Even Aristotle, who did not have the benefit of the Gift of Revelation, had a profound understanding of God and His attributes. Read his Metaphysics.
Imagine what it was like when Aristotle met Jesus Christ. Do you think he was not given a choice to accept Him as his Lord and Redeemer? I’m thinking that he might have heard words like, “well done, good and faithful servant.”
We don’t know what Stephen Hawking’s final relationship with Jesus Christ was, but that should not prevent us from praying for him, with the words of Jesus Christ, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”
“[23] And turning to his disciples, he said: Blessed are the eyes that see the things which you see. [24] For I say to you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see the things that you see, and have not seen them; and to hear the things that you hear, and have not heard them.” Luke 10:23-4
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“Stephen Hawking was a high priest of Scientism, which is fake science squared.”
Well said. There are a few people on this thread who mistakenly think they have a direct pipeline to the Almighty's decision process.