April 8, 2011

A Huge Theological Issue

Masaccio, St. Paul, Museo di S. Matteo, Pisa 
I’ve been very busy these days, that’s why I haven't blogged lately. It’s really too bad because I had a lot of stuff to talk about. However, the below is my first attempt at trying to make up for the delay.

Steven, at the Metaphysical Peregrine, puts forward a classic theological issue (even though in a very personal context): What about those who have never heard of Christ? Are they condemned to Hell? Well, if I may express my humble opinion on such a huge and controversial matter, I think that Hell may not be the penalty for ignorance; it is the penalty for sin. Furthermore, no one is really ignorant:

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse (Rom 1:20).

In reality, there are several ways God reveals Himself in this world, and no one can hide behind the claim of ignorance, because the law is written on every heart (Rom 2:1,3). Therefore, to put it the way Steven did in his post, what about us believers? I’d say that it’s our responsibility to take the light of Christ to those who have no excuse.