This is a difficult question. It’s not difficult theologically, but practically. If we give a simple “yes” answer, it makes Christianity and the God of Christianity look petty or bigoted. So how can we communicate the answer in a way that is both truthful and tactful? Greg Koukl from Stand to Reason has some tips for answering this question in a tactical manner.
First, clarify why it is that people go to hell. It’s not because they fail a theology test, but because they fail a moral test. People will be sentenced to hell for their moral crimes against a holy God, not for their failure to believe in Jesus. Sin is like a disease. Both will kill you (one physically, one spiritually) if they go untreated. Those who die of an untreated disease do not die because they haven’t visited the doctor, but because of their disease. Likewise, people do not go to hell because they have failed to believe in Jesus, but because of their sin.
Second, ask them if they have committed any moral crimes. You’re not asking for specifics, but in general. If they are honest, they will admit that they have. Admit to them that you have too. In fact, every person has.
Third, ask them if they believe those who commit moral crimes should be punished. Most people will agree that justice calls for punishment. This spells bad news, because if Christianity is true, there is a just and moral judge who will punish each of us for our moral crimes.
Fourth, explain the role of Jesus. While all of us are deserving of hell, God has offered us a pardon through Jesus Christ. Jesus alone has paid the penalty for our crimes so that we won’t have to. We can take advantage of that pardon by putting our trust in the one who gave it, or, we can refuse Him and His pardon and choose to pay for our own crimes, such as they are. The choice is theirs.
The advantage of this approach is that it helps take the edge off of an uncomfortable question while also explaining the essence of the Gospel in the process.
Thinking to Believe 
March 17, 2022 at 7:09 am
Koukl says:
“This is a difficult question. It’s not difficult theologically, but practically. If we give a simple “yes” answer, it makes Christianity and the God of Christianity look petty or bigoted.”
I strongly disagree, saying yes to this question is not only true, but practical. A simple yes is all that is required unless the questioner inquires further.
Why would I be concerned if someone “thinks” I am being petty or bigoted when I am not?
Part of the problem with Christians today is their over concern with being unfairly perceived by sinful people. This is a mind-set that the left, homosexual activists and atheist have been trying to create in us for years. And they have been successful because we have allowed them to control the conversation and the thought process on such issues. But we are to maintain such control.
The Bible is clear as to the penalty of rejecting Jesus, Jesus said “IF YOU BELIEVE NOT THAT I AM, YOU WILL DIE IN YOUR SIN”. Acts 4:12 says there is salvation in no other. I can tell them that and feel no shame in doing so. I fail to see why doing so is not “TACTFUL”.
I like much of Greg Koukl’s work, but I do not agree with all he says. His comment:
“It’s not because they fail a theology test, but because they fail a moral test.”
Changes the “question” into a “theological test”, why? That is a form of bait and switch that over complicates and even misrepresents the question asked. Why refer to a simple question as a theological test?
He says:
“People will be sentenced to hell for their moral crimes against a holy God, not for their failure to believe in Jesus.”
But isn’t it their failure to believe in Jesus, that permits them to live in sin and commit moral crimes? I don’t understand why Koukl seeks to separate the two as if one has nothing to do with the other. I find it disturbing that Christian thinkers, sometimes go overboard in their thinking, and end up making things more confusing than they actually are.
I don’t know if it is due to a need to feel they are being brilliant after receiving so many praises from people who love and benefit from their material, or a need to just feel like they are at the forefront of new ideas, or any other number of reasons. But I think we must be careful to be as accurate as we can and as simple as we can.
While none of us are perfect in this, we can help each other stay in line by pointing out when each other goes off.
I have been helped many times by having my comments evaluated; it forced me to see what I had not seen before, or at least a need to provide more clarity.
He said:
“Those who die of an untreated disease do not die because they haven’t visited the doctor, but because of their disease. Likewise, people do not go to hell because they have failed to believe in Jesus, but because of their sin.”
This is not a good example. Because again it ignores a key element, the “disease” is allowed to kill because of the failure of the sick to accept the doctor’s cure.
Remember, we are not discussing someone who never heard or knew about Jesus, we are discussing someone who “don’t” believe in Jesus.
You see, you can’t just make up examples that ignore the real question and issue, and insist that it makes sense. (No offense intended, I am just trying to explain my disagreement).
Koukl’s second and third steps are unnecessary. Only his fourth step is needed, just explain the gospel message to them.
I also see a problem with the first part of his concluding words:
“The advantage of this approach is that it helps take the edge off of an uncomfortable question”
You see, here again it is all about taking the edge off of an uncomfortable question, rather than addressing an important question with truth.
While we are not to intentionally be insensitive about questions people ask, (there was no information provided about the state of the questioner), we should evaluate the question and the person asking it in a careful manner while assessing their state in our presence.
I believe our primary obligation is to share the truth, and not to play psychiatric examiner and feelings consoler. We need to allow the Holy Spirit to be the Holy Spirit and not try to play His part. We deliver the word in love, we do not try to determine how that word will be received and reacted to.
Bending over backwards to avoid offending people is a bad method of evangelism. Homosexual and atheist activists have successfully used psychological tactics to make Christians feel ashamed for daring to speak what God’s word says. We must stop allowing them to control the conversation and the meaning of “love”. “compassion” and “kindness” etc.
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March 17, 2022 at 12:00 pm
some quick points just to clarify the biblical teaching …………
as you know …… it’s not just believing in Jesus you have to have faith (a true/saving faith) that His completed work saves you. you have to enter into a covenant with Him —- where you have to say yes to Jesus and Jesus has to say yes to you.
if you are condemned to hell — this is not the pagan gentile concept where satan rules and reigns and you experience eternal conscious torment. you will be “destroyed body and soul” as Matt 10: 28 states.
now the type of believing as mentioned above is the only way to ensure you are saved at the Second Coming of Jesus. based on other biblical evidence —- there’s 2 general resurrections. 1 at the Second Coming for the OT and NT Church and 1 just after the Millennial Reign. others will be saved at the Great White Throne Judgement which occurs after the Second Coming after the Millennial Reign. that’s because of the completed work of Jesus He can save whoever He wants.
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March 25, 2022 at 5:58 am
“People will be sentenced to hell for their moral crimes against a holy God, not for their failure to believe in Jesus.”
Hmm, except that simply not believing is one of the reasons people are supposedly sent to hell:
• Revelation 21:8 But the cowardly, THE UNBELIEVING, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur.
“Second, ask them if they have committed any moral crimes.”
Everyone makes mistakes. We learn from them and move on, striving to be better people. That’s the human experience, and it’s all that can be asked of anyone.
“Third, ask them if they believe those who commit moral crimes should be punished. Most people will agree that justice calls for punishment.”
Justice is the punishment fitting the crime. But infinite punishment for finite mistakes can’t be justice, especially considering the Bible says God makes us all born wicked:
• Psalm 51:5 SURELY I WAS SINFUL AT BIRTH, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
• Romans 3:23 FOR ALL HAVE SINNED and fall short of the glory of God.
• Romans 3:10-12 As it is written: “THERE IS NO ONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, THEY HAVE TOGETHER BECOME WORTHLESS; THERE IS NO ONE WHO DOES GOOD, NOT EVEN ONE.”
• Matthew 19:17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “THERE IS ONLY ONE WHO IS GOOD.”
• Mark 10:18 and Luke 18:19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “NO ONE IS GOOD—except God alone.”
• Psalm 58:3 EVEN FROM BIRTH THE WICKED GO ASTRAY; from the womb they are wayward, spreading lies.
“Fourth, explain the role of Jesus. While all of us are deserving of hell, God has offered us a pardon through Jesus Christ. Jesus alone has paid the penalty for our crimes so that we won’t have to.”
But having someone else suffer for your misdeeds is not justice at all. Justice is getting what you deserve. Besides, if God is all powerful then he has no need to require us to accept Jesus, since by definition he can do that himself without requiring a human sacrifice:
• Matthew 19:26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.”
• Job 42:2 I know that YOU CAN DO ALL THINGS; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
• Revelation 19:6 For our Lord God ALMIGHTY reigns.
• Jeremiah 32:27 I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is ANYTHING too hard for me?
How does God sacrificing himself to himself to save us from himself make sense?
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March 25, 2022 at 12:50 pm
derekmathias, lol …………… nothing you say makes sense because you are delusional as your own words prove.
lol ………… the pagan gentile concept of hell is a false interpretation and it isn’t “Justice.” it’s a made up place —- so again you take a false interpretation of the bible to disprove the bible. that’s not only intellectually dishonest it’s delusional.
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