Could a pre-columbian Indian be saved?

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Consider a native American living before Columbus discovered America. Of course she never heard of Christianity or the Jewish Law. Is she fated to go to Hell? Or can she be saved if she obeyed the law without knowing it?

-- Stephen (StephenLynn999@msn.com), August 04, 2003

Answers

They have not personally rejected Christ; The Law is written in the subconscious so my view is that they will be judge if they were a "good" person.

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), August 04, 2003.

Also, their culture came from the Tower of Babal, Perhaps they carried the concept of God into N. America and did keep the Law. They also did animal sacrifices.

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), August 04, 2003.

Sounds reasonable. Is there any guidance from scripture re this question?

-- Stephen (StephenLynn999@msn.com), August 04, 2003.

Yes, Romans, Chapter 2: 14-16 For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness, and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.

And then of course Jesus's famous words, the two golden commandments: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself."

Gail

-- Gail (rothfarms@socket.net), August 04, 2003.


There is NOT one person who has lived since the death of Christ who will be saved who has NOT obeyed the gospel.

Gail,

Please tell everyone here how the Gentiles are to show the work of the Law in their hearts if they have no knowledge of the Law?

-- Kevin Walker (kevinlwalker572@cs.com), August 04, 2003.



For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness, and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.

-- Gail (rothfarms@socket.net), August 04, 2003.

Gail,

Once again, I will ask you HOW do the Gentiles have "their conscience bearing witness, and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them" when they have NOTHING to base this on NOT having heard the Law??? You didn't answer the question.

-- Kevin Walker (kevinlwalker572@cs.com), August 04, 2003.


Kevin, the bible clearly says we have the Law written in our hearts.

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), August 07, 2003.

What law is that David???

-- Kevin Walker (kevinlwalker572@cs.com), August 07, 2003.

We are told in scripture that in the first century the Gospel "was preached to every creature which is under heaven" Col.1:23 fulfilling Christ's command in Mark 16 "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."

If people do not hear the Gospel it is OUR fault. It has been far easier since the time of the Apostle Paul to travel land and sea (indeed we know even the Pharisees did this-Matt.23:15)to bring the Good News to the lost. "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!....So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world....But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me." Romans 10:13,14,15,17,18,20

However, at our failing, I do believe God is ever just and merciful and that light will always come to those who seek it. Yet may it be that we have no blood upon our hands "When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand." (Ezk.33:8) but rather that with Paul we can say "Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men." (Acts 20:26)

-- Gillian Dickenson (Gilliantwin@msn.com), February 05, 2004.



I believe they could be saved.

God Yahweh did no send Jesus to America (sorry to contrdict any Mormons out there), but he sent people to guide.

One of them was Ce Acatl Topiltzin Quetzalcoatl. He lived around 1000-1100 AD in what is now Tula, Hidalgo, Mexico.

He told the people to offer other things instead of human sacrifices. His enemies forced him out.

When the Spaniards arrived in 1519 , a Ce Acatl year, they thought Hernan Cortez was Quetzalcoatl.

India rceived Buddha. China Lao Tze and Confucius.

So Yahweh our God has not left the world an orphan.

-- Elpidio Gonzalez (egonval@yahoo.com), February 05, 2004.


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