This debate is mainly for Christians, but those who can answer from a Christian perpective are also free to participate.
We learn from the bible that there is only one unpardonable sin - blasphemy against the Holy Ghost. How one defines blasphemy will have an impact on what this means. I believe that one cannot commit blasphemy unless one has knowledge/testimony of the Savior.
That being said, many people believe that someone who does not accept Christ as his or her Savior will be punished to an eternity in Hell (I don't believe in a literal, eternal hell, so I wouldn't put myself in that category). This includes those who have no knowledge of Christ or those who have a perverted belief in Christ.
The problem I have with this is that if there is only one unpardonable sin, and that sin requires a testimony of Christ, how can someone who doesn't believe in Christ or holds perverted beliefs in Christ be damned to Hell for eternity without the mercy of Christ kicking in and saving them first?
Is not accepting Christ as your Savior a sin? If it isn't a sin, why do some believe that the unbeliever will be punished to hell for eternity for something that is not a sin? If it is a sin, does eternal damnation satisfy the balance of justice and mercy that Christ enabled through his atonement?
My thoughts are kind of jumbled right now, so hopefully someone can sort this all out and make an intelligent response.
We learn from the bible that there is only one unpardonable sin - blasphemy against the Holy Ghost. How one defines blasphemy will have an impact on what this means. I believe that one cannot commit blasphemy unless one has knowledge/testimony of the Savior.
That being said, many people believe that someone who does not accept Christ as his or her Savior will be punished to an eternity in Hell (I don't believe in a literal, eternal hell, so I wouldn't put myself in that category). This includes those who have no knowledge of Christ or those who have a perverted belief in Christ.
The problem I have with this is that if there is only one unpardonable sin, and that sin requires a testimony of Christ, how can someone who doesn't believe in Christ or holds perverted beliefs in Christ be damned to Hell for eternity without the mercy of Christ kicking in and saving them first?
Is not accepting Christ as your Savior a sin? If it isn't a sin, why do some believe that the unbeliever will be punished to hell for eternity for something that is not a sin? If it is a sin, does eternal damnation satisfy the balance of justice and mercy that Christ enabled through his atonement?
My thoughts are kind of jumbled right now, so hopefully someone can sort this all out and make an intelligent response.