What would a Christian think of this:
Someone who was very poor stole to survive
The Christian perspective on someone stealing to survive might vary widely depending on the individual, their theological stance, and personal beliefs about morality and ethics. However, I can outline some general viewpoints based on Christian doctrine and teachings:
1. **Violation of commandments:** Christianity, like Judaism and Islam, acknowledges the Ten Commandments, which include "Thou shalt not steal." Thus, from a scriptural standpoint, stealing is inherently wrong, regardless of the circumstances.
2. **Compassion for the poor:** At the same time, Christianity emphasizes compassion and caring for the poor and destitute. Many Christians would feel empathy for someone who is in such desperate circumstances that they believe they have no other choice but to steal to survive.
3. **Social justice:** Some Christians might look at the situation from a social justice perspective, arguing that society has failed this individual by allowing them to reach such a level of need. Hence, while the act of stealing might not be condoned, the situational factors that led to it would be critically examined, and efforts would be encouraged to address the root causes of poverty.
4. **Repentance and forgiveness:** Christianity teaches that repentance and seeking forgiveness are always available for those who have sinned. If the individual who stole acknowledges their wrongdoing and seeks to make amends, many Christians would offer forgiveness and support for the individual's path to restitution and personal change.
5. **Responsibility and reform:** Some Christians might point to the individual's responsibility to find lawful ways to overcome poverty and not resort to theft. They might argue that the person should seek help from the community or church rather than commit a crime.
6. **Practical support:** On a practical level, many Christians would likely want to provide immediate help and resources to such a person, not only for their spiritual needs but also for their physical ones, aiming to address the immediate causes that led to the theft.
Ultimately, Christians are called to both uphold moral laws and also show mercy and kindness. The tension between justice and mercy is a frequent theme in Christian teachings, with mercy often being an important emphasis. In all cases, a Christian response would likely involve a compassionate understanding of the person's situation, coupled with an encouragement to seek lawful and ethical means of survival.
What would Christians think of this:
Someone who had never heard of Christianity or Jesus
The question of what happens to those who have never heard about Christianity or Jesus Christ is a theological question that has been discussed and debated within Christianity for centuries. Different Christian traditions have different perspectives on this issue:
1. **Exclusivism:** This view holds that explicit faith in Jesus is necessary for salvation. Exclusivists may believe that those who have not heard the Gospel are without hope for salvation, often emphasizing the urgency of missionary work to reach those people. Notably, some exclusivists argue that God will ensure all who are to be saved will hear the Gospel in some form.
2. **Inclusivism:** Inclusivists believe that while Jesus is the only way to salvation, individuals who have not heard the Gospel might still be saved through Christ's work if they respond positively to God's revelation in nature and conscience. They hold that it's not necessarily one's explicit knowledge of Christ that saves but rather God's grace through Christ applied to those who seek truth and righteousness.
3. **Universal Reconciliation (or Universalism):** Some Christians believe in universal reconciliation, the view that ultimately all people will be reconciled to God through Christ. This perspective would assert that individuals who have never heard the Gospel will eventually be given the opportunity for salvation, either in this life or the afterlife.
4. **Postmortem Evangelism:** Some theologians propose that God, in his infinite mercy, might offer a chance for salvation after death. This concept, also known as the "wider hope," suggests that those who did not have an opportunity to hear about Jesus in this life will hear the Gospel and have the opportunity to respond in the afterlife.
5. **Prevenient Grace:** A belief held by some, especially within Wesleyan and Arminian traditions, is prevenient grace, which is a grace that goes before or precedes human decision. It posits that God's grace enables people to choose God, even if they haven't explicitly heard the Gospel.
6. **Divine Mystery:** Other Christians might simply state that the fate of those who've never heard the Gospel is a mystery known only to God. They trust in God's justice and mercy, believing that God will judge all people fairly, which includes making provision for those who are ignorant of the Gospel through no fault of their own.
In general, Christians value the importance of missionary work, spreading the Christian faith, and offering everyone the opportunity to hear about Jesus. However, there's an acknowledgment within most traditions that ultimately, the judgment of souls is up to God alone, and many hold onto hope that God's mercy and justice will prevail in ways that may be beyond human understanding.
Do Christians think of this as a sin
Someone who had never heard of Christianity or Jesus
Within Christian theology, sin is generally understood as any thought or action that falls short of God's will and standards, as revealed in the Bible. Traditional Christian teaching holds that all humans are sinners due to the fall of Adam and Eve (the doctrine of original sin), regardless of whether they have heard about Christianity or Jesus.
For someone who has never heard of Christianity or Jesus, Christians would generally not consider their lack of knowledge as a sin in itself. However, according to Christian doctrine, that person, like all humans, still possesses a sinful nature that separates them from God. This is independent of their exposure to Christian teaching.
Christian views on the knowledge of sin and accountability before God are varied:
1. **Natural Law and General Revelation:** Many Christians believe in the concept of natural law or general revelation, which is the idea that God has made some moral truths known to all people through their conscience and reason. Thus, people everywhere are accountable for certain moral choices, even without specific knowledge of Christian teachings.
2. **Particular Revelation and Accountability:** Christians typically emphasize the importance of particular revelation (the knowledge of God revealed in the Scriptures and through Jesus Christ) for a full understanding of sin and the path to salvation. In this view, specific knowledge of sin and grace is contained within the teachings of Christianity, and those who have not heard the Gospel are not held accountable for rejecting it.
3. **Divine Judgment:** Many Christians believe that God is perfectly just and merciful and that He will judge all people fairly, taking into account their circumstances, knowledge, and opportunities. This belief leaves room for the possibility that God has a way of dealing righteously with those who have never heard of Jesus or Christianity.
4. **Evangelical Imperative:** The situation of people who have never heard the Gospel is one reason why many Christians feel a strong sense of duty to evangelize and share their faith with others, as they believe that through hearing, people have the opportunity to respond to the message of salvation.
Ultimately, the Christian position on individuals who have never heard of Christianity or Jesus is rooted in the trust that God is just and merciful and that his ways are sometimes beyond human comprehension. While Christians are called to share their faith and believe that doing so is important, they also trust that God will deal justly with every person.
Do Christian s think this is a sin:
Someone got into a lot of fights and got angry but does not any more
In Christian theology, the emotions or actions you describe—getting into fights and experiencing anger—can be considered sinful when they lead to harmful behavior, cause strife, are uncontrolled, or result from selfish or unjust reasons. Christianity teaches that a transformation of character should occur as believers grow in their faith, becoming more like the teachings of Christ, who is characterized by love, peace, patience, and self-control.
Let's address the two specific topics:
1. **Anger:** Christianity recognizes that anger is a natural human emotion and not inherently sinful; it is the motivation behind the anger and how it is expressed that is critically important. For example, Ephesians 4:26 says, "In your anger do not sin." So, angry feelings are not automatically sinful, but Christians are cautioned to not let their anger lead them to sin. Jesus himself exhibited anger at injustice and hypocrisy (e.g., when he cleared the temple in John 2:13-16), but his anger was perfectly aligned with righteous indignation and was not motivated by personal spite or malice.
2. **Fighting:** Physical altercations are generally considered sinful since they are often expressions of uncontrolled anger, personal vengeance, or other sinful impulses. The New Testament repeatedly instructs believers to live in peace with others (Romans 12:18, Matthew 5:9) and to turn away from violence. However, the context and motivation behind the fights would be important in judging the nature of the sin.
Regarding the change in behavior—someone who used to get into fights and be angry but does not anymore—a Christian perspective would likely be the following:
- **Repentance:** Christians believe in the importance of repentance, which is the sincere turning away from sin and turning toward God. If a person acknowledges their past sinfulness, repents, and seeks forgiveness, then through Christ, they can be forgiven.
- **Sanctification:** The change in behavior you mention may be viewed as a sign of sanctification, the process by which a person's life is progressively made holy through the work of the Holy Spirit. This is seen as evidence of genuine faith and spiritual growth.
- **Forgiveness and New Life:** Christianity teaches that once a person has repented, they are forgiven, and their past sins are no longer held against them. They are encouraged to live a new life in accordance with Christian values.
In summary, Christians believe in the power of redemption and the transformation of character. They would not continue to label someone as a sinner for past actions of anger and fighting if that person has genuinely repented, been forgiven, and changed their ways. Rather, this change toward peace and self-control would typically be celebrated as a testament to the transformative power of faith in Jesus.