question and seek. The issue then is if someone seeks for God, will they find Him? The prophet Jeremiah told Israel that if they sought for God, they would find Him (Jer 29:13). From Romans 1:20, and from other passages in the Bible relating to God’s character (goodness, compassion, mercy, etc.), I conclude that the beauty of creation is enough to lead someone to wonder and seek. If people seek for God, God will reach across the divide and make Himself known to those individuals.

We’ve seen evidence of this throughout history. God has revealed Himself in supernatural ways to those who were seeking for Him. It’s happened in the past, and it will continue to happen in the future.

It is true that for those who have heard the name of Jesus, it seems like they have a better chance. It does underscore why it’s important for Christians to evangelize and support missions, but God says that everyone is privy to enough of His call to make them accountable for their sin.

I have a lot of “buts” related to this question, but I have to land on the side of trusting God. The Bible is clear that God is not willing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance (2 Pet 3:9).Sin has consequences because God is just. Because God is merciful, He has provided a way out, and that way is Jesus. Having never heard of Jesus is a barrier, but it’s not a barrier so big that God can’t overcome it. It worked for many people in the Bible, and it still works today.