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The concept of Unbeliever in Christianity

In Christianity, the term "Unbeliever" refers to individuals who do not accept or adhere to the Christian faith, often contrasted with believers. Different branches of Christianity, such as Protestantism and Catholicism, describe unbelievers as those who lack faith in God, may include atheists, and risk condemnation. The text highlights that unbelievers are often depicted as being outside the community of faith, facing challenges related to their rejection of divine teachings and the potential consequences in the afterlife.

Synonyms: Nonbeliever, Skeptic, Atheist, Agnostic, Heretic, Infidel, Disbeliever, Cynic

In Dutch: Ongelovige; In Finnish: ·¡±èä³Ü²õ°ì´Ç¾±²Ô±ð²Ô; In Spanish: No creyente; In German: ±«²Ô²µ±ôä³Ü²ú¾±²µ±ð°ù; In Malay: Tidak percaya; In Swedish: Otroende; In French: Incroyant

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Christian concept of 'Unbeliever'

Christianity Books

Significance in Early Christian church and writers:
Early Christianity Books

From: Ante-nicene Fathers

(1) This refers to individuals who do not share the same set of beliefs as a particular group or community, as indicated in the passage.[1] (2) These are individuals who do not accept or believe in the teachings or divine presence, and will witness a display of power.[2] (3) The same figure is revealed for the destruction and condemnation of the unbelievers, even as Amalek was defeated and Israel victorious.[3] (4) This term refers to those who do not accept a particular belief, and it indicates the presence of doubt or disbelief within the narrative.[4] (5) Those who do not have faith in the divine, and as a result, will face a greater damnation during the judgment day, due to their rejection of the divine teachings.[5]

Early Christianity (also known as Early Church) refers to the period starting roughly in the 6th century BC up until 325 A.D. during which year the first council of Nicaea was convened. Popular literature includes the writings by the early Church Fathers which forms the basis of later Christian theology.

Significance in Global Christian community:
Catholic Church Books

From: Summa Theologica (English translation)

(1) Work is honorable and a light to the unbeliever, and you must not covet that which belongs to another and much less beg or take anything.[6] (2) These are people who are not believers, but they are not excluded from participating in the sacrament, along with the catechumens.[7] (3) Unbelievers are discussed in the context of chastity, suggesting that they may not possess true virtue because their actions are not aligned with a faith-based end.[8] (4) Those who lack faith and will be condemned without a discussion of their merits, as they are considered foes.[9] (5) The term is used to describe someone who asserts that there is a good which is not from God, or that grace is given to men for their merits, and this is a form of the concept.[10]

From: The city of God

(1) Those who do not believe in God, both Jews and Gentiles, whom God concluded in unbelief so that they might turn to God's mercy.[11] (2) Unbelievers refer to those who do not believe in the Christian faith, and the servants of Christ are given a reply to what they may say when ills befall them.[12] (3) Unbelievers are those who do not accept the concept of the resurrection and are isolated by the mass of believers.[13]

The Catholic Church is a global Christian community with over a billion members, rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ. It is led by the Pope and emphasizes the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist. Catholicism is a denomination centered on the teachings thereof. It has a rich theological and cultural heritage.

Significance in Protestantism (Christian movement emphasizing faith and scripture):
Protestantism Books

From: The Second Helvetic Confession

(1) These are those who come to the Lord's Table without faith and only participate in the sacrament without receiving its substance or the promise of salvation.[14] (2) These are individuals who are not faithful, and the text states that they are immediately cast into hell after their bodily death, with no possibility of escape.[15] (3) A person who has disowned the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever if they do not provide for their relatives, as stated by the apostle.[16]

From: The Existence and Attributes of God

(1) Individuals who reject belief in God, encompassing both atheists and those who do not adhere to any particular religion.[17]

Protestantism (or simply the protestant church) is a major branch of Christianity originating from the Reformation in the 16th century, led by figures like Martin Luther. It emphasizes salvation by faith alone and the Bible as the ultimate authority. Variants of Protestantism include Lutheranism, Calvinism, Anglicanism, Methodism and Presbyterianism, each with unique practices but generally united by these core principles.

Significance in Christianity (general):

From: A Dictionary of the Bible (Hastings)

(1) The term is used by St. Paul to describe the privileges of the Christian as opposed to this person, aiming to bring home to Gentile readers the great change wrought by the coming of Christ, with the use of the word 'adoption'.[18] (2) The only exception to the tradition was a sect of unbelievers, called Alogi by Epiphanius, who attributed the Gospel and the Apocalypse to Cerinthus.[19]

From: Expositions of Holy Scripture

(1) This term describes a group of people, and the text states that on the small scale we see this melancholy perversity of conduct exemplified in every little coterie and school of unbelievers.[20]

From: The Complete Sayings of Jesus

(1) This refers to those who do not share certain beliefs, or do not accept a particular faith or set of principles and ideas.[21]

Plural form: Unbelievers.