by BryanN

Created on: February 17, 2007   Last Updated: May 11, 2007

Non Christians' Chance in Heaven

This topic should avoid assertions of personal point of view and instead look at the multitude of views that prevail on this subject amongst believing Christians. Of course if you are a non-Christian but believe in a heaven you will believe non-Christian can go to heaven. If you didn't believe this then by definition you'd be a Christian, would you not? If you hold this view, you have nothing else to discuss on this topic. Simply agree to disagree and move on. I believe the real question posed by this topic is "could a Bible believing Christian believe that non-Christians may also enter into heaven?"

The Majority Orthodox View

The majority view amongst modern Christians is that non-Christians will not go to heaven but instead will go to hell for eternity. This view usually perceives hell as a pit of fire and brimstone where non-believers burn forever. My personal feelings aside, I feel I must admit that this point of view is a legitimate interpretation of the Bible. Admittedly, nowhere in the Bible does it say "those that do not believe in Jesus will go to hell for eternity." This majority view is deduced from several Bible passages.

Majority View Step 1 Salvation is Only Through Jesus

Acts 4:12 says about Jesus - Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Clearly, the Bible teaches that there is no salvation outside of Jesus Christ. So if a person believes the Bible to be the word of God then they will believe this.

Majority View Step 2 Only Two Choices, Heaven and Hell

The traditional Christian view is that there is only a Heaven and a Hell and a person receives one or the other. Though not specifically stated in the Bible, this is often inferred from several relevant scriptures, such as the combination of Mark 16:16 and Matt 23:23. The first says those who hear the missionary message are either saved or damned. The second equates damnation with going to hell. John 5:29 also speaks of resurrection using polarized words: life and damnation.

Majority View Step 3 Final Judgment Happens at Death

The traditional Christian view perceives death as the point of final judgment on assignment to heaven or hell. This is based on a first impression reading of Heb 9:27, which tells us that judgment happens after a person dies. Most Christians read this verse

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