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==Heathen in the Bible==  

==Heathen in the Bible==  

The term ''heathen,'' as used in the Bible, broadly refers to non-Israelitish people, otherwise called''Gentiles'', or ''pagans''. According to most evangelical Christian soteriology (doctrine of ([[salvation]]), man will be judged in accordance to how he responded to the basic innate moral light which God has given him, through the light of conscience and outward creation, as well as by the Scriptures.<ref>Dr. John Gill (1690-1771), ''Exposition of the Entire Bible'', Romans 2</ref><ref>B. W. Johnson, ''The People's New Testament'' (1891), Romans 2:1-16</ref> The latter is held to be the comprehensive revelation, and is the objective and immutable authority by which the truthfulness of any light of conscience is determined.(Ps. 19; Romans 1-3) While heathens who truly obey valid truth which is given them are held as superior to those who walk in disobedience to the Scriptures,<ref>Albert Barnes (1798-1870) ''Notes on the Bible'', Acts 10:35</ref> it is indicated that those who obey the former will be given the light of the gospel, by which they may be saved. (Romans 2; Acts 10; 11:14,18)

The term ''heathen,'' as used in the Bible, broadly refers to non-Israelitish people, otherwise called ''Gentiles'', or ''pagans''. According to most evangelical Christian soteriology (doctrine of ([[salvation]]), man will be judged in accordance to how he responded to the basic innate moral light which God has given him, through the light of conscience and outward creation, as well as by the Scriptures.<ref>Dr. John Gill (1690-1771), ''Exposition of the Entire Bible'', Romans 2</ref><ref>B. W. Johnson, ''The People's New Testament'' (1891), Romans 2:1-16</ref> The latter is held to be the comprehensive revelation, and is the objective and immutable authority by which the truthfulness of any light of conscience is determined.(Ps. 19; Romans 1-3) While heathens who truly obey valid truth which is given them are held as superior to those who walk in disobedience to the Scriptures,<ref>Albert Barnes (1798-1870) ''Notes on the Bible'', Acts 10:35</ref> it is indicated that those who obey the former will be given the light of the gospel, by which they may be saved. (Romans 2; Acts 10; 11:14,18)

In the [[Old Testament]] the Gentiles were far less sharply differentiated from the Israelites than the later times of the [[New Testament]], though in the church no distinction was to be made as regards equality. (Acts 10; Gal. 2:28) While the Hebrews were chosen of God to be the nation through whom He would reveal Himself, it was made clear that this [[election]] was not due to an intrinsic superiority of their own. (Dt. 7) It was further manifest that the basis for the Divine judgment upon certain heathen nations was due to their immorality, which flowed from their love for and allegiance to false gods ([[idolatry]]). In managing the cultural institution of [[slavery]], Old Testament regulations also made a distinction between Hebrew slaves and those of foreigners, with the former being as hired servants, and offered freedom (except female engaged to be married), with a generous form of "severance pay", while the latter became a family inheritance (unless they escaped, or suffered certain injuries by the hand of their owner). However, even foreigners could purchase Hebrew slaves. ''For further information, see:'' [[slavery]]   

In the [[Old Testament]] the Gentiles were far less sharply differentiated from the Israelites than the later times of the [[New Testament]], though in the church no distinction was to be made as regards equality. (Acts 10; Gal. 2:28) While the Hebrews were chosen of God to be the nation through whom He would reveal Himself, it was made clear that this [[election]] was not due to an intrinsic superiority of their own. (Dt. 7) It was further manifest that the basis for the Divine judgment upon certain heathen nations was due to their immorality, which flowed from their love for and allegiance to false gods ([[idolatry]]). In managing the cultural institution of [[slavery]], Old Testament regulations also made a distinction between Hebrew slaves and those of foreigners, with the former being as hired servants, and offered freedom (except female engaged to be married), with a generous form of "severance pay", while the latter became a family inheritance (unless they escaped, or suffered certain injuries by the hand of their owner). However, even foreigners could purchase Hebrew slaves. ''For further information, see:'' [[slavery]]