Question about the Bible

[rojse]

How come Europe was the only area that deserved to hear about the word of the christian God, and had a chance for salvation?

What I mean to ask is why did Europe get the word of the Bible, while most countries outside of the area did not get a chance to hear the word of God?

Australia did not get the Bible until 1788 AD (year of European settlement). North America did not get the Bible until 1492 AD. There are a great deal many other countries that I could list with this. So why did the natives of these countries, and many others have to wait many centuries, or even more than a millenia, to receive the word of God, and have a chance for salvation?

 

[Popeyesays]

There were manyChristian communities inArabia andPersiaat the timeof Muhammad.

Also the earliest Christian Church was not European,butAfrican (Coptic Church)

One should also consider thatin the time of Jesus or the Quranthere was no way to broadcast the word of the Prophet beyond the reach of His voice.

Regards,
Scott

 

[rojse]

A god that can go everywhere could surely broadcast a voice if he wished, or even send down another prophet.

 

[Katzpur]

How come Europe was the only area that deserved to hear about the word of the christian God, and had a chance for salvation?

It wasn't. The Bible may not have reached the American continent for nearly 1500 years after Jesus Christ died, but He did. :yes:

 

[rojse]

How so?

 

[doppelganger]

How so?

Softball. Head up!

 

[Katzpur]

How so?

I trust you will recognize that this is strictly the LDS perspective on the subject, but we believe that the resurrected Christ appeared to some of the inhabitants of the ancient Americas and taught them the same gospel He'd taught in the Holy Land during His mortal life. That's the whole premise behind the Book of Mormon. The book is a history of those people.

 

[Katzpur]

Softball. Head up!

Well, what do you expect? Someone asks a question like that, and you think the Mormons are going to say, "Duh... I dunno." :drool:

 

[rojse]

Okay. What about Australia, for example? Your explanation does not explain why there is no Christian beliefs here before European Settlement?

 

[Popeyesays]

It would havebeen alongtripto Australia for Jesus.

TVsetswerefew and far between for himto do a slot on Leno.

What's your point?

Regards,

 

[rojse]

Well, Katzpur says that God appeared in America, and gave them the Book of Mormon.

What makes America more special than Australia, in terms of why they received enlightenment and not us? Or any other country outside of the European region, for that matter?

 

[Popeyesays]

Well, Katzpur says that God appeared in America, and gave them the Book of Mormon.

What makes America more special than Australia, in terms of why they received enlightenment and not us? Or any other country outside of the European region, for that matter?

Well, actually, Katzpursays JESUS appearedinAmericato thelosttribes. I doubt there were any lost tribes in Australia.

That's a Mormon thing,though. I never was a Mormon.

Regards,
Scott

 

[rojse]

What are the "Lost Tribes"?

 

[Popeyesays]

Try Googling "Lost Tribes of Israel".

Regards,
Scott

 

[Katzpur]

Okay. What about Australia, for example? Your explanation does not explain why there is no Christian beliefs here before European Settlement?

The fact that I didn't address Australia doesn't necessarily preclude the possibility that Christ appeared there, too. The fact that we have no written record of His visit doesn't mean all that much. After all, only twelve million people worldwide believe that He visited the American continent. Those who do will tell you that it's entirely possible that He taught His gospel posthumously to people throughout the world and that their records simply haven't been found. It wouldn't make any difference anyway. People who reject one account are going to reject any number of other accounts. I was just throwing out the idea anyway. Anyway, FYI, in case you're interested, here's what the Book of Mormon says on the subject:

2 Nephi 29:7-11 Know ye not that there are more nations than one? Know ye not that I, the Lord your God, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath; and I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth? Wherefore murmur ye, because that ye shall receive more of my word? Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I remember one nation like unto another? Wherefore, I speak the same words unto one nation like unto another. And when the two nations shall run together the testimony of the two nations shall run together also. And I do this that I may prove unto many that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and that I speak forth my words according to mine own pleasure. And because that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another; for my work is not yet finished; neither shall it be until the end of man, neither from that time henceforth and forever. Wherefore, because that ye have a Bible ye need not suppose that it contains all my words; neither need ye suppose that I have not caused more to be written. For I command all men, both in the east and in the west, and in the north, and in the south, and in the islands of the sea, that they shall write the words which I speak unto them; for out of the books which shall be written I will judge the world, every man according to their works, according to that which is written.

 

[madhatter85]

How come Europe was the only area that deserved to hear about the word of the christian God, and had a chance for salvation?

What I mean to ask is why did Europe get the word of the Bible, while most countries outside of the area did not get a chance to hear the word of God?

Australia did not get the Bible until 1788 AD (year of European settlement). North America did not get the Bible until 1492 AD. There are a great deal many other countries that I could list with this. So why did the natives of these countries, and many others have to wait many centuries, or even more than a millenia, to receive the word of God, and have a chance for salvation?

That's a very good question! And i believe that they all had thier own prophets and insiration by god, and one of those records is the Book of Mormon for the americas. I'm quite certain there are others who recieved revelation along the same lines.

 

[madhatter85]

The fact that I didn't address Australia doesn't necessarily preclude the possibility that Christ appeared there, too. The fact that we have no written record of His visit doesn't mean all that much. After all, only twelve million people worldwide believe that He visited the American continent. Those who do will tell you that it's entirely possible that He taught His gospel posthumously to people throughout the world and that their records simply haven't been found. It wouldn't make any difference anyway. People who reject one account are going to reject any number of other accounts. I was just throwing out the idea anyway. Anyway, FYI, in case you're interested, here's what the Book of Mormon says on the subject:

2 Nephi 29:7-11 Know ye not that there are more nations than one? Know ye not that I, the Lord your God, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath; and I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth? Wherefore murmur ye, because that ye shall receive more of my word? Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I remember one nation like unto another? Wherefore, I speak the same words unto one nation like unto another. And when the two nations shall run together the testimony of the two nations shall run together also. And I do this that I may prove unto many that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and that I speak forth my words according to mine own pleasure. And because that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another; for my work is not yet finished; neither shall it be until the end of man, neither from that time henceforth and forever. Wherefore, because that ye have a Bible ye need not suppose that it contains all my words; neither need ye suppose that I have not caused more to be written. For I command all men, both in the east and in the west, and in the north, and in the south, and in the islands of the sea, that they shall write the words which I speak unto them; for out of the books which shall be written I will judge the world, every man according to their works, according to that which is written.

AWESOME SCRIPTURE!!!! i have loved that section ever since i read it over 7 years ago, it's not a very expounded upon scripture in our church but it is very powerful to me.

 

[rojse]

If the Gospel has been spread in all of the other areas of the world, how come there are no oral records of this, if not cave art depictions or so forth? Apart from the obvious conclusion that it did not occur, what possible reason could there be? Was the message not worthy of spreading? Did the people prefer their own religions?

 

[James the Persian]

Who says that those who didn't hear the Gospel are damned? That is not the ancient teaching of the Church (look at the tradition of the harrowing of hell, for instance). Only sola scriptura Protestants could possibly have such a weird view of salvation, with all who lived prior to a book appearing in their land are damned. As others have said, the Bible wasn't ever confined solely to Europe. There were early churches throughout the middle east, in Africa and in India and within the first 6 centuries or so Christianity was represented from Ireland to China, but the earliest church was not Coptic as someone claimed. The Patriarchate of Alexandria was early as it was founded by a disciple of St. Peter, but there was no such church as the Coptic church until that patriarchate split in two after the council of Chalcedon, and besides both Jerusalem and Antioch are older Sees, and plenty of others are contemporary with Alexandria having also been founded by Apostles - Ephesus, Rome, Tomis, Corinth, India to name but a few.

James

 

[joeboonda]

Luke 24

44And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
45Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
46And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
47And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
48And ye are witnesses of these things.
49And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
50And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. 51And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.

We see here that Jesus told the DISCIPLES to go and preach the Gospel, to ALL nations, BEGINNING AT JERUSALEM. Jesus ascended to Heaven and left the disciples (and us) to spread the Gospel, beginning at Jerusalem (where they/you are), then to all nations. This is just what they did. They preached the Gospel starting at Jerusalem and then in all directions. It was easiest to travel within the Roman Empire as there were roads and it was all ruled by Rome, so the Gospel spread to the known Roman ruled world first. As opposition, languages, and oceans, etc. hindered the Gospel, slowed it down, not completely stopped it, we are still going into all the world to reach every last tribe and person. That is the Great Commission. There are many barriers to overcome, physical and spiritual. But Jesus said the Gospel would be preached to all the world and then the end would come. We are very close to fulfilling that.