On atheists and Hell...

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Sylvanspirits

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So what do you think of Jesus hanging out with the tax collectors and the prostitutes? You must think quite lowly of Him based on that sentence.
Ah, yes, the mythical Emergent Church movement Jesus.

The Jesus described in these passages is mythical?

And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him. And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. - Matthew 9:9-13

Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. And he spake this parable unto them, saying, What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbors together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. - Luke 15:1-10

And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. - Luke 19:1-7
 
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TheBear

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Oh, hell is one of the last things I talk about with atheists generally. I'd rather bring people by talking about the love that God has for his people, not by scaring them into not wanting to go to Hell.

These days, I haven't done much witnessing to many atheists. I was too busy doing other things. I just hope that my presence here isn't taken as me trying to get y'all to believe - I hope my presence here can brighten at least a couple of people's days, whether you are Christian or not...

I've heard great things about you, Bear. I can totally say that those people were spot on. :thumbsup:
Thanks. :blush:

Let me reciprocate by saying that you are a much better representative of Christianity than other Christians, (even those with the fancy titles ;)).
 
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PreachersWife2004

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Yep, that very Jesus. I love how when I bring that up, some people automatically assume I'm a liberal Christian. :)

How dare Jesus keep company with such people.

But hey, he had some great words for those who commented on his company amongst other things... Matthew 23 for starters...
 
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PreachersWife2004

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Thanks. :blush:

Let me reciprocate by saying that you are a much better representative of Christianity than other Christians, (even those with the fancy titles ;)).

Thank you, Bear. Please tell all my old friends that I say hi and I miss them and think of them often. You probably know the ones I mention - if not, I'm sure Lisa or Garnet can tell you. ;)

Well, I am certainly far from the best representative of Christianity. I often look in the mirror and see the word hypocrite. But when I find that happening, I do often look to how Jesus dealt with those around him who disagreed with him or hated him. While I strive to do as he did, I fail often.

We often are blinded by our own so-called righteousness and we get into a pattern where we think we are better than the rest of the world. Good grief, Jesus came down from Heaven and became human for all of us...how can we Christians possibly believe we are better than others?

It's just not my style. :prayer:
 
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xMinionX

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Sylvanspirits

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Thank you, Bear. Please tell all my old friends that I say hi and I miss them and think of them often. You probably know the ones I mention - if not, I'm sure Lisa or Garnet can tell you. ;)

Well, I am certainly far from the best representative of Christianity. I often look in the mirror and see the word hypocrite. But when I find that happening, I do often look to how Jesus dealt with those around him who disagreed with him or hated him. While I strive to do as he did, I fail often.

We often are blinded by our own so-called righteousness and we get into a pattern where we think we are better than the rest of the world. Good grief, Jesus came down from Heaven and became human for all of us...how can we Christians possibly believe we are better than others?

It's just not my style. :prayer:

Well, since I broke a month-long absence from CF, I may as well respond. :)

And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. - Luke 18:9-14

We're supposed to be humble, and avoid thinking ourselves better than others. :prayer: Your style is good. ^_^
 
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Sylvanspirits

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Got it. :wave:
 
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KCKID

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Hi again. The thread title is On atheists and Hell. Seems like some have forgotten. I will look back to see if there's anything of substance to respond to in regard to my previous post on this issue. However, I say again that 'hell' is NOT a literal place. It's 'a state' and it refers to the deceased. It's another name for 'hades' or 'the grave'. All references to 'the smoke of their torment rising forever', 'the worm dieth not', 'there will be gnashing of teeth' etc. etc. are 'illustrative' or allegorical/metaphorical ...NOT literal. That professed Christians don't know this and preach myth as fact to others is a worry.
 
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truthshift

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Hi again. The thread title is On atheists and Hell. Seems like some have forgotten. I will look back to see if there's anything of substance to respond to in regard to my previous post on this issue. However, I say again that 'hell' is NOT a literal place. It's 'a state' and it refers to the deceased. It's another name for 'hades' or 'the grave'. All references to 'the smoke of their torment rising forever', 'the worm dieth not', 'there will be gnashing of teeth' etc. etc. are 'illustrative' or allegorical/metaphorical ...NOT literal. That professed Christians don't know this and preach myth as fact to others is a worry.

It's all too hard to discern literal meanings and metaphorical meanings in the bible. It's not quite as "clear as day" as many claim it to be.
 
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FaithLikeARock

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Although paug doesn't differentiate between the various Christian beliefs on the issue, I think common sense should come into play here. Don't you? I don't think paug was speaking about anyone to who the notion of god's unreasonable decision doesn't apply. No lumping involved at all. If a comment doesn't apply to you or others I think it wise to ignore it in that context.

I'd rather not condone it though. I'm sure people who say "Christians are pro-gun" don't mean every Christian but people still assume all these things about me when I tell them I'm Christian.
 
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CreedIsChrist

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Because He doesn't decide, you do. But if He did kill you now, you wouldn't be able to decide. Because you'd be dead. God isn't stupid. Next time take care not to lump thousands of denominations into one belief.

As far as those who don't get to hear about Christ, I'm pretty sure there is mercy on them. The Bible never mentions it unfortunately. But hell isn't for people who don't accept Christ and more for people who deny Him entirely. Those who know but choose not to accept it. Not people who were never taught.


Actually we do. Its in the epistles of Peter were after Christ is crucified he goes down to preach to the people from the times of Noah who never heard about it. We have to remember Christ was 3 days in Sheol before the ressurection.

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. - 1 Peter 3:20
 
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CreedIsChrist

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It doesn't say anything about them because the concept of "accepting Christ" isn't found any where in scripture.


And it shall come to pass, that whoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. - Acts 2:21


WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED." - Romans - 10:13
 
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CreedIsChrist

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Ok, let me summarise:

Let's say I die an atheist, and suffer in the fiery pits of Hell for all eternity. God knew this all along, and chose this fate for me / chose not to intervene to make me a believer.

And you're suggesting that e.g. my life has contributed to someone else believing? This makes it OK, as if there were no easier way?

What I'm having trouble with is the inexplicable injustice which is a person who, simply for not believing in Jesus Christ, will be sent to be tortured for all eternity in the fiery pits of Hell. What that makes me think of is a petty God.

And as far as I can tell, also little Mwujambu boy enjoys that same fate - through no fault of his own.

And you said that Hell is for those who "actively deny Jesus Christ", i.e. know about him (i.e. have heard about him?) but still choose to deny him. The only way I can conceive of this happening is that people who have never heard of Jesus Christ, and thus can't believe in him, are saved, and go to... Heaven?

Well it must be a nice surprise :D


just because God has foreknowledge dosen't mean it affects our free will..

For instance, there could be a psyhic who knows what may happen to me in the future. However Im still gonna do what Im going to do whether someone knows or dosen't. I still have free choice.

Foreknowledge does not negate free will. John 3:16, Christ died for the WORLD. So it is possible that everyone be saved if they wanted. In fact who knows, maybe nearly everyone who has had their last breath repented eventually. We do not know and cannot make judgements.
 
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Washington

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just because God has foreknowledge dosen't mean it affects our free will..
Paug didn't say it did. He's saying that god knew the choices he would make and the eventuality of it all: an eternity in hell. God chose not to intervene to keep him out of hell. And, being omnipotent, god would have known this before paug was even born.

Paug was born to end up in hell. If he wasn't than what god saw---paug ending up in hell---was false. Think your god has false perceptions?
 
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CreedIsChrist

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Sorry, but I saw nothing that even suggested that those "who have never heard of Him [have] an opportunity to be saved." Perhaps you might post the specific scripture you have in mind. Thank you.


*sigh*, read more deeply. Its in the part where God can be seen in his creation so that we are without excuse. Romans chapter 1 and 2
 
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