Response to Krystal (Notes)

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(OLD) Response to Krystal

This a response to the following video:

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Main Question: “Do u believe good people of other religions will go to heaven?”

What is a good person?

I define who is good and bad in a completely different than what society usually says. So really, from my point of view no one is really “good” because of the fall of humanity—that every part of human nature is affected by sin. I base that off my understanding of topic of

Total Depravity⁠

from John Calvin. With that said, Jesus was the only exception. He is what we should define as “good”—so people who's life imitates Jesus and has a genuine heart for him are who I would define as good people. BUT!!! None of us can ever BE good on our own. It’s only ever through

grace⁠

, that we may be

sanctified⁠

What is heaven?

Very interesting topic when you try to learn about it for yourself. I see it as heaven as the ultimate, eternal dwelling place of God and the final destination for those who are saved through Jesus Christ. A place where everything is perfect, and there is no sin or “evil”.

How do you get get to heaven? By being good?

This is where a lot of disagreements come in to play. And this is a very important question really is the basis for many different religions. I believe, since no one is good (Total Depravity), that is not what gets you to heaven. And in fact the only way you get to heaven is through Jesus Christ. I think you need these 3 things:

John 3:16 (NIV): “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This verse underscores the necessity of believing in Jesus for eternal life.

John 14:6 (NIV): “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” This verse highlights that Jesus is the exclusive path to God and eternal life.

Matthew 7:21 (NIV): “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” Here, Jesus emphasizes that entry into heaven is not merely about professing faith but living according to God's will.

What other religions?

Although he doesn't say in the video, this guy is a self proclaimed Christian. So we assume hes answering the main question from: All other religions other than Christianity.

What is Christianity?

Christianity’s beliefs do vary (Thousands of different denominations worldwide). But generally defined by some

Central Doctrines⁠

or better yet, something we say in church sometimes—the

Nicene Creed⁠

Answer to Main Question: Do you believe good people of other religions will go to heaven?

It would be much better to ask the following question:

Can people who do not have faith in Jesus Christ, who do not receive God’s grace, and have no evidence of faith through works get to heaven?

And that answer would be simply, no.

Next Section:

TO BREAKDOWN⁠

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Total Depravity: Human nature is completely tainted by sin, affecting every part of our being and rendering us incapable of choosing or seeking God on our own.

Grace: God’s unearned and unmerited favor through which He saves and empowers believers, making it possible for them to have faith and be transformed.

Sanctification: The ongoing process by which believers, through the work of the Holy Spirit, are progressively made holy and conformed to the image of Christ.

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Central Doctrines of Christianity:

The Trinity: Christianity teaches that God exists as three persons in one essence—God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit. This doctrine emphasizes that each person is fully God, yet there is only one God.

The Divinity of Christ: Jesus Christ is believed to be both fully God and fully human. His divine nature is essential for understanding His role as the Savior and the means through which God’s redemption is accomplished.

The Atonement: This doctrine holds that Jesus’ death on the cross was a sacrifice that paid the penalty for humanity’s sins. His resurrection from the dead confirms the effectiveness of this atonement and offers believers the hope of eternal life.

Salvation by Grace through Faith: Christians believe that salvation is a gift from God, given by grace and received through faith in Jesus Christ. It is not earned by human effort or good works but granted through trusting in Christ’s redemptive work.

The Authority of Scripture: The Bible, consisting of the Old and New Testaments, is considered the authoritative word of God. It is used for teaching, guiding faith, and establishing doctrine.

The Resurrection of Jesus: The belief in Jesus’ resurrection is fundamental, as it demonstrates His victory over sin and death, affirming the promise of eternal life for those who are united with Him.

The Second Coming of Christ: Christians hold that Jesus will return at the end of time to judge the living and the dead and to establish God’s final kingdom.

The Church: The Church is viewed as the body of Christ on earth, a community of believers called to worship, teach, and spread the message of Jesus. It is also where believers grow in their faith and practice the sacraments.

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Nicene Creed:

We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made.

Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.

And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life, who proceeds from the Father [and the Son]; who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets.

And we believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

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Breaking Down his Answer

“Do u believe good people of other religions will go to heaven?”—He say’s “Yes” and uses the verse

Romans 2:14-16⁠

as his reasoning. In Romans 2:14-16, the author Paul tells us that it is not the knowledge of the law that pleases God, but the obedience of the law. This passage explains that no one can achieve

justification⁠

before God based on their own righteousness (“all our righteous acts are like filthy rags” Isaiah 64:6), as all people fall short of God’s perfect standards. However, the fact that everyone has a sense of moral obligation and conscience shows a universal awareness of God's moral law and accountability to Him, even if they don’t explicitly know His law. —This shows that even people who have never heard of God’s law, are NOT free from accountability. See Romans 1:20 “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.” So even if an uncontacted Tribe had never heard of Jesus, they are still accountable for their sins. Here is a note in my reformation study Bible:

Since God judges people in accordance with standards known to them, a defense based on ignorance of the Mosaic law is irrelevant and illegitimate. It is not the degree of revelation received, but response to the revelation itself, however received, that will prove critical on the day when God will judge (v. 16).

In Reformed theology, salvation comes only through faith in Jesus Christ, so those who have not heard of Him would not be saved by their response to

general revelation⁠

alone. However, they are still held accountable because general revelation (nature and conscience) provides enough knowledge of God’s existence and moral standards. While some Christian traditions might hold different views about the fate of those who haven't heard the gospel (The guy in this video), Reformed theology emphasizes that salvation is granted solely through faith in Christ, not merely through moral knowledge or general revelation.

And we know that God’s Justice is fair:

God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. 2 Thessalonians 1:6

God 'will repay each person according to what they have done.' To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, he will give eternal life. Romans 2:6-7

Reformed theology maintains that God's judgment is just and fair, even for those who have never heard of Christ, as all people have a basic knowledge of God’s existence and moral law (through general revelation).

—All this to say that I do not agree with the answer he provides. There is more I could say about his explanation, but I’ll save that for any additional discourse, if warranted.

——END——

Romans 2:14:16

14For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them 16on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.

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Justification is God’s act of declaring a person righteous by faith in Jesus Christ, based on His grace, not on their own works.

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Revelation: The way God reveals Himself and His will to humanity. It can occur through general revelation (nature and conscience) or special revelation (scripture and Jesus Christ), providing knowledge of God and salvation.

Kinds of Revelation:

General Revelation is God’s disclosure of Himself to all people through nature, history, and human conscience

Special Revelation is God’s direct communication of His will and truth through scripture, prophets, and most fully in Jesus Christ.

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