Yup.
The term is somewhat esoteric. In the context of the OP, it means not believing in Jesus as ones' Lord and Savior. Yet, as you pointed out, most humans do believe in something, like Abraham believing in God.
Abraham being saved undermines the universal claims many have made here. And this is what makes this a fascinating topic; there is Scripture to support both sides.
Why do you suppose some cannot admit the evidence for the other side, e.g., the Abraham exception? (If there is an exception, then it is not universal. Simple logic.)
The problem therefore, is not logical but psychological. People tend to be uncomfortable with ambiguity. One poster said if there is any contradiction, throw the whole thing out. Ouch! Not too much intellectual flexibility there.
In physics, there is such a thing as orientation. Things happen at discreet quanta; there is no continuum. Either you are on one quanta of subatomic orbital or another. F=ma is true, but not on a continuum in
this context. Why is it inconceivable that such a dichotomy exists on the spiritual plane?
When the stakes are so high, eternal stakes, I prefer to be judged for having more grace than less for I believe that is the heart of the God we serve. Humans condemn if beyond
reasonable doubt. YHWH condemns when beyond
all doubt. This, I believe drives 1 Tim 4:10, which includes unbelievers, by definition.
Okay…agree.
Why does this non-believer, Abraham, get a pass while others don't - other than Scripture says so about him?
Non-believer Abraham?
Not so…Abraham Believed IN God.
Gen 15:6
Gal 3:6
Rom 4:3
James 2:23
Now if you are debating “IF” Abraham believed IN JESUS…
Again Abraham Believed IN…Gods Word…
BEFORE Gods Word “was revealed to be Called”…
JESUS
Son of God
Gods Word, FROM the Beginning of manKIND, came forth out of Gods Mouth, into the Ears of men God CHOSE to Hear His Word…with a TASK, a SERVICE unto God, such men AGREED, to Repeat Gods Word to “other men”, and per their agreement, DID SO repeat Gods Word to other men.
God has MULTIPLE names and titles by which He is Called…
Eh…so do men.
Gods WORD has MULTIPLE names and titles by which He is Called…
Eh…so do men.
Anciently…Gods WORD (that came forth out of Gods Mouth….was callled:
“The Angel of the LORD”…(who appeared in the LIKENESS AS a man.)
“A morning Star”… that was present watching the Earth being established. (Which is obviously BEFORE mankind was created)
“The King of Salem”…”High Priest of God”….whom Abraham met, and delivered to the King (Abraham’s war booty), and received a Blessing from the King.
“The BRIGHT Morning Star”…( expressly differentiated from “A” Morning Star that fell from goodness, righteousness, holiness.)
WHAT was Abraham’s BLESSING?
Gods promise FULFILLED…and continuing (per the people that are born generation after generation Becoming MADE INCLUDED IN Abraham’s Promise.)
Gods promise… Gen 12:1-3
“‘I will make you into a great nation,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.’”
AND…
Gal 3:
[14]
That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
[15] Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.
[16]
Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
Just because Scripture is silent about others does not support a negative conclusion that so many seem passionate to reach. (Again, see OP on the application of converse statements.)
Scripture is not silent, regarding Abraham, regarding those who BeCOME MADE ALIGNED with Abraham, Become MADE ALIGNED with the SAME SEED of God, which Abraham Received….
Gods SEED, IS CHRIST.
Gods POWER, IS CHRIST.
Abraham was BLESSED with Gods SEED and God POWER with Him and in Him.
And ANY MAN…who is OF the seed of Abraham IS ALSO Made Blessed with the SEED of God.
A man of Abrahams STOCK seed…meaning a blood descendent of Abraham…(who IS IN FAITH of God).
A man of Abrahams PROMISED seed…meaning a man receiving the SAME “seed of God…CHRIST”…is accounted to the SAME Promised LAND INHERITANCE, as Abraham, as a rightful Descendent of Abraham.
Jesus took upon himself the SEED of Abraham…thus entitled to occupy Abraham’s promised Land.
Faithful Stock Jews….are ONE group of Abrahams descendants.
Faithful Promised Gentiles….are ANOTHER group of Abrahams descendants.
Heb 2:
[16] For verily he (Jesus) took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
Gal 3:
[27] For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
[28] There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
[29] And
if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
If you have accepted Christ the Lord Jesus’ offering of Baptism of the Holy Spirit…
you have received the SEED of God Within you. (AKA…OSAS).
If you have received the SEED of God Within you….by Declaration of God…you have taken upon you…(agreed to), be …
* a “son of God”…entitled to His promise of eternal LIFE with God.
* a “son of Abraham”…entitled to occupy his promised land.
(Did you know…Christ Jesus shall have an earthly Kingdom…with mortal men in their kingdoms…and Christ’s Kingdom with those having been MADE immortal and occupying their Promised LAND inheritance?
FOR 1,000 years….VOID of the roaming and evil and wicked influence and cunning trickery of Satan and his band of fallen angels ?)
@APAK seemed to balk when I mentioned one kind of unbelievers, babies. If you find it convenient to categorize kinds of unbelievers, some good could come out of that. Still, the challenge of the OP is about the genus, the general or broad group.
Will unbelievers never be saved?
[/QUOTE]