Is Jesus the only way?

[RustyAngeL]

As I was explaining my situation in another thread, a question rose up that I had asked my preacher. The question is as follows:

What about the people in the African jungle(or another isolated location) who have never heard the name of Christ, much less read a bible? Do they go directly to hell just because they were never given a chance to learn about this salvation?

Well this was answered quite well by Nebula. The answer was this...

Romans 2

11 For there is no partiality with God. 12 For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law 13 (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; 14 for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, 15 who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) 16 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.

This shows that God has a different plan for those who have not heard the name of Christ and never will before they die. But this also brings up another issue: Is Jesus Christ the only way to the Father?

Jesus states:

John 14:6

Jesus said to him[Thomas], "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

So was Jesus only stating a partial truth? Can it be reconciled as both being truth?

Please give me your thoughts.

In love,

system

When you get the time to read Romans (completely through) you will become familiar with a person name "Paul." Paul tells us that God said, "Everyman will know him!" So there can be no excuses as "I never knew God or HIS word." Ever ask yourself how man came to know about sin? Or when man does wrong , How do they know they are doing something wrong as opposed to the good feeling you get by doing right, or the work of God. Also, if you've ever read about those darkest corners of the Earth in the thickets of Africa, how did man come to have their own beliefs or come to pray for the "God or rain or food" If they had never been approached by outside humans, How did they come to worship, even in their own way? GOD IS AWESOME!

Blessings

Cajunboy

I have read Romans and am well aware of who Paul is. Don't take this approach, it is irritating and completely immature.

This is easily answered. How do these tribesmen come to believe in something? Maybe lack of science. They cannot explain some things, so believe them to be unexplainable. But most importantly for self-preservation. Deep in our hearts, we want to live forever. This is our main desire. We want our lives to never stop, what is there other than our lives? Nothing. Well why not believe there is a place after death where we can live happily ever after? Sounds good to me. But who made this place, ah yes, a god or goddess. Or maybe we just reincarnate. We just become new people! Now the earth is god/goddess. I could probably right some ridiculous story about some gods and goddesses and have it stand up to scrutiny as well as these tribesmen could do, but they can do it nonetheless.

Now, we are speaking from a scriptural aspect here. Is Jesus the only way? According to scripture: yes and no. Which is it?

System your question has been answered time and time again. We go by scripture. If your looking for another answer you in the wrong place. The answer is YES JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY TO GOD AND HEAVEN. PERIOD. ACCEPT OR NOT IT'S UP TO YOU.

[systemstrike_7]

System your question has been answered time and time again. We go by scripture. If your looking for another answer you in the wrong place. The answer is YES JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY TO GOD AND HEAVEN. PERIOD. ACCEPT OR NOT IT'S UP TO YOU.

Ok, well let me get this straight then. Jesus is the one and only way to God, so therefore, the tribesmen are screwed? Or are you still standing by the fact that Jesus will appear miraculously? It might just be me, but I cannot gather a complete answer out of these posts, and it seems some of ya'll have different views(which is much encouraged, brings about more answers).

I'm trying to look at these two passages together. One says Jesus is the One and Only way. One says those who have never heard Jesus' name are judged by a different standard, a standard in the heart(or something to that extent). Does that mean God gives us two ways to get to heaven? Depending on our situation? Or is everyone held under the same light?

[Joshua-777]

System your question has been answered time and time again. We go by scripture. If your looking for another answer you in the wrong place. The answer is YES JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY TO GOD AND HEAVEN. PERIOD. ACCEPT OR NOT IT'S UP TO YOU.

Ok, well let me get this straight then. Jesus is the one and only way to God, so therefore, the tribesmen are screwed? Or are you still standing by the fact that Jesus will appear miraculously? It might just be me, but I cannot gather a complete answer out of these posts, and it seems some of ya'll have different views(which is much encouraged, brings about more answers).

I'm trying to look at these two passages together. One says Jesus is the One and Only way. One says those who have never heard Jesus' name are judged by a different standard, a standard in the heart(or something to that extent). Does that mean God gives us two ways to get to heaven? Depending on our situation? Or is everyone held under the same light?

I believe that means that they will have a chance to accept Jesus, I've noticed this topic come up alot, in christian, and aithiest discussions, heres the answer. Jesus said he is the Only way, so the only way is through Jesus, there is no other way to salvation. As you said, those tribesman are pretty much out of luck? well I'll continue the trend by answering by another question, are you willing to witness to them? Your familiar with paul, paul traveled all around and partook in the first missions, spreading the gosple to tribes, people, everyone. So thus is the importance of spreading the good news. So it all comes down to, have they heard? well mabie someone should witness, and tell them. What I find awesome is missionary trips to affrica, people are being healed, even raised from the dead, which is powerful, and most missiontrips are to tribes, and these "people who've never heard of Jesus." Hey, I am inspired to become a missionary for that purpose, because I strongly Believe Jesus is truth, and he is the only way. I believe that because he said that, and to know him personally someone has to accept that he is God.

[systemstrike_7]

System your question has been answered time and time again. We go by scripture. If your looking for another answer you in the wrong place. The answer is YES JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY TO GOD AND HEAVEN. PERIOD. ACCEPT OR NOT IT'S UP TO YOU.

Ok, well let me get this straight then. Jesus is the one and only way to God, so therefore, the tribesmen are screwed? Or are you still standing by the fact that Jesus will appear miraculously? It might just be me, but I cannot gather a complete answer out of these posts, and it seems some of ya'll have different views(which is much encouraged, brings about more answers).

I'm trying to look at these two passages together. One says Jesus is the One and Only way. One says those who have never heard Jesus' name are judged by a different standard, a standard in the heart(or something to that extent). Does that mean God gives us two ways to get to heaven? Depending on our situation? Or is everyone held under the same light?

I believe that means that they will have a chance to accept Jesus, I've noticed this topic come up alot, in christian, and aithiest discussions, heres the answer. Jesus said he is the Only way, so the only way is through Jesus, there is no other way to salvation. As you said, those tribesman are pretty much out of luck? well I'll continue the trend by answering by another question, are you willing to witness to them? Your familiar with paul, paul traveled all around and partook in the first missions, spreading the gosple to tribes, people, everyone. So thus is the importance of spreading the good news. So it all comes down to, have they heard? well mabie someone should witness, and tell them. What I find awesome is missionary trips to affrica, people are being healed, even raised from the dead, which is powerful, and most missiontrips are to tribes, and these "people who've never heard of Jesus." Hey, I am inspired to become a missionary for that purpose, because I strongly Believe Jesus is truth, and he is the only way. I believe that because he said that, and to know him personally someone has to accept that he is God.

Yes, yes I also believe missionary work is very honorable, but this is missing the point. What if they die before a missionary tells them about Jesus? And don't forget about the passage in Romans. This gives a good explanation of how God deals with these "tribesmen", but that still brings up the issue if Jesus really is the Only way.

[billie]

He's the only way for you because you've heard the Gospel.

[systemstrike_7]

Yes I know this and completely accept that. I'm just curious as to what this means. This is all very interesting and would love to keep discussing it.

Let me point something out first:

I believe Jesus is the only way for me and others who have heard the Good News. I don't know what to think about the "tribesmen", and am very interested in furthur discussing this. I am not trying to derail Christianity, I'm only trying to understand the scripture better.

[systemstrike_7]

So would anyone like to reconcile these two passages?

[RustyAngeL]

all I gotta say is, more reason to spread the Gospel of peace, so all can hear the good News of Jesus Christ, he is the only way, the truth and the life. Ya know I don't think the apostles did missionary trips spreading the Good word in vain, I think we as Christians should be doing the same, and Jesus will be revealed to all, and all will have a chance to accept him. I believe that is true/

So true Josh and very well said.

[RustyAngeL]

System your question has been answered time and time again. We go by scripture. If your looking for another answer you in the wrong place. The answer is YES JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY TO GOD AND HEAVEN. PERIOD. ACCEPT OR NOT IT'S UP TO YOU.

Ok, well let me get this straight then. Jesus is the one and only way to God, so therefore, the tribesmen are screwed? Or are you still standing by the fact that Jesus will appear miraculously? It might just be me, but I cannot gather a complete answer out of these posts, and it seems some of ya'll have different views(which is much encouraged, brings about more answers).

I'm trying to look at these two passages together. One says Jesus is the One and Only way. One says those who have never heard Jesus' name are judged by a different standard, a standard in the heart(or something to that extent). Does that mean God gives us two ways to get to heaven? Depending on our situation? Or is everyone held under the same light?

Did you read my response to that question with Romans 1:20 or are you going to ingore that too. Go back to my response with the scripture. I'm not going to type it out again. My patience is running thin with you.

[systemstrike_7]

Did you read my response to that question with Romans 1:20 or are you going to ingore that too. Go back to my response with the scripture. I'm not going to type it out again. My patience is running thin with you.

I read it, and if I skipped over some other answer please forgive me.

With that said, are you saying that Jesus is not the only way? Maybe I don't quite understand this passage. If God reveals himself through nature, and they find God through nature, does that give them a chance to salvation through something(e.g. nature) other than Christ?

As we have seen in many ancient cultures such as the native americans and early mexican cultures such as the aztecs, these tribes look at nature and come up with a god for just about every tree and creek. They make sun gods and earth goddesses and many other gods. They don't know any better!! They have never had the Word given to them!! I hear that God's word is so important and that we can only understand God through the bible, but they don't have a bible! They will most likely come up with their own theology. Now, Paul also states that concerning those without the law, God will weigh their hearts and judge them accordingly. At least this is how I interpreted the passage.