I see that as a contradicting statement. The gospel is convincing. If someone has heard a non convincing gospel then they haven't heard THE gospel.I mean how you fit them into your philosophical framework. If there are people who hear the gospel, but never hear any convincing reasons to believe it, how can they be blamed for not believing?
Note that the vast majority of people who walked the planet earth fit in this category.
I don't think anyone will be blamed for not believing what they never had a chance to believe in.
Let's look at John 3:18
He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Now, there are a couple of ways of looking at this verse. Some might take it to say that this indicates people who hear and reject, not people who are ignorant of the gospel. But you could also take this to mean that people ignorant of the gospel will be judged "already," not because they failed to hear the gospel, but because they are wicked sinners, and will be judged accordingly.
OK, so what is your point? I would agree that people convert. People are persuaded by all kinds of lies. In fact, the scriptures warn us of this very thing. I'm not sure what it has to do with the topic, or just what your point is here.Again, I acknowledged that there are a few exceptions to this. But so what? There are also Christians who convert to other religions all the time. And in most cases, this is because they genuinely find the reasons for believing them more persuasive.
Smiley, this is the problem most have with you here. Does the bible teach us about mystery? Does the bible teach us that many of the ways of God are beyond our comprehension? Yes or no? Don't just call people lazy. Show us where the correct answer lies. Don't just tell someone they are wrong, lazy, stupid, etc. Break it down. If you refuse to do that, then you are not engaging in honest discussion.As for "mystery of God", I have no inherent problem with that, believe that if it makes you feel better. But in my opinion it is essentially a lazy excuse to justify believing in propositions that contradict one another.
The point is that the bible on more than one occassion says that people from EVERY tribe, nation and tongue are purchased. I do believe in universal redemption because the bible teaches it. I do not believe in universal salvation. Why? Because of what the bible teaches.Are you implying some kind of universalism here? If not, I have no idea what your point is.
"After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands." Rev. 7:9
Who is before the throne? A vast multitude. From where? ....................
When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, "I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. (Matt 8:10-11).
And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. (Matt 24:31)
