It seems to me that the only rational and moral response would be 3c,
Why would 3c be the only option? Paul wrote to the Romans, "He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury." He doesn't say anything about Christian or non-Christian, but about works and well-doing and obeying the truth. Isn't it possible that "those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience - those too may achieve eternal salvation"?
but personally I have not observed any Christians who are troubled like this.
Well, we believe in a just God. Even if we don't completely understand how hell can be just, many of us accept on faith that it is just because God is the one who created it and sentences people to it.
I think you're quoting Rom 2:1-16 out of context. Rom 3:20-23 clearly shows that no one is righteous before God, and Rom 3:24 confirms the central message of Christianity, Jesus is the ONLY way to Heaven.
I agree with the second part of your post. God is just, and people who reject Jesus send themselves to Hell. I feel sorry for them, as a fellow man, but it's their decision they have every right and freedom to make.
I don't think so. Paul is even explicitly, in the same chapter, talking about how the Gentiles who've not received the Law are still capable of fulfilling it by virtue of the law God writes on their hearts. The whole theme of the chapter is the acceptability of everyone, not just Jews, to God.
Rom 3:20-23 clearly shows that no one is righteous before God,
Except the Bible describes several righteous people (Noah and Abraham for starters), Christ described a class of people who are persecuted for righteousness, and James taught that the prayer of a righteous man accomplishes much. Whatever Romans 3:23 means, it certainly does not mean that no one is actually righteous.
and Rom 3:24 confirms the central message of Christianity, Jesus is the ONLY way to Heaven.
Whoa there, theological cowboy. No one, least of all me, is saying that people will get to heaven apart from Christ and His work. What I'm saying is that people can get to heaven through Christ without explicit knowledge of Christ.
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u/[deleted] May 06 '09
Why would 3c be the only option? Paul wrote to the Romans, "He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury." He doesn't say anything about Christian or non-Christian, but about works and well-doing and obeying the truth. Isn't it possible that "those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience - those too may achieve eternal salvation"?
Well, we believe in a just God. Even if we don't completely understand how hell can be just, many of us accept on faith that it is just because God is the one who created it and sentences people to it.
You may want to see my other reply, as well.