can non christians go to heaven

[StevenFrancis]

Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the light. It is through the life, passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ that man is given the grace of eternal life in the presence of God (Heaven) at all. So the ‘ordinary means’ to entering into eternal life with God, and not into eternal life separated from God (hell), would be to accept the graces bestowed by God the Father through the Son, by the power of the Holy Spirit. This belief is Christianity. It is the system which God set up on earth for men to spend eternity in his light.

God would desire that all his creations choose the way of Christ. God also loves us so much that He respects our wishes to not be with Him for eternity. Once the conscience is formed and Catechized, one must make an actual choice.

There is invincible ignorance, wherein a person has not been exposed, or known about God’s grace, or His incarnation. This is increasingly rare.

A westerner who is able to ask this question, of course, has been exposed to the idea of Christianity to the point of knowing who Christ was, and what Christianity is to some extend, or they would not be able to form this question. So both it’s asking and it’s answering are tricky. Even the westerner asking a question such as this may only know the name of Jesus, and be aware of His followers, but know virtually nothing of the theology of philosophy of Christianity, nor been graced at this point in their journey with a level of faith adequate to draw them into participation in the mystery of faith. There are other persons still, who have been culturally denied the free expression of Christ to His people, because of being raised into a non-Christian family tradition, with non-Christian values and ideas. This is the most problematic,

The Apostles were tasked by Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit to spread the good news to the ends of the earth. That task is being continued to this day in the form of the Bishops, who are the descendants of the apostles through apostolic succession. There is some presence of the Church in nearly every country on earth, whether blessedly obvious, or via an underground network. Those hungry for life eternal with our Lord can find Him.

This desire is carried in one’s heart and conscience. If a person were to die, who did not openly reject Christ, and who is earnestly seeking God with all their heart, though they may not even understand what it is they are seeking, or have an incorrect understanding of what or who God is or may be. If these persons obey their conscience, and are on a spiritual journey, then we must give credit to God our creator for knowing the hearts of his creations, and knowing the appropriate eternal life situation for that person. It is not for us men to debate and decide that.

According to the deposit of Christian faith, the ordinary means to “Heaven” is to believe on, and love the Christ. To be baptized into His mystical body, and (according to the Son Himself), to eat His flesh, and drink His blood, proclaiming His death, and professing His resurrection until He comes again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and establishes his eternal kingdom. This is our faith. This is the faith passed down to us by the Church fathers, which was passed on to them by the Apostles, which was passed on to them by Jesus bar Joseph of Nazareth, the Son of Man. the Son of God, the eternal paschal Lamb of God, the Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Light.

Merry Christmas to one and all,

Steven

 

[Bernadette173]

Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the light. It is through the life, passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ that man is given the grace of eternal life in the presence of God (Heaven) at all. So the ‘ordinary means’ to entering into eternal life with God, and not into eternal life separated from God (hell), would be to accept the graces bestowed by God the Father through the Son, by the power of the Holy Spirit. This belief is Christianity. It is the system which God set up on earth for men to spend eternity in his light.

God would desire that all his creations choose the way of Christ. God also loves us so much that He respects our wishes to not be with Him for eternity. Once the conscience is formed and Catechized, one must make an actual choice.

There is invincible ignorance, wherein a person has not been exposed, or known about God’s grace, or His incarnation. This is increasingly rare.

A westerner who is able to ask this question, of course, has been exposed to the idea of Christianity to the point of knowing who Christ was, and what Christianity is to some extend, or they would not be able to form this question. So both it’s asking and it’s answering are tricky. Even the westerner asking a question such as this may only know the name of Jesus, and be aware of His followers, but know virtually nothing of the theology of philosophy of Christianity, nor been graced at this point in their journey with a level of faith adequate to draw them into participation in the mystery of faith. There are other persons still, who have been culturally denied the free expression of Christ to His people, because of being raised into a non-Christian family tradition, with non-Christian values and ideas. This is the most problematic,

The Apostles were tasked by Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit to spread the good news to the ends of the earth. That task is being continued to this day in the form of the Bishops, who are the descendants of the apostles through apostolic succession. There is some presence of the Church in nearly every country on earth, whether blessedly obvious, or via an underground network. Those hungry for life eternal with our Lord can find Him.

This desire is carried in one’s heart and conscience. If a person were to die, who did not openly reject Christ, and who is earnestly seeking God with all their heart, though they may not even understand what it is they are seeking, or have an incorrect understanding of what or who God is or may be. If these persons obey their conscience, and are on a spiritual journey, then we must give credit to God our creator for knowing the hearts of his creations, and knowing the appropriate eternal life situation for that person. It is not for us men to debate and decide that.

According to the deposit of Christian faith, the ordinary means to “Heaven” is to believe on, and love the Christ. To be baptized into His mystical body, and (according to the Son Himself), to eat His flesh, and drink His blood, proclaiming His death, and professing His resurrection until He comes again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and establishes his eternal kingdom. This is our faith. This is the faith passed down to us by the Church fathers, which was passed on to them by the Apostles, which was passed on to them by Jesus bar Joseph of Nazareth, the Son of Man. the Son of God, the eternal paschal Lamb of God, the Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Light.

Merry Christmas to one and all,

Steven

I was taught this also in church in my youth. If conversion of souls is to take place, we are to explain the Gospels to those who do not know of them. And if they still refuse to believe in the Christ, the Son of Man and part of the trinity of God Himself, then they will either spend time in purgation or be separated from God for an eternity. And this is why we pray for conversions and try to evangelize.

Bernadette173

 

[runningdude]

The Bible says it isn’t possible. Look at the verses I put up on my earlier post. The Bible clearly tells us without believing and following Jesus you cannot get into heaven. We must accept Christ and his salvation. A non Christian is someone who does not follow Christ, so how will they accept Christ and follow him?

The Catechism of the Catholic Church:
scborromeo.org/ccc/p123a9p3.htm#841

 

[mokdam]

I am currently involved in a heated arguement with my brother in law who is adament that non christians who live a decent and moral life can go to heaven. My understandig is that Jesus said “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

While I appreciate that at the end of the day GOD can allow anyone He chooses into His Kingdom, the arguement I was having with my brother in law was purely an academic one. By taking the words that are literally written, one cannot but come to the conclusion that there is no salvation without Christ. The Catholic Church has interpreted the scriptures to state that salvation is possible for people who do not know Jesus (such as isolated peoples, handicapped etc…) which I fully agree with. However to say that someone who knows of Jesus (Muslims, Hindus, Budhists, athiests etc…) can go to Heaven based on good deeds is wrong according to the teachings of the Bible. Again I d not profess to know the mind of God and ultimately his decisions.
Thanks everyone for your posts…God Bless

 

[Trajik]

Alhamdulliah Mokdam,

I was once a Christian and a Catholic. My view is psalm 15 No denomination is named. I hope you are among the saved. I love Allah and I love the way Allah stated how to walk “Islam for me”

My very best to you…

Abdur Rahman “Anthony”

 

[DebChris]

Alhamdulliah Mokdam,

I was once a Christian and a Catholic. My view is psalm 15 No denomination is named. I hope you are among the saved. I love Allah and I love the way Allah stated how to walk “Islam for me”

My very best to you…

Abdur Rahman “Anthony”

“Islam” means “submission to God.” Each of us, regardless of our way of life, is called to submit that life to God.
Jesus said, “I am the vine and you are the grapes. Apart from me, you can do nothing.”
Christ not only left an example of how to live, He empowers us with the Holy Spirit, with His grace that we might live the life He has called us to live. Through my own actions, I do not have the power to please God. By submitting myself to God, by asking the Holy Spirit to come into my life, it is Christ himself who brings me to the Father.

 

[runningdude]

While I appreciate that at the end of the day GOD can allow anyone He chooses into His Kingdom, the arguement I was having with my brother in law was purely an academic one. By taking the words that are literally written, one cannot but come to the conclusion that there is no salvation without Christ. The Catholic Church has interpreted the scriptures to state that salvation is possible for people who do not know Jesus (such as isolated peoples, handicapped etc…) which I fully agree with. However to say that someone who knows of Jesus (Muslims, Hindus, Budhists, athiests etc…) can go to Heaven based on good deeds is wrong according to the teachings of the Bible. Again I d not profess to know the mind of God and ultimately his decisions.
Thanks everyone for your posts…God Bless

Again, the Catechism says otherwise:
scborromeo.org/ccc/p123a9p3.htm#841).

Mere knowledge of the existence of a guy named “Jesus” is and the existence of people who worship this guy is not considered truly knowing Jesus.

 

[12seekpeace]

While I appreciate that at the end of the day GOD can allow anyone He chooses into His Kingdom, the arguement I was having with my brother in law was purely an academic one. By taking the words that are literally written, one cannot but come to the conclusion that there is no salvation without Christ. The Catholic Church has interpreted the scriptures to state that salvation is possible for people who do not know Jesus (such as isolated peoples, handicapped etc…) which I fully agree with. However to say that someone who knows of Jesus (Muslims, Hindus, Budhists, athiests etc…) can go to Heaven based on good deeds is wrong according to the teachings of the Bible. Again I d not profess to know the mind of God and ultimately his decisions.
Thanks everyone for your posts…God Bless

Just wondering… isn’t this the fallacy of sola scriptura? Not everything that the church teaches is found word for word in the bible?

 

[Kristin234]

The Catechism of the Catholic Church:
scborromeo.org/ccc/p123a9p3.htm#841

Okay?

 

[Kristin234]

Again, the Catechism says otherwise:
scborromeo.org/ccc/p123a9p3.htm#841).

Mere knowledge of the existence of a guy named “Jesus” is and the existence of people who worship this guy is not considered truly knowing Jesus.

So what you are saying is those who know Jesus, follow him, worship him, and have truly given their life to him will not go to heaven because they are not Catholic, and that you cannot know him unless you are a part of the Church? Is that what you are saying?

 

[runningdude]

So what you are saying is those who know Jesus, follow him, worship him, and have truly given their life to him will not go to heaven because they are not Catholic, and that you cannot know him unless you are a part of the Church? Is that what you are saying?

No, what I’m saying is:

Who belongs to the Catholic Church?

836 "All men are called to this catholic unity of the People of God. . . . And to it, in different ways, belong or are ordered: the Catholic faithful, others who believe in Christ, and finally all mankind, called by God’s grace to salvation."320

837 "Fully incorporated into the society of the Church are those who, possessing the Spirit of Christ, accept all the means of salvation given to the Church together with her entire organization, and who - by the bonds constituted by the profession of faith, the sacraments, ecclesiastical government, and communion - are joined in the visible structure of the Church of Christ, who rules her through the Supreme Pontiff and the bishops. Even though incorporated into the Church, one who does not however persevere in charity is not saved. He remains indeed in the bosom of the Church, but ‘in body’ not ‘in heart.’"321

838 "The Church knows that she is** joined in many ways to the baptized** who are honored by the name of Christian, but do not profess the Catholic faith in its entirety or have not preserved unity or communion under the successor of Peter."322 Those "who believe in Christ and have been properly baptized are put in a certain, although imperfect, communion with the Catholic Church."323 With the Orthodox Churches, this communion is so profound "that it lacks little to attain the fullness that would permit a common celebration of the Lord’s Eucharist."324

scborromeo.org/ccc/p123a9p3.htm#836

 

[Anna_Scott]

The Bible says it isn’t possible. Look at the verses I put up on my earlier post. The Bible clearly tells us without believing and following Jesus you cannot get into heaven. We must accept Christ and his salvation. A non Christian is someone who does not follow Christ, so how will they accept Christ and follow him?. . .

Kristin234,

We must consider the entire Scripture, not just a few verses. Do you really know what happens at the hour of our death? Does Christ come to those who do not know him? We cannot comprehend the love and mercy of the Holy Trinity. Romans 11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

If you search the Scriptures, you will find the salvation of Israel.

Isaiah 45:
16 All of them are put to shame and confounded;
the makers of idols go in confusion together.
17 But Israel is saved by the LORD
with everlasting salvation;
you shall not be put to shame or confounded
to all eternity.

The New Testament also tells us about the salvation of the Jews:

Romans 11:

1 I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? 3 “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.” 4 But what is God’s reply to him? “I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” 5 So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. 6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.

7 What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened, 8 as it is written,

“God gave them a spirit of stupor,
eyes that would not see
and ears that would not hear,
down to this very day.”

9 And David says,

“Let their table become a snare and a trap,
a stumbling block and a retribution for them;
10 let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see,
and bend their backs forever.”

11 So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. 12 Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean!

13 Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry 14 in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them. 15 For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? 16 If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches.

17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, 18 do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. 19 Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. 22 Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. 23 And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree.
The Mystery of Israel’s Salvation

25 Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written,

“The Deliverer will come from Zion,
he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”;
27 “and this will be my covenant with them
when I take away their sins.”

28 As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. 29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30 For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, 31 so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy. 32 For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.

**33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
**
34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord,
or who has been his counselor?”
35 “Or who has given a gift to him
that he might be repaid?”

36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

Peace,
Anna

 

[Barbkw]

I am currently involved in a heated arguement with my brother in law who is adament that non christians who live a decent and moral life can go to heaven. My understandig is that Jesus said “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Of course, this is true. Jesus will be each person’s final judge. Whatever religion they practiced upon Earth.

A nonChristian won’t be judged by the god they believed in on Earth, because that god doesn’t exit in reality. Jesus will be their judge.

 

[CompSciGuy]

I was actually having this same argument with a friend last night. The Bible says without Jesus it is impossible to get into heaven. Plain and simple. I know we cannot judge who goes to heaven and hell, but the Bible clearly tells us that if you do not believe in Jesus you will not have eternal life. I find it very hard to sugarcoat that when it is clearly written.

John 3:36
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

John 3:3
Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

1 John 5:11-13
And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.

So do you believe that aborted babies and severely mentally handicapped people go straight to hell when they die, since they were never able to know or understand the gospel?

 

[15thClub]

After many years of having been engaged in or listened to debates like this, I have come to conclude IMHO that it’s a non-starter simply because none of us here have anything conclusive that we could “take to court.” There are many facts in scripture but I would argue not complete simply because God calls us to faith. We have enough facts that once we add the element of faith, we can have a new life with God through Christ. As Isaiah writes, “Gods ways and thoughts are higher than ours.” What will be waiting non-believers in the next life I do not factually know. But here’s my point. If anyone’s faith is just a mere “fire insurance policy” then we too are on shaky ground. Perhaps what we might place our priorities in is seeking the love of God and not the judgement of God as stated in Micah 6:8 and let God sort out the rest.

 

[Anna_Scott]

. . .But here’s my point. If anyone’s faith is just a mere “fire insurance policy” then we too are on shaky ground. Perhaps what we might place our priorities in is seeking the love of God and not the judgement of God as stated in Micah 6:8 and let God sort out the rest.

15thClub,

I think you are right; and this leads us to the Great Commandment found in Matthew:

Matthew 22:
36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

I grew up in Southern Baptist Churches, where the threat of Hell was always dangling above my head. The fear of Hell is not the right motive for coming to Christ.

I read a comment from a Jew in Israel who wrote about Christians trying to convert him to avoid Hell. He said he serves God because He is God. I think we, as Christians, can learn something from this wise Jewish man.

Peace,
Anna

 

[Carlan]

No, it is impossible for a non-Christian to go to heaven.

However, through an implicit baptism-by-desire, a non-believer on earth might become a Christian in Heaven!

I do not think it is impossible Runningdude. Not according to the CCC.
We have a merciful God who created his children to be loved.
The New Covenant is the only way and for those who, through no fault of their own, have not yet come to that understanding, there is the State of Purgatory where all come to full knowledge and purity. Peace, in the New Year to all, Carlan

 

[runningdude]

I do not think it is impossible Runningdude. Not according to the CCC.
We have a merciful God who created his children to be loved.
The New Covenant is the only way and for those who, through no fault of their own, have not yet come to that understanding, there is the State of Purgatory where all come to full knowledge and purity. Peace, in the New Year to all, Carlan

(pss… by definition everyone in Heaven is a Christian - there are no non-Christians in Heaven )

 

[Carlan]

(pss… by definition everyone in Heaven is a Christian - there are no non-Christians in Heaven )

Read on RD, 843 CCC,The Catholic Church recognizes in other religions that search , among shadows and images, for God who is unknown yet near since he gives life and breath and all things and wants all men to be saved.
Thus the Church considers all goodness and truth found in these religions as" a preparation for the Gospel and given by him who enlightens all men that they may at length have life."

And so if that enlightenment does not come in this life before they die, It will happen for them in the State of Purgatory, and the time it takes will depend on the condition of each soul at death.
What ever non Christian belief they may have of God, when he is thru purifying their beliefs they will believe in Christ as savior,the Truth. That is how I like to think the Lord does it. As I mentioned before all must be purified concerning the Truth before they can move on to heaven, and see the face of God. See the Beatitudes for that.Peace, Carlan

 

[runningdude]

Read on RD, 843 CCC,The Catholic Church recognizes in other religions that search , among shadows and images, for God who is unknown yet near since he gives life and breath and all things and wants all men to be saved.
Thus the Church considers all goodness and truth found in these religions as" a preparation for the Gospel and given by him who enlightens all men that they may at length have life."

And so if that enlightenment does not come in this life before they die, It will happen for them in the State of Purgatory, and the time it takes will depend on the condition of each soul at death.
What ever non Christian belief they may have of God, when he is thru purifying their beliefs they will believe in Christ as savior,the Truth. That is how I like to think the Lord does it. As I mentioned before all must be purified concerning the Truth before they can move on to heaven, and see the face of God. See the Beatitudes for that.Peace, Carlan

Someone needs their …

A non-Christian who honestly searches for the true can indeed be saved by Christ and go to Heaven. Having been saved by Christ, he or she is now a Christian in Heaven :extrahappy:.

Hence… there are NO non-Christians in heaven!