Open-minded agnostic seeker

Rational Inquirer said:

As an agnostic who strives to keep an open mind, the aspect of Christian doctrine that disturbs me the most, and seems like it would prevent me from ever accepting Christianity, is the teaching that non-Christians go to hell. It doesn't make sense to me that if you don't happen to pick the right religion, you get tortured forever and ever. Do a billion people in India deserve eternal suffering simply because they were born in a non-Christian society? Am I looking at this the wrong way? How can I reconcile this teaching with the Christian conception of a loving and just God?

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What you describe is a view, an idea, that some Christians old; but it is by no means what all, or even most, Christians believe.

It may not seem like it, but in truth there is no definitive Christian position on the issue or even the nature of hell. If one looks at, for example, the central Christian confessions of the historic Church there is no mention of Hell at all--it's simply not one of the issues the Church ever came together to establish a firm, "This is what we, together, believe about this". And in the writings of Christians over the last two thousand years one will discover a multitude of different ideas--and I don't mean the difference between orthodox leaders vs heretics; I mean orthodox Christians with many different and diverse ideas.

So it's important to understand that the issue of hell or "hell" is a very complex one, and there isn't any sort of monolithic teaching which Christians have come together to agree upon in the way that we have articulated agreement on the Trinity or the Incarnation.

Now there are churches, denominations, which have more dogmatic positions; but from a broad perspective on Christianity there really isn't a dogmatic position.

-CryptoLutheran

Rational Inquirer said:

As an agnostic who strives to keep an open mind, the aspect of Christian doctrine that disturbs me the most, and seems like it would prevent me from ever accepting Christianity, is the teaching that non-Christians go to hell. It doesn't make sense to me that if you don't happen to pick the right religion, you get tortured forever and ever. Do a billion people in India deserve eternal suffering simply because they were born in a non-Christian society? Am I looking at this the wrong way? How can I reconcile this teaching with the Christian conception of a loving and just God?

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Hi,

I got stuck in a Bible class one day. I was with a friend. That day, and I don't know where it's at anymore, but the words are very clear to me. No one goes to Hell, just because they don't know Jesus or God. It takes other things than that.

LOVE,
...Mary Katerina., .... .

Hi,

I may have it wrong, but

13 Now, brothers, we want you to know the truth about those who have died; otherwise, you might become sad the way other people 14 do who have nothing to hope for. For since we believe that Yeshua died and rose again, we also believe that in the same way God, through Yeshua, will take with him those who have died. 15 When we say this, we base it on the Lord’s own word: we who remain alive when the Lord comes will certainly not take precedence over those who have died. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a rousing cry, with a call from one of the ruling angels, and with God’s shofar; those who died united with the Messiah will be the first to rise; 17 then we who are left still alive will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and thus we will always be with the Lord. 18 So encourage each other with these words.

1 Thessalonians 4

LOVE,

You've heard from some Liberal Christians here, and not surprisingly, you've liked their answers; however, claiming that Christ was unclear regarding what Hell is or how long it lasts is an utter denial of the plain truth of scripture. It's ignoring and twisting the parts that you don't like.

I suggest that you look to the biblical text if you want an answer on Christian doctrine.

Here are Jesus words. Tell me if they are as vague as some here would lead you to believe.

Jesus speaks on Hell and Destruction in Forty Six versus in the Bible.

Matthew 5:22
22But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.

Matthew 5:29-30

[27“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery;’ 28but I tell you that everyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart. – editor]

29If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

30And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

Matthew 7:13,19
13“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are manywho go in by it. …

19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

Matthew 8:12
12But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Matthew 10:28
28And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Matthew 13:30
30Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.”

Matthew 13:40
40Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age.

Matthew 13:42
42and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 13:49-50
49So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, 50and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”

Matthew 18:8
8“If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire.

Matthew 18:9
9And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.

Matthew 22:13

13Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 24:51
51and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 25:30
30And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 25:41
41“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:

Matthew 25:46
46And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Mark 3:29
29but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation

Mark 9:43-48
43If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched

44Where “their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.”

45And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched

46Where “their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.”

47And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire

48Where “their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.”

Luke 3:17
17His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire.”

Luke 12:5
5But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!

Luke 12:46-48
46the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

47And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

48But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.

John 5:29
29and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.

John 15:6
6If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.

* * *

Revelation 21:7-8

He who overcomes, I will give him these things. I will be his God, and he will be my son. But for the cowardly, unbelieving, sinners, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their part is in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

Rational Inquirer said:

As an agnostic who strives to keep an open mind, the aspect of Christian doctrine that disturbs me the most, and seems like it would prevent me from ever accepting Christianity, is the teaching that non-Christians go to hell. It doesn't make sense to me that if you don't happen to pick the right religion, you get tortured forever and ever. Do a billion people in India deserve eternal suffering simply because they were born in a non-Christian society? Am I looking at this the wrong way? How can I reconcile this teaching with the Christian conception of a loving and just God?

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At the root of your question is one of fairness and justice, is that correct? Many people feel that way. I've seen that the reason that they do is they don't understand the holiness of God nor the sinfulness of man. At the start of the book of Romans, Paul gives a summary of our condition. I think it would be helpful in answering your question. ***You should always expect a biblical answer to your questions about Christian doctrine, BTW.

18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.

24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.

28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done.29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

Hi,

One thing I never noticed, is that God who can destroy both body and soul in Hell, has chosen so far to not destroy both those parts in Hell, but merely put them there. Later it seems, he will cast all those in Hell, into the Lake of Fire.

Notice also, He who can destroy both body, and, soul, in Hell does not do that to Satan, rather He locked him in a pit, if I recall, and later after being let out for a brief time, he will be cast into The Lake of Fire.

Also, notice I think it says that Jesus went down to talk to the spririts of the dead, the ones that were alive at the time of Noah, when He died, an earthly death.

I wonder if lots of people feel, they know what God will do Biblically, if they agree, that God so far has actually not said that He has destroyed anyone both body and soul yet?

LOVE,

Rational Inquirer said:

As an agnostic who strives to keep an open mind,

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Any of us can try to have an open mind, but how we are open can be related to our motives. Satan was in Heaven itself, but Heaven wasn't good enough for him, because he wanted things his own way. So, any of us can limit our own selves because of our motives and what our motives have us wanting to believe is true.

Rational Inquirer said:

the teaching that non-Christians go to hell. It doesn't make sense to me that if you don't happen to pick the right religion, you get tortured forever and ever.

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If you have been taught the hell is for torturing people, I do not think this is the main purpose for hell, though torment can be included. Hell, I find, is very practical > God is more practical than we are. It could be like how a time can come when you decide your most beloved doggie needs to be put down. Satan was in Heaven itself, but he was so conceited that even Heaven itself was not good enough for him; so he was tormented in Heaven! There are people who do not want to be where there is love and gentleness and no arguing and not complaining, but only honoring and enjoying God while tenderly loving any and all people. So, it this is not acceptable to certain people, Rational Inquirer . . . you might have seen how tormented little children can become when they are not satisfied to have a nice family gathering, but without those little children being spoiled the way they demand. So, there might be ones who would be more tormented in Heaven, than in Hell.

Rational Inquirer said:

Am I looking at this the wrong way? How can I reconcile this teaching with the Christian conception of a loving and just God?

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I can think of a few ways people see hell >
(1) Hell is only in this life; people can have heaven, here, by loving, or they can suffer a life of hell because of living selfishly.

(2) Hell is used as a threat by humans to control people > do what we say, believe what we say; or you will go to hell.

(3) You earn Heaven, by living the best you can; or if you don't try to live right, you get hell. God knows your heart, if you care or not, but He is waiting to see if you try to live a good life; you're on your own, and God is keeping records.

(4) You must get saved by Jesus; or else, no matter how nice you are and no matter how hard you try to live a good life, you will go to hell. And it is your choice, where you will spend eternity.

(5) You choose Jesus or automatically you have chosen hell, no matter how much you suffer in this life > you can't pay God off, by suffering or by punishing your own self. Jesus suffered and died like He did so you won't go to hell; so if you refuse Jesus and all He suffered for you and how He died for you on the cross, you deserve hell.

(6) Hell is a consequence of not choosing Jesus; it is not only meant for torture, but it is partly meant to be a punishment; but it is a result, and certainly not meant to be a threat, because God wants us to freely choose to love Him; so fear of hell can not make us loving the way we need to become. But if God is not good enough for us, in our view of Him, there will be no "second-best" blessing available, but only hell is the other possibility; because God wants His children to have His very own best, and no less.

(7) Along with # (6), hell is practical. God is in control; people boast how they suppose they can control things with their own choices. This is not humble, and can bring quite the tumbles and jumbles people do get themselves into, in their own self-willing ability. And people will reap so much more than what they have sown in their own ego-choosing >

"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life." (Galatians 6:7-8)

So, if someone is sowing in one's own ego, depending on his or her own ability to think and choose, the person has a run-in with real troubles, and with imagined problems, so that the person suffers various torments of worry and loneliness and unforgiveness and the failure of selfish pleasures to make him or her feel better. And then, when the person dies, he or she reaps so much more of this torment, since he or she is not longer in a nice body for feeling pleasures > after death, the self-seeking, self-depending person now has only one's deep spiritual condition with its torment. And such ones have been so stubborn and unreasonable, that they have . . . or would have . . . refused Jesus and how in obeying Him we have "rest for your souls" (in Matthew 11:28-30). And so in their death they reap so much more of torment, instead of having deep and soul-refreshing rest with God. Because they were so stubborn, to depend on and boast themselves and what they want. And only fire can control Satan, because he is so conceited and stubborn, like his children. So, the fire is indeed for being practical, to control Satan and his people who will not listen to and obey God. However, the torment also is because the selfish nature has the ability to be tormented . . . in hell or in Heaven . . . while God's children have the nature to be warmed by the same fire >

"For our God is a consuming fire." (Hebrews 12:29)

These seven ideas are pretty much what I have found people to think. I am sure there could be more and we always can learn more.

Rational Inquirer said:

As an agnostic who strives to keep an open mind, the aspect of Christian doctrine that disturbs me the most, and seems like it would prevent me from ever accepting Christianity, is the teaching that non-Christians go to hell.

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The doctrine of Hell can really make "sense" only to God in light of His absolute holiness. Hell (the Lake of Fire) was created for the devil and his angels. God does not desire that any person go to Hell. That is why He has commanded the Church to preach the Gospel to every creature. In the day that we live in there is hardly anyone human being who has not heard of Christ, seen a church, or seen a cross. If people will not repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ they can never be fit to enter Heaven. Therefore they are consigned to Hell.

Rational Inquirer said:

As an agnostic who strives to keep an open mind, the aspect of Christian doctrine that disturbs me the most, and seems like it would prevent me from ever accepting Christianity, is the teaching that non-Christians go to hell. It doesn't make sense to me that if you don't happen to pick the right religion, you get tortured forever and ever. Do a billion people in India deserve eternal suffering simply because they were born in a non-Christian society? Am I looking at this the wrong way? How can I reconcile this teaching with the Christian conception of a loving and just God?

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Hi Rational Inquirer,
I can see why you would be concerned. What about Christianity (Jesus) do you accept?

Rational Inquirer said:

As an agnostic who strives to keep an open mind, the aspect of Christian doctrine that disturbs me the most, and seems like it would prevent me from ever accepting Christianity, is the teaching that non-Christians go to hell. It doesn't make sense to me that if you don't happen to pick the right religion, you get tortured forever and ever. Do a billion people in India deserve eternal suffering simply because they were born in a non-Christian society? Am I looking at this the wrong way? How can I reconcile this teaching with the Christian conception of a loving and just God?

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2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

People who reject the truth put themselves on the path to hell but that is not what God wants. He loves us ALL and wants us all to come to Him. That is why God is sending His servants all over the world to reach out to the lost (and may be one of the reasons why God is allowing this Muslims invasion of the West - sending them over here to us Christians because we cant go to them)

John
3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Rational Inquirer said:

"there is hardly anyone human being who has not heard of Christ" I disagree. There are tons of people around the world in non-Christian countries who know nothing about Christianity. There are even tribal peoples who have literally never even heard of Jesus. And even among those who have, how are they to know that that is the true religion, the one they should choose if they are to go to heaven? It certainly isn't obvious to me; why should it be obvious to someone taught their whole life to believe in a different religion?

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Before Jesus comes back the whole world, even the lost far flung tribals will have heard of Him. This evangelism will accelerate during the seven year Tribulation period

Rational Inquirer said:

No one here has answered my real question: how is it fair that only the people who happen to choose the right religion (by luck, as far as I can tell) get to go to heaven?

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I wouldn't view that situation as fair--and I don't think that God would, either. I think that belonging to a religion can be a good/fine thing, yes; but I don't think that God worries about the particular religious label that one wears. What is in one's heart/mind--and how it's expressed outwardly to others--is what matters, IMO.

thatbrian said:

You've heard from some Liberal Christians here, and not surprisingly, you've liked their answers; however, claiming that Christ was unclear regarding what Hell is or how long it lasts is an utter denial of the plain truth of scripture. It's ignoring and twisting the parts that you don't like.

I suggest that you look to the biblical text if you want an answer on Christian doctrine.

Here are Jesus words. Tell me if they are as vague as some here would lead you to believe.

Jesus speaks on Hell and Destruction in Forty Six versus in the Bible.

Matthew 5:22
22But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.

Matthew 5:29-30

[27“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery;’ 28but I tell you that everyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart. – editor]

29If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

30And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

Matthew 7:13,19
13“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are manywho go in by it. …

19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

Matthew 8:12
12But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Matthew 10:28
28And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Matthew 13:30
30Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.”

Matthew 13:40
40Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age.

Matthew 13:42
42and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 13:49-50
49So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, 50and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”

Matthew 18:8
8“If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire.

Matthew 18:9
9And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.

Matthew 22:13

13Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 24:51
51and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 25:30
30And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 25:41
41“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:

Matthew 25:46
46And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Mark 3:29
29but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation

Mark 9:43-48
43If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched

44Where “their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.”

45And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched

46Where “their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.”

47And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire

48Where “their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.”

Luke 3:17
17His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire.”

Luke 12:5
5But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!

Luke 12:46-48
46the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

47And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

48But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.

John 5:29
29and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.

John 15:6
6If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.

* * *

Revelation 21:7-8

He who overcomes, I will give him these things. I will be his God, and he will be my son. But for the cowardly, unbelieving, sinners, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their part is in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

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You know I sit here trying to find the words to write a response for this. I agree with you. I have no room for "feel-good" christians (and I put them in lowercase) but you haven't even answered what hell is or how long it lasts. I have little room for "fire and brimstone" christians who think they can scare people straight either. The truth is good enough. The truth is God. God softens the hearts of those he has chosen and the word will rest on their hearts. Hell is a place that's absent of God, Darkness and no good thing. It may not sound bad but if you think about every bad thing that's been done magnified a thousand fold all at once until the day of judgement and then Hell's thrown into the Lake of fire and those in Hell are wiped out, the second death where your soul is killed, that's after you stand before our Lord which to them will be terrible. That will NOT be a good thing. Jesus didn't go into detail because he focused on saving people and not scaring. Love and not worry. He wanted people to know the truth but not bully them by saying "Worship me or else". I'm not Liberal by far, I tell people straight and unfortunately I have to tone things down in a public forum but I do have to be Switzerland also and remain neutral. I'm not Liberal or Radical, Bible thumping or feel-good, close your eyes to everything. We have to remember that a real Christian doesn't have a label when they do it right.

Christians who reject eternal torment are not liberal Christians! Read the book 'The Fire That Consumes' by Edward William Fudge...pretty far from a liberal 'Feel good' argument!!

Rational Inquirer said:

No one here has answered my real question: how is it fair that only the people who happen to choose the right religion (by luck, as far as I can tell) get to go to heaven?

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Like I've put before the best way to say it is Luke 14:7-14 and it's not Luck at all. God will soften the hearts of the ones chosen. The Bible tells us that all will hear the good news and be able to decide. We are very intelligent creatures and can tell what's right if we really want to . Most of the time we just don't want to see what's right in front of our face. It took me a really, really long time of research and speculation to finally see the truth and no man convinced me I pray no man convinces you either but let your heart and mind be open and truly LOOK.