Those who never heard of Christ

[Shtove]

Would it be fair to say that even those who have never heard the Gospel are still called to act in an objectively moral way to the best of their knowledge? Like say a man deep down knows murder is wrong is called to not commit murder?

 

[Zaccheus]

It would be both fair and true. In fact that’s the path to salvation for those who have not heard the Gospel. The Catholic Church terms this the Baptism of Desire.

 

[Chickadee]

In Mere Christianity, CS Lewis uses this inclination toward moral behavior as a way to prove the existence of God. It’s a good read.

 

[redcatholic]

That’s fair to say. But I must say. In real life I’ve never met anyone who has never heard of Christ. I’ve met people who have wrong ideas about Him though.

 

[Genesis315]

Would it be fair to say that even those who have never heard the Gospel are still called to act in an objectively moral way to the best of their knowledge? Like say a man deep down knows murder is wrong is called to not commit murder?

Yes. As the Catechism puts it, “But no one is deemed to be ignorant of the principles of the moral law, which are written in the conscience of every man.” (CCC 1860)

In fact, it is often through the following of an upright conscience with the help of grace that puts one on the road to the faith necessary for salvation.

Pope Francis, Lumen Fidei

Because faith is a way, it also has to do with the lives of those men and women who, though not believers, nonetheless desire to believe and continue to seek. To the extent that they are sincerely open to love and set out with whatever light they can find, they are already, even without knowing it, on the path leading to faith…Anyone who sets off on the path of doing good to others is already drawing near to God, is already sustained by his help, for it is characteristic of the divine light to brighten our eyes whenever we walk towards the fullness of love.

 

[Sarcelle]

How about those individuals who have been sold into slavery as children and have known nothing else but brutality and cruelty?

How can they make a choice if they have known nothing else but evil?

I struggle with this.

 

[Zaccheus]

In Mere Christianity, CS Lewis uses this inclination toward moral behavior as a way to prove the existence of God. It’s a good read.

All of Lewis’s workss ]are good reads.

How about those individuals who have been sold into slavery as children and have known nothing else but brutality and cruelty?

How can they make a choice if they have known nothing else but evil?

I struggle with this.

God knows how hard it is for them. He judges with great mercy.