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Dear Dr. Betters,
Although I'm in agreement with most of what I've heard you preach thus far, I'm having trouble reconciling a portion of Sunday's sermon, and would like clarification. About halfway through yesterday's sermon (and forgive me if I'm missing something in the translation), you spoke about a hateful letter that you received where the writer said that you were narrow and archaic in your belief that we must accept Jesus as our Lord and savior (among other things) to go to heaven, and that you didn't take other religions beliefs into consideration, etc. Part of your defense was that other religions each have a set of specific beliefs, and although the other religions are aware of what Christians believe, they reject it because they believe that their faith is the true faith. And since everyone cannot be correct, someone must be wrong. I think that I'm having difficulty with the premise. I don't believe that every Hindu, Muslim, Jew, Buddhist, and so on residing in 3rd World countries, and without ready access to books, television or the Internet DO know about the tenets of the Christian faith. I know that's the case a few decades ago, prior to the invention of radio and television. So should a man who is ignorant of Christianity, but who by all other means leads what we would consider a Christian life be denied entrance into Heaven?

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Arthur

Pastor Betters responds:

Dear Arthur,
That is such a great question and I am happy to try to answer it for you. In fact, this very question is addressed in Romans 1 where Paul speaks of what theologians call "General Revelation." That is, men are given creation to point them to the Creator, to show them there is a God to whom they must submit. But instead of worshipping the Creator they make gods out of the creation. So many of these cults worship nature, the sun, the moon, the stars, the trees, instead of the One who made them. The point of Romans 1 is that they are "without excuse" in their rejection of the Creator. And if they were to see His creation and seek the Creator He will reveal Himself to them. The Lord promises to reveal Himself to all who earnestly seek Him. Keep in mind the hidden peoples of the earth are very religious. I have seen this first hand. Animism is prevalent among these people. They choose to worship nature knowing there is a God Who created it. This Paul says they are without excuse. Take a moment and read all of Romans 1. It is quite revealing. I hope this helps.

In His Grip,
Dr. Chuck Betters

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