TOD 02.04.08

One common theoretical objection to Christianity is that it would be unfair to send people to hell for merely never having heard the Gospel. Ignoring all the mistaken premises here, is the main idea even right? But, is it always wrong to hold people accountable for what they don’t know? If so, then the absurd conclusion would be that we should flee all knowledge so as to avoid all blame.

Yet, when a criminal doesn’t know his behavior was illegal, the courts tell him that ignorance of the law is no excuse. When parents say they are doing the best they know how, we properly tell them that they should have known more. And, in a more tangible way, contrary to the popular aphorism, what you don’t know can make you poor, make you sick, and even kill you. This isn’t a judgment per se, but it’s certainly a form of accountability. So whether it’s from the punishment of people or circumstances, ignorance often will not protect you.

Thus, we say that a person should work hard to be sure he knows the most he can. And if so, how much more true for us blessed with personal, direct access to God’s Word for ourselves?