04 Feb 09
Is it really important what a person believes as much as who they are ? Let's say you were a very good, honest, hard working father that happened to be a Hindhu, and you were killed, and arrived at the Pearly Gates.. According to most Christian thought I've heard he would be told sorry, but Hell will be the final reward for not becoming Christian. This would have to turn off most sane individuals. This type of thinking makes me run from Christianity. I sure don't have all the answers as to the specifics on eternity but this must be wrong or I don't understand what wrong is.
04 Feb 09
Originally posted by buckkyMany Christians I have talked to would disagree with you. I have even asked an Anglican priest that question and he told the parable of the sheep and the goats and said he believed that how you lived mattered more than what you believed.
Is it really important what a person believes as much as who they are ? Let's say you were a very good, honest, hard working father that happened to be a Hindhu, and you were killed, and arrived at the Pearly Gates.. According to most Christian thought I've heard he would be told sorry, but Hell will be the final reward for not becoming Christian. This would ...[text shortened]... as to the specifics on eternity but this must be wrong or I don't understand what wrong is.
04 Feb 09
2 edits
Originally posted by twhitehead…he believed that how you lived mattered more than what you believed….
Many Christians I have talked to would disagree with you. I have even asked an Anglican priest that question and he told the parable of the sheep and the goats and said he believed that how you lived mattered more than what you believed.
-although, unfortunately, the exact opposite view appears to be expressed by just a few Christians in these forums. They have expressed/implied the opinion that I will burn in hell for not believing that there is a god ( specifically, the Christian god of course! 😛 ) and that Christian religion is the only “true” religion thus implying that the same goes if you are a non-Christian theist.
-I assume that this is only a tiny minority Christian view because most of them that I have known in real life don’t have any where near such extreme beliefs but I could be wrong.
04 Feb 09
Originally posted by buckkyYou don't understand what is going on. First, yes, Jesus is the only way to salvation. Everybody who hears the word of God and His requirements to enter into the Kingdom of God and obeys God's laws and worships Him through His son Jesus Christ will inherit Heaven. Those who hear the word of God and do not accept the gift of life, through faith in Jesus Christ, willfully rejects God's gift of life and choose to be separated from God for eternity...in the bowels of hell with Satan. Now, there are millions of people who have NEVER or NEVER will hear the words of Jesus who will die. These people will NOT automatically be forsaken by God. They will be given the chance to accept or reject God by denying His son, Jesus. Even after 1,000 years without Satan, there will be people who still reject Christ. This is the second and final judgement...all mankind will have had a chance, either in this life or the life to come, to either accept or reject Christ.
Is it really important what a person believes as much as who they are ? Let's say you were a very good, honest, hard working father that happened to be a Hindhu, and you were killed, and arrived at the Pearly Gates.. According to most Christian thought I've heard he would be told sorry, but Hell will be the final reward for not becoming Christian. This would ...[text shortened]... as to the specifics on eternity but this must be wrong or I don't understand what wrong is.
04 Feb 09
1 edit
Originally posted by dystoniacMind explaining this further?
... Now, there are millions of people who have NEVER or NEVER will hear the words of Jesus who will die. These people will NOT automatically be forsaken by God. They will be given the chance to accept or reject God by denying His son, Jesus.
How will the dead people be given a chance to accept or reject God ...
04 Feb 09
Originally posted by twhiteheadYour Anglican Priest friend is wrong, and if he doesn't know it, he is also ignorant and is preaching lies to people who take his word for granted. The Bible clearly states that works without faith is completely useless in trying to enter the Kingdom of God. Yes, how one lives does matter to an extent; one must aspire to live as Jesus did-that is a true Christian; however, one must become as a child and believe and trusat the Lord in order to receive eternal life.
Many Christians I have talked to would disagree with you. I have even asked an Anglican priest that question and he told the parable of the sheep and the goats and said he believed that how you lived mattered more than what you believed.
04 Feb 09
Originally posted by Rajk999After Jesus returns to earth all people living, as well as all people who died since the beginning of man, will be judged. The dead, both saved and unsaved, shall arise from their graves (or wherever they may be) and face judgement. Those who accepted Jesus as Lord will inherit eternal life; those who died in their sins will be cast into hell and suffer eternally. Those who were ignorant of Jesus will be given the chance to accept or reject Christ. I don't know how this will take place, but it is the only logical means to judge people who were alive before Christ and those who never heard of him. There will be 1000 years without satan, then the second judgement which will include these latter folks. Sadly, even then, many people will still reject Jesus. The second judgement is the final judgement-afterward, Satan and all his followers will be cast into the lake of fire for all eternity. Jesus will reign in the universe. No more death, disease, wars, hatred; all of the maladies of man will no longer exist.
Mind explaining this further?
How will the dead people be given a chance to accept or reject God ...
04 Feb 09
Originally posted by dystoniacThe dead and ignorant of Christ will be raised ?
... Those who were ignorant of Jesus will be given the chance to accept or reject Christ. I don't know how this will take place, but it is the only logical means to judge people who were alive before Christ and those who never heard of him. ....
I will be interested in biblical support for this view, because its contrary to passages which claim that there are some who will remain dead and never be raised. You seem to think that ALL people will be raised, good, bad and indifferent.
05 Feb 09
Originally posted by dystoniacHow ugly How hidious. How evil. That's the Christian doctrine for you. Down right ugly.
You don't understand what is going on. First, yes, Jesus is the only way to salvation. Everybody who hears the word of God and His requirements to enter into the Kingdom of God and obeys God's laws and worships Him through His son Jesus Christ will inherit Heaven. Those who hear the word of God and do not accept the gift of life, through faith in Jesus ...[text shortened]... ave had a chance, either in this life or the life to come, to either accept or reject Christ.
05 Feb 09
Originally posted by dystoniacDo you not realize how nut's that is ? How wrong headed it is ? How down right evil it is ? Others will rot in Hell because of not becoming a Christian is as wrong as anything out there. Maybe on some distant planet where people think completely different than the way I think that might make sense. Here on earth it makes no sense, and is totally evil. It seems to not be of God. I always thought God was a good guy, not some beast as you paint him. It's amazing that Christianity ever got off the ground.
Your Anglican Priest friend is wrong, and if he doesn't know it, he is also ignorant and is preaching lies to people who take his word for granted. The Bible clearly states that works without faith is completely useless in trying to enter the Kingdom of God. Yes, how one lives does matter to an extent; one must aspire to live as Jesus did-that is a true ...[text shortened]... r, one must become as a child and believe and trusat the Lord in order to receive eternal life.
05 Feb 09
Originally posted by dystoniacIn my experience the Bible never states anything clearly that it doesn't contract somewhere else.
The Bible clearly states that works without faith is completely useless in trying to enter the Kingdom of God.
Unless I am mistaken the parable of the sheep and the goats was a direct response by Jesus to the question 'who will go to heaven and why'. There is no mention of faith in the parable unless possibly for those who end up in hell.
05 Feb 09
Originally posted by dystoniacI have never got a satisfactory answer from anyone who believes as you do regarding:
Those who hear the word of God and do not accept the gift of life, through faith in Jesus Christ, willfully rejects God's gift of life and choose to be separated from God for eternity...in the bowels of hell with Satan.
1. Whether hearing but not understanding or believing the word of God constitutes the hearing you are referring to.
2. Why you think I would knowingly reject God's gift.
3. Whether or not someone can truly be said to be choosing when he does not believe one of the options is available.
4. How any of your claim is compatible with the concept of a just and loving God.
05 Feb 09
Originally posted by buckkyWell, fly a rocket to this planet you talk about if you don't like the truth. Nobody said you had to like it; you just have to decide where you will spend eternity.
Do you not realize how nut's that is ? How wrong headed it is ? How down right evil it is ? Others will rot in Hell because of not becoming a Christian is as wrong as anything out there. Maybe on some distant planet where people think completely different than the way I think that might make sense. Here on earth it makes no sense, and is totally evil. It seem ...[text shortened]... guy, not some beast as you paint him. It's amazing that Christianity ever got off the ground.
05 Feb 09
Originally posted by twhiteheadAnswers to you questions can be found in the Bible. I challenge you to find them.
I have never got a satisfactory answer from anyone who believes as you do regarding:
1. Whether hearing but not understanding or believing the word of God constitutes the hearing you are referring to.
2. Why you think I would knowingly reject God's gift.
3. Whether or not someone can truly be said to be choosing when he does not believe one of the opti ...[text shortened]... s available.
4. How any of your claim is compatible with the concept of a just and loving God.