<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr>[color:"blue"]According to many, sinners are condemned to hell BECAUSE they reject the Gospel. What they either state explicitly or implicitly is that mankind is "neutral or innocent" until the hear and reject the Gospel overture.</font><hr></blockquote><p><br><br>Pilgrim,<br><br>Agreed. I would think that Paul's address at Athens might lead some to believe such a notion. Acts 17:30 states that "In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all men everywhere to repent." Some might conclude that prior to hearing of the resurrection of Christ salvation could be found through general revelation, without repentance and faith in the promise. Whether they use Acts 17:30 as a proof-text, Roman Catholicism has taught that those "through no fault of their own, do not know the gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart....those too may achieve eternal salvation." "Evangelicals" Clark Pinnock and even Millard Erickson hold similar positions. Sadly enough, several years ago I heard an interview conducted by David Frost with Billy Graham where Graham stated that men who have not heard the gospel in this life will have the opportunity to receive Christ after death. Graham made it clear that he was not speaking of the false doctrine of purgatory but rather he was suggesting that men could be evangelized after death, prior to being cast out. Given his view of the will and depravity, I might venture to guess that the trajectory of Graham's theology would allow for men to truly repent once in Hell. Imagine that, contrite men in Hell whom God would not save. [img]http://www.the-highway.com/w3timages/icons/dizzy.gif" alt="dizzy" title="dizzy[/img] As you know, the simple solution to all this confusion can be found in the sovereignty of God, who ensures that all He has elected and only them will come to faith by the ordained means of the preaching of the gospel.<br><br>Blessings,<br><br>Ron
