Our Search for Truth

We visited a friend’s church this Sunday. One of the things the pastor said that was intriguing to me was that he did not know what would happen to people who had not heard of Jesus or were born in a part of the world where Christianity was not taught.

The Bible teaches that there is only one way to heaven and that is through Jesus. So where does that leave those who have not heard or had opportunity to choose Christ? Are they all to be sent to hell (See posts on hell), or will it be as if they never existed as I have heard some suggest? Am I to be so much more favored by God simply because I was born in a country where Christianity is freely taught? Does God love me more because of where I was born? The answer is simply – yes – just kidding.

I happen to believe that there will be many people in heaven who have never knowingly served Christ or even perhaps heard his name. As Jesus said, “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.”  John 10:16 (King James Version)

Don’t get me wrong I believe there is only one way to heaven. I do not believe that all paths lead to the same place, but I think someone can be on a path and not know the name of it and still end up in the same place. I used to live in St. Petersburg, FL and work in Tampa, FL. Every day I had to cross a bridge to get across the bay. There was only one bridge that could get me where I was going. For the longest time I had the wrong name of the bridge in my head. Amazingly despite me calling it the wrong name, I was able to get to Tampa and back home to St. Petersburg every day. Similarly, Jesus is the bridge between the place He is preparing for us and this world. He is the bridge to the Father. It just doesn’t matter whether or not you have had the opportunity to learn the name of the bridge.

James put it this way:

Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. James 4:17 (KJV) In other words we are only accountable for the things that God has revealed to us.  If you don’t know, it’s not sin. But there is something that all of us are accountable for. As Romans 1 points out God has revealed himself in one way or another to everyone: They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. (Rom 1:19-20 NLT) So how we respond to what is revealed to us is the map to getting us on the right bridge.

I love the way C.S. Lewis describes this concept in the last book of the Chronicles of Narnia. The Old Narnia has passed away and there is a new world. As you probably know Aslan is the Christ figure in the books and Tash represent the ruler of Evil. In this new world there is follower of Tash, Emeth, who is surprised by where he and who is welcoming him. Here is his description:

“’Then I fell at his feet and thought surely this is the hour of death, for the Lion (who is worthy of all honour) will know that I have served Tash all my days and not him . . . But the Glorious One bent down his golden head and touched my forehead with his tongue and said, ‘Son, thou art welcome.’ But I said, ‘Alas Lord, I am no son of thine, but the servant of Tash.’ He answered, ‘Child, all the service thou hast done to Tash, I account as service done to me.’ Then by reason of my great desire for wisdom and understanding, I overcame my fear and questioned the Glorious One and said, ‘Lord, is it then true, as the Ape said, that thou and Tash are one?’ The Lion growled so that the earth shook (but the wrath was not against me) and said, ‘It is false. Not because he and I are one, but because we are opposites – I take to me the services which thou hast done to him. For I and he are of such different kinds that no service which is vile can be done to me, and none which is not vile can be done to him. Therefore, if any man swear by Tash and keep his oath for the oath’s sake, it is by me that he has truly sworn. Though he knew it not, and it is I who reward him. And if any man do cruelty in my name, then, though he says the name Aslan, it is Tash whom he serves and by Tash his deed is accepted. Does thou understand child?’ I said, ‘Lord, thou knowest how much I understand.’ But I said also (for the truth constrained me), “Yet I have been seeking Tash all my days.’ ‘Beloved’, said the Glorious One, ‘unless thy desire had been for me thou wouldst not have sought so long and so truly. For all find what they truly seek.’ “– C.S. Lewis The Last Battle (The Chronicles of Narnia)

I agree that ultimately all will find what they truly sought.