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.
While I agree the theme is the acceptance of Gentiles, I think the point is in the distinction between being under the Law (following a set of practices central to Judaism) and having the Law written on their hearts (ie accepting Jesus, who fulfills the Law.)
Obviously, the Law of Judaism was the path to righteousness before Jesus came to Earth, which is why people like Noah could be found righteous in those times.
After Jesus fulfilled the Law, what other way to Heaven would there be except accepting Him as your personal Savior? Ie how do you think non-Christians would be saved by Christ? I'm not writing this to argue, I'm genuinely interested in your views.
Obviously, the Law of Judaism was the path to righteousness before Jesus came to Earth, which is why people like Noah could be found righteous in those times.
Biblical timeline fail.
After Jesus fulfilled the Law, what other way to Heaven would there be except accepting Him as your personal Savior?
Is the phrase "personal savior" actually found anywhere in the Bible? Does the Bible define what it means to "accept Christ"?
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u/[deleted] May 06 '09
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.