Common Questions Unsaved People Ask About Christianity
Unsaved People's Questions About Christianity
Unsaved individuals often ask questions about Christianity that stem from misconceptions or a lack of understanding about its core teachings. One common inquiry revolves around the concept of salvation and who is eligible for it. According to Adam Clarke, a Methodist/Wesleyan commentator, Christ's approach to sinners, as seen in John 5:6, was to ask questions that would stir their hearts to desire and expect salvation [6]. This method is still applicable today, as preachers of the Gospel can use similar inquiries to awaken hardened and desponding sinners.
The question of whether one's current state or circumstances can hinder their salvation is another area of concern. Adam Clarke notes on 1 Corinthians 7:20 that any situation in life can be conducive to salvation if a person is faithful to the grace they have received. This implies that salvation is not limited by external circumstances but is dependent on an individual's faithfulness to God's grace [5].
Some unsaved individuals may wonder if they are too sinful to be saved. The Bible addresses this concern in various passages. For instance, Leviticus 5:19 emphasizes the need for a sacrifice for sin, indicating that without it, one cannot be accepted by God. Adam Clarke's commentary on this verse underscores the infinite purity and strict justice of God, highlighting that even in holy things, there can be sinfulness [1]. However, the Christian message offers hope by providing a sacrifice for sin through Jesus Christ.
Another question often asked is about the exclusivity of Christianity and whether people from different backgrounds or "callings" can be saved. As noted earlier, Adam Clarke's commentary on 1 Corinthians 7:20 suggests that both the circumcised and uncircumcised have the same advantages in Christ, implying that salvation is accessible regardless of one's background [5].
The issue of perseverance and the possibility of falling away from the faith is also a concern. Adam Clarke, commenting on Hebrews 6:4, interprets the passage as referring not to backsliders but to apostates from Christianity who reject the entire Christian system and its author, Jesus Christ. This suggests that the warning is against total apostasy rather than occasional sin or backsliding [4].
Some may also ask about the nature of sin and its dominion over believers. According to Matthew Henry, a Nonconformist/Puritan commentator on 1 John 5:18, believers are secured against the full dominion or guilt of sin because they are born of God. This does not mean they do not sin, but they do not sin with the same fullness of heart and spirit as the unregenerate [2].
Finally, unsaved individuals might be curious about the urgency and importance of salvation. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, in their commentary on Luke 13:23, note that Jesus took the opportunity presented by a question about the number of people being saved to issue a solemn warning not to trifle with the matter of salvation. This indicates that salvation is a momentous issue that should not be taken lightly [3].
The questions unsaved people ask about Christianity often reflect deeper concerns about sin, salvation, and the Christian life. By examining biblical teachings and commentaries from various Christian traditions, it becomes clear that Christianity offers a comprehensive and hopeful message about salvation that is accessible to all, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Sources
- Leviticus (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Leviticus 5:19: He hath certainly trespassed - And because he hath sinned, therefore he must bring a sacrifice. On no other ground shall he be accepted by the Lord. Reader, how dost thou stand in the sight of thy Maker? On the subject of this chapter it may be proper to make the following reflections. When the infinite purity and strict justice of God are considered, the exceeding breadth of his commandment, our slowness of heart to believe, and our comparatively cold performance of sacred duties, no wonder that there is sinfulness found in our holy things; and at what a low ebb”
- 1 John (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 John 5:18: Here we have, I. A recapitulation of the privileges and advantages of sound Christian believers. 1. They are secured against sin, against the fulness of its dominion or the fulness of its guilt: We know that whosoever is born of God (and the believer in Christ is born of God, Jo1 5:1) sinneth not (Jo1 5:18), sinneth not with that fulness of heart and spirit that the unregenerate do (as was said Jo1 3:6, Jo1 3:9), and consequently not with that fulness of guilt that attends the sins of others; and so he is secured against that sin which is unavoidably unto death, o”
- Luke (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Luke 13:23: Lord, &c.--one of those curious questions by talking of which some flatter themselves they are religious. said unto them--the multitude; taking no notice of the man or his question, save as furnishing the occasion of a solemn warning not to trifle with so momentous a matter as "salvation."”
- Hebrews (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hebrews 6:4: For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened - Before I proceed to explain the different terms in these verses, it is necessary to give my opinion of their design and meaning: 1. I do not consider them as having any reference to any person professing Christianity. 2. They do not belong, nor are they applicable, to backsliders of any kind. 3. They belong to apostates from Christianity; to such as reject the whole Christian system, and its author, the Lord Jesus. 4. And to those of them only who join with the blaspheming Jews, call Christ an impostor, and ”
- 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 7:20: Let every man abide in the same calling - As both the circumcised and uncircumcised, in Christ, have the same advantages, and to their believing the same facilities; so any situation of life is equally friendly to the salvation of the soul, if a man be faithful to the grace he has received. Therefore, in all situations a Christian should be content, for all things work together for good to him who loves God.”
- John (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on John 5:6: Wilt thou be made whole? - Christ, by asking this question, designed to excite in this person faith, hope, and a greater desire of being healed. He wished him to reflect on his miserable state, that he might be the better prepared to receive a cure, and to value it when it came. Addresses of this kind are always proper from the preachers of the Gospel, that the hearts, as well of hardened as of desponding sinners, may be stirred up to desire and expect salvation. Do you wish to be healed? Do you know that you are under the power of a most inveterate and dangerous disea”