John recorded a teaching of Jesus that I think helps answer this question. "It is written in the prophets, 'and they shall all be taught by God.' Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me" (John 6:45).
This tells me that God, who is not willing that anyone should perish, has taken it on Himself to teach everyone in one way or another. As you wrote, one way we learn about the Creator is through the creation itself. Ultimately, in Christ "the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men" (Titus 2:11). This all affirms what Jesus says, that no one reaches God apart from Jesus, and no one comes to Jesus apart from the Father. God has ways of reaching even those we think are unreachable.
Mar 19, 2023·edited Mar 19, 2023Liked by Jim Richardson
Thanks for taking on one of the toughest questions in Christianity. God is the One who judges all things, even the innocence of those who have never heard the Gospel of Jesus. However, spreading the Gospel is the motivation of missionaries from day one. One indigenous man attended one of my conferences. His bible was worn and then confessed at break time he didn't know how to read. I asked why does his Bible look so worn. He said it was because he carries it everywhere he goes. He went on to tell me he became born-again after realizing the tribal "Jesus" his people believed is not the real Jesus. Then it happened. He had a vision from Jesus, received the authentic Holy Spirit, and went on to evangelize his people. This is a common story with Muslims and other remote tribes who are forbidden to own a Bible, let alone be able to read one.
John recorded a teaching of Jesus that I think helps answer this question. "It is written in the prophets, 'and they shall all be taught by God.' Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me" (John 6:45).
This tells me that God, who is not willing that anyone should perish, has taken it on Himself to teach everyone in one way or another. As you wrote, one way we learn about the Creator is through the creation itself. Ultimately, in Christ "the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men" (Titus 2:11). This all affirms what Jesus says, that no one reaches God apart from Jesus, and no one comes to Jesus apart from the Father. God has ways of reaching even those we think are unreachable.
Thanks for taking on one of the toughest questions in Christianity. God is the One who judges all things, even the innocence of those who have never heard the Gospel of Jesus. However, spreading the Gospel is the motivation of missionaries from day one. One indigenous man attended one of my conferences. His bible was worn and then confessed at break time he didn't know how to read. I asked why does his Bible look so worn. He said it was because he carries it everywhere he goes. He went on to tell me he became born-again after realizing the tribal "Jesus" his people believed is not the real Jesus. Then it happened. He had a vision from Jesus, received the authentic Holy Spirit, and went on to evangelize his people. This is a common story with Muslims and other remote tribes who are forbidden to own a Bible, let alone be able to read one.
Excellent article, brother Jim!