Did pre-Bible humans go to heaven/hell/purgatory?

Those born before the Bible was written... where did they go after death? Because the Bible didn't exist yet, they couldn't have faith right?

And where is the line drawn with regard to species in the homo genus before homo sapiens? Like homo erectus, was he expected to have faith? Neanderthals?

 

Don't be so silly. The world was created in 4004 BC, so there were no Homo Erectuses (Rump pumpers with a boner) or Neanderthals, only "sinners" and Hebrew Herrenvolk.

Surely you don't think G-d was so neglectful, so accidentally merciful, that he would create beings with an alibi that would enable them to escape his premeditated Holocaust in the Hereafter?

 

great.
:2thumbsup:

 

This question depends on a few things: 1) were these species created in God's image? 2) did these species sin? 3) did these species have souls?

Humans uniquely share in God's image. Although not a literal account, Genesis 1 describes humanity's creation as very good, as opposed to just good for the rest of creation. Sharing in this image means something special. Being special isn't always easy. The Hebrews were chosen but it was not always easy for them

Sin is also what separates us ontologically from other animals. Sin is not just doing "bad things", but requires knowlege and intent as well.

We are both physical and spiritual creatures. Other animals do not have the same sort of soul in that ours reflects the image of God.

In conclusion, we cannot know.

 

To add to that, animals are not created in God's image so are therefore exempt from moral laws. Lions that kill their own cubs would not be committing sin. They are simply performing instinct. But a human created in God's image, doing the same things would be bound to moral laws.

What's ok for animals may not be ok for humans.

For your question since they didn't have the Bible and could not have faith, what about Abraham? It is said that he 'walked with God' before the writing down of the documents, so that can be an example of having faith before the Bibles inception. As for where they go, they all went to the grave or what is known as sheol; Sheol is a state of being dead or gravedom: Youtube Playlist if interested.

Also, I'd imagine that Adam and Eve would have expressed their experiences to their children just as all parents are likely to do.

In some theories, there is what is called "The Scientific Adam" so if it started with anyone it may have started with him.

 

I think the question is then when did creatures of the homo genus attain souls? If we have souls now, yet our early ancestors did not then when did we get them? I find it hard to accept that somewhere along the line we became 'created' in God's image where before we were not. So it would have either had to be that the first 'man' possessed a soul where his father didn't, or there was a slow accretion of soul-ness over a long period of time.

 

Except for Adam and Eve; they all went to "hell", the common grave of mankind, to await the resurrection.

 

I call bullshit.. M theory, everything is connected.. Whales dream of monkeys and monkeys dream of Whales.. Human beings Never stop dreaming. Neither do any other life forms really...
religion is irrelevant/ Praising the creator is visual in all life... All life worships the Creator, whether they can communicate about it or not... As Humans are animals: we eat like one, we defecate like one, we have ears like one, we have a mouth like one, we have limbs like one, we have skin like one, we have hair like one, we even have DNA like all of them. This list is far from comprehensive.

2. We are not the only species with the ability to reason. In experiments done where humans were tested against chimpanzees in visual reasoning and problem solving, the chimps out-performed the humans. It is believed that our language development has dulled our visual reasoning abilities. A chimpanzee is thought to have roughly the intelligence of the average five-year-old human, except when it comes to certain kinds of thinking. Apes have also displayed the ability to plan for the future and the ability to restrain themselves when food is placed before them, having understood that if they wait they will have a larger meal to sit down to.

Though no one is required to worship God, including other species. You just do, even if you are not aware of it..... :sunny:

 

You can call it anything you want but it is what the Bible says.

 

Narcissus sees Narcissus. God sees God.

 

The classic, and the only supposedly irrefutable argument of christians all over the world. And it's laughable.

 

That is funny. Most of the time when people say that's what the bible says, What they say is not found in the bible. But it is found in interpretive materials that are not the bible, such as concordances and helps.

I have never read the quotation that, except for Adam and Eve, everyone goes to hell, the common grave of all mankind to await resurrection.

I would be interested in seeing the support for this claim.

 

I think this question is a waste of time, honestly. Besides, who said that just because the Bible didn't exist they couldn't have faith?

 

I am not versed in the bible, but is not the first circle of hell, limbo, the place where people who have never been introduced to the "word of god" go. I guess limbo is part of hell, but its not so bad

Least that is how it goes in Dante's Divine Comedy

 

It's hard to believe that such ignorance still exists

 

I used to have a huge problem with this question when I was a Christian, it was part of many reasons why I moved away from the faith.

My brother who is a wanna be theologian always told me that Christ and God still live in the hearts of the holy, even if the holy were not exposed to Christianity.

Never made sense to me. Religious people can explain away a lot to avoid facing the contradictions of their faith.

 

no such thing as purgatory

 

or heaven or hell

 

and your posting in the Christian forum? becuase your a troll?

 

The text demands certain statements to be accepted before the text can be considered. Think of it as a thought experiment. Example, if scriptures is of no private interpretation then there SHOULD be only one true interpretation.

In the thought experiment we must accept certain things:
1) All 40 or so compiled books are of one mind and this mind is of the God it describes.
2) There is no private interpretation thus can only have one true interpretation/An intended meaning
3) Their cannot be any contradictions since God is perfect and never lies (according to the text)

If we do find any contradictions then cross referencing is required to work out the contradiction (even if apparent).

There is also the requirement that the Bible gives in order for the text to become more 'active'. It states that we should put ourselves in a lowly position otherwise the text isn't as effective. So if we follow with the thought experiment, along with enacting this attitude (a requirement), what could not be understood before can be if those requirements are worked in.

I would argue in support of what you said but it may not make sense because there is a long line of reasoning that goes into this question. And you would be right for questioning it. I could add in the verses, but why it should be accepted as rational or coherent may not be apparent. That's why it's my opinion that we search these things on our own and not rely so much on commentary. Simply put, it's a long and arduous process which is why I believe Paul advises that it should be searched daily.

Don't take my word for it, though