Can we expect God to forgive unbelievers who don't know what they are doing?
| posted 5/13/2009
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In the wake of the Cross, however, the world can know more of God's perfect plan. The apostle Paul declares that "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Rom. 10:17). The actual hearing and receiving of the gospel engenders a committed faith, and this leads to a positive response to God's offer of salvation.
Rather than speculate as to whether any who have never heard the gospel can actually be saved, we should let our love for others, even our own opponents, become added motivation to respond to the urgent demand of our Lord—that his disciples would go into all the world and proclaim the Good News.
Yes, God offers grace and forgiveness to those who "do not know what they are doing." (We were all in that position at one time.) But, ultimately, we must all come to a recognition of that offer and then, by faith, put our trust in the work and person of humanity's Savior, Jesus Christ.
Richard Besancon is professor emeritus of philosophy at Judson College in Elgin, Illinois.
