My wife is not Christian and is one of the nicest, most helpful, unselfish persons I have ever met. She once had a conversation in college with a steadfast Christian and he told her she would go to hell no matter what she did in life, as long as she refused to accept Jesus Christ. He went on to say Adolf Hitler (not kidding) would go to Heaven if he had a relationship with Jesus and repented his sins prior to death. Yeah, that sounds like a great religion. That being said, some of my closest friends are Christian and I dont even think about religion when befriending people. I look at their actions, not their words.
Seems like you are creating a straw man argument and attacking it. Are you suggesting that I made that statement about no one being able to question me, or are you suggesting that I or someone else believe that sentiment? Because that mentality would be cancerous regardless of what spectrum you are on. Concerning you writing a book and damning people to hell for not accepting it. Are you claiming that you wrote a book from God? If so, is that stated in your book multiple times? Are the people, places, and events in your book historically accurate? Finally, are there predictions in your book that are so specific and done so long in advance that when they come to pass their fulfillments confirm the divine origin of your message? I say all of that to say this: The Old and New Testament were written over the span of 1500 years by around forty different individuals. Almost all of them claim some form of divine origin (the word of The Lord, God spoke to so and so, etc). Additionally, the people, the places, and the events are historically accurate. Finally, there are predictions made hundreds of years in advance that their fulfillments point to a divine origin. If you would like specific examples I would be more than willing to share them or study with anyone privately. I believe I have demonstrated a strong criteria for us to determine if something comes from God or not. If it doesn't state that it comes from God then how would we know it's from Him? If the people, the places, and events are fabricated we can't trust it. If there aren't predictive prophecies and corresponding fulfillments, then it's just another book. However, the Bible passes the test on all three.
Paul killed many christians before Jesus got a hold of him and after jesus, he became one of the greatest diciples of the bible. You may think its sad but its true, grace, mercy, and forgiveness without it we are nothing. My mom before christ was a amazing woman also and did many great things and accepting Christ at 67 years old, without knowing him for that many years, she will tell you it was the best thing she ever did. Look i dont go around ramming the bible down peoples throat or hitting them over the head with it. But i'll never back down or dismiss what i believe and what the bible has done for me and my family. I dont judge because i dont want to be judged.
I guess I am headed to hell because I have not read the bible or attended church... Even though I believe in God and have been "good hearted" throughout my life. Alright then. If people like Hitler can kills millions of people and ask for forgiveness and be alright... I should be able to ask for forgiveness for not reading the bible... Right?
I don't really have any place in this fight, but this doesn't make much sense to me..? If you believe in the Christian God, why wouldn't you attend church and/or read the Bible that the God you believe in gave you to read?
2 Corinthians 7:8-10New International Version (NIV) 8 Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— 9 yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. 10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
Many are turned off by organized religion, one could certainly have issues with the catholic church based on recent history, among other churches and their issues.
Why did God come down to only a few...rock throwing Stone Age men ? If there is a god why not now? We are Better to understand in this age. There are billions of stars out there with there own Sun and possibly there own life why does man only think this is it.
Psalm 22- with many of the predictive/messianic prophecies there appears to be a duel fulfillment. In the immediate context and time when it was written and also a later fulfillment by Jesus. On the cross Jesus quotes, says the exact same words of Psalm 22:1 in Matt 27:46. The Scribes and chief priests mock Jesus in the same manner and fashion (Psalm 22:8, Matt 27:41-43). Jesus declares that He is thirsty (John 19:28)just as Psalm 22:15 describes. They cast lots for the clothing of the individual in Psalm 22, they cast lots for Jesus clothing (Mark 15:24, Psalm 22:18). Isaiah 53- depicts an individual man dying for the sins of the people. This would have been odd because the people sacrificed animals, not people for the atonement of sin. This is pointing to Christ dying for our sins. Jesus fulfills this some 700 years after it is written. Micah 5:2 states that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
Well the heaven/hell debate is a horse of another color from this original topic, but I feel I have to chime in on your statement. Sounds to me like you struggle with mainstream religion due to inconsistencies in teachings. If that is the case I agree with you. Pick any bible subject....you can find as many interpretations of it as there are churches...even in different churches of the same religion. I think that is extremely frustrating, because they can't possibly all be correct. I need things to be logical and make sense for me to believe it. I can assure you the answers are out there if you want to find them. As far as your statement....God does not condemn people to hell because they don't belong to a religion....he is a God of love, and a God of love would not do that. There is substantial proof of that, but I won't get into it on this thread as it would fill up it's own. I also don't want to open the can any wider on what the bible teaches on heaven & hell right now. I'd be happy to discuss with you privately if you want.
Sota its true that many people have turned from God/faith because of churches and there mistakes/examples. But the bible is truth and it shows you/tells you whats right and how to live. Not every church is the same trust me i know this because i been to a few different ones, but until i found the right one is where it all came together and made sense. If a church/preacher/pastor/priest etc.doesnt not teach, preach, live the word of God then ya better look for one that does.
I disagree...men in early history were closer to the perfect state of creation and likely much more able to comprehend God. Look at the world now...humans have degenerated so much, and there are so many outside influences to our thinking....makes it harder to take in "unadulterated milk belonging to the word." 1 Pet 2:2
I believe many who think they're going to heaven, will not. ... and I'm referring to church going, bible reading folks. The first will be last and the last will be first. Direction, not position is important IMHO. Are we though? I think people today need more "proof" than people of any other time. I mean, the moon landing is a hoax right? G.W. conspired the 911 attacks. Reality TV is how people really live. I think as a population we've lost touch with our ability to believe and follow the way people could 2000 years ago. I also think we in general give ourselves too much credit when comparing ourselves to ancient people. Take away something as simple as electricity and I think 50% of the population would die in 6 months.
I think the idea of "God of Gaps" is very true. People have a tendency to place "God" in the things that they do not understand or comprehend. It's easy and convenient. Each day we learn more about our world, this universe, everything, and with that, those gaps are becoming less and less. You can conclude from that whatever you want, but that is why we are losing about ability to believe as we once did.
You know Frenchy I am flattered that you dislike me, makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. My mission is done here for the day.
