If it is a sin to have other gods above God, then how does He feel about countries where everyone has a religion different from Christianity?

The question of how the Christian God views nations that predominantly follow other religions touches on fundamental theological issues of divine sovereignty, religious pluralism, and the nature of salvation. This exploration requires careful consideration of various biblical texts and theological traditions while maintaining respect for different faith traditions.

Biblical Foundation

The first commandment, "You shall have no other gods before me" (Exodus 20:3), exists within a specific historical and covenantal context. It was given to Israel as part of their unique covenant relationship with God, not as a universal legal code for all nations. Understanding this context helps frame how Christian theology approaches religious diversity.

Throughout the Old Testament, we see God interacting with non-Israelite nations in various ways. The prophet Amos declares that God led other nations just as He led Israel: "Did I not bring Israel up from Egypt, and the Philistines from Caphtor and the Arameans from Kir?" (Amos 9:7). This suggests divine involvement with all peoples, not just those who explicitly acknowledge Him.

Different Theological Approaches

Christian theology has developed several frameworks for understanding God's relationship with other religions:

Exclusivist Position
Some theologians maintain that salvation comes only through explicit faith in Christ, citing verses like John 14:6: "No one comes to the Father except through me." From this perspective, other religions, while perhaps containing partial truths, ultimately fall short of saving knowledge of God.

However, even within this view, many theologians recognize God's universal love and desire for all people's salvation (1 Timothy 2:4). They often emphasize that God judges people based on their response to the light they have received, not necessarily their explicit religious affiliation.

Inclusivist Position
Some Christian thinkers propose that while Christ is the unique source of salvation, God's grace might work through other religious traditions. They point to biblical figures like Melchizedek, a non-Israelite priest whom Abraham honored, and the Magi who followed a star to find Jesus.

This view suggests that God may work through various cultural and religious contexts while maintaining Christ as the ultimate source of salvation. It acknowledges that people might be responding to God's grace through the religious traditions available to them.

Divine Providence and Historical Context

Christian theology traditionally maintains that God sovereignly oversees human history, including the development of different cultures and religions. This raises several important considerations:

1. Historical Development
   The global distribution of religions often reflects historical circumstances rather than individual choice. Most people inherit their religious traditions from their cultural context.
2. Limited Access
   Throughout history, many people have lived and died without encountering the Christian message. A theological framework must account for this reality while maintaining God's justice and love.
3. Cultural Expression
   Different religions might represent various human attempts to respond to divine reality within specific cultural contexts. While Christian theology maintains that Christ offers the fullest revelation of God, it can acknowledge genuine spiritual insights in other traditions.

God's Universal Love

Christian scripture consistently affirms God's universal love for humanity. Key texts include:

• Acts 17:26-27: God determined the times and places people would live "so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him."
• Romans 2:14-15: Paul suggests that people without the law can still follow their conscience, which reflects God's moral law.
• Malachi 1:11: "From the rising of the sun to its setting my name is great among the nations."

These passages suggest that God actively works among all peoples, not just those who explicitly acknowledge Him.

Practical Implications

This theological question has important practical implications:

1. Missionary Approach
   Understanding God's universal love should inform how Christians approach interfaith dialogue and missionary work. It suggests an attitude of humble engagement rather than cultural imperialism.
2. Respect and Dignity
   Recognizing God's sovereign work among all peoples calls for treating people of other faiths with respect and dignity, even while maintaining one's own convictions.
3. Cultural Sensitivity
   Appreciation for God's work in different cultures can help Christians distinguish between essential gospel truth and cultural expressions of faith.

Modern Context

In our increasingly interconnected world, this question becomes ever more relevant. Global migration and communication mean that different religious traditions increasingly interact and influence each other.

This reality calls for:

• Thoughtful engagement with religious diversity
• Recognition of common human spiritual yearnings
• Maintaining conviction while showing respect
• Understanding how God might work through different cultural contexts

Conclusion

Christian theology can affirm both God's unique revelation in Christ and His universal love for all peoples. Rather than seeing God as angry at nations practicing other religions, a more nuanced view recognizes His sovereign work throughout human history and cultures.

This understanding suggests that God's primary concern isn't with geographical or cultural religious distribution but with individual hearts and responses to whatever light people have received. It allows for maintaining Christian theological distinctives while acknowledging God's broader work in human history and culture.

This perspective can help Christians engage with religious diversity in ways that combine faithful witness with genuine respect and love for all people, recognizing that God's ways of working with humanity may be broader than our theological categories sometimes allow.