What are the requirements for a person to get to heaven?

[ebia]

Let's suppose that there is a rumor that my neighbor George's son, George Jr., was killed in a gunfight, was dead for 3 days, and rose from the dead. Let's say I don't personally believe that rumor is true. Must I then force myself to believe that rumor is true before I can be George's friend? I would think if God exists, he would understand how you and I might differ on whether a claimed historical event actually happened or not.

Wouldn't it be hard to make friends with George Jr if you remain convinced he's dead?

 

[doubtingmerle]

The point I was trying to make is that you CAN surely be a theist without believing in Jesus Christ. But you surely CAN'T be a Christian, as that is what defines it. If you want to be accepted into the Christian Heaven, you need to believe in Christ. That is simple fact. Whether or not Christianity is the truth is a different debate in itself, but you are asking the question on a Christian Forum, so to expect anything but a Christian answer is not a valid expectation.

I was not asking how to be a Christian. I was asking how to get to heaven.

So if people differ with you on whether certain events happened in the first century, then they will be tormented with everlasting fire with no means of escape?

That sounds a little harsh to me.

 

[doubtingmerle]

Wouldn't it be hard to make friends with George Jr if you remain convinced he's dead?

Well, maybe I think George Jr. was in a coma for 3 days or I think George Jr. just went into hiding for 3 days. Either way, one would think I should still be able to talk to George Sr., even if we disagree on whether his son resurrected from the dead.

 

[doubtingmerle]

I think you need to add "not trying to make a list" to your list.

Done.

Official Requirements for Heaven

1. believe that Jesus is God the Messiah,
2. [believe that he] died and rose from the dead for the purpose of atonement for sins,
3. confesses this.
4. Act in accordance with that truth [whatever that means].
5. confess that you are a sinner
6. repent of your sins [whatever that means]
7. accept Jesus as your savior [whatever that means]
8. ask him to come into your heart.
9. Have faith in his blood.
10. Get on board with the project. [whatever that means]
11. Trust what God is doing.
12. Become a part of what God is doing. [By doing good works?]
13. Don't try to make a list.​

Is that your final answer?

 

[ebia]

Well, maybe I think George Jr. was in a coma for 3 days or I think George Jr. just went into hiding for 3 days. Either way, one would think I should still be able to talk to George Sr., even if we disagree on whether his son resurrected from the dead.

you can, but the conversation is going to keep coming back to his son.

 

[ebia]

I was not asking how to be a Christian. I was asking how to get to heaven. So if people differ with you on whether certain events happened in the first century, then they will be tormented with everlasting fire with no means of escape? That sounds a little harsh to me.

If "heaven" is whatever is on the other side of that resurrection, then you have a problem if the resurrection didn't happen or you deny it's happening.

 

[doubtingmerle]

you can, but the conversation is going to keep coming back to his son.

How do you know that?

Perhaps when George senior sees his assertion is unreasonable, he may change his mind.

 

[doubtingmerle]

If "heaven" is whatever is on the other side of that resurrection, then you have a problem if the resurrection didn't happen or you deny it's happening.

If "heaven" is whatever is on the other side of that resurrection, then you also have a problem if the resurrection didn't happen, yes?

 

[ebia]

How do you know that? Perhaps when George senior sees his assertion is unreasonable, he may change his mind.

Surely the issue is whether its truthful, not whether it's reasonable.

 

[ebia]

If "heaven" is whatever is on the other side of that resurrection, then you also have a problem if the resurrection didn't happen, yes?

yes

 

[Girder of Loins]

"I don't know anything about Truth, but I know falsehood when I see it..." -mewithoutYou, "Elephant in the Dock"

I don't know what salvation is, but I know what it looks like.

 

[GrayAngel]

Done.

Official Requirements for Heaven

1. believe that Jesus is God the Messiah,
2. [believe that he] died and rose from the dead for the purpose of atonement for sins,
3. confesses this.
4. Act in accordance with that truth [whatever that means].
5. confess that you are a sinner
6. repent of your sins [whatever that means]
7. accept Jesus as your savior [whatever that means]
8. ask him to come into your heart.
9. Have faith in his blood.
10. Get on board with the project. [whatever that means]
11. Trust what God is doing.
12. Become a part of what God is doing. [By doing good works?]
13. Don't try to make a list.​

Is that your final answer?

Remove 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 12. They are all redundant. 11 is not a requirement, but it's something that would naturally follow the rest. All you need on the list is:

1. Faith. In what? Christ, the Redeemer of Sinners.
2. Repentance. This is the act of turning away from one's sins and turning towards what's right, under the direction of the Holy Spirit.
3. Behavior consistent with that faith. Technically, this isn't even a requirement, but it serves as evidence that the first requirement is satisfied. If a person does not act according to their faith, that suggests that their faith is dead.

It is important to note that these are not prerequisites for getting God's attention. On the contrary, God initiates it all. Scripture says that faith is a gift of God.

Ephesians 2:8 : For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—

 

[CaseyB]

I was not asking how to be a Christian. I was asking how to get to heaven.

So if people differ with you on whether certain events happened in the first century, then they will be tormented with everlasting fire with no means of escape?

That sounds a little harsh to me.

Sometimes the truth is harsh. That doesn't on its own make it any less true

 

[98cwitr]

What are the requirements for a person to get to heaven?

To be reborn (John 3)

 

[doubtingmerle]

Surely the issue is whether its truthful, not whether it's reasonable.

OK, but in our illustration it is mentioned that the resurrection of George's son was specifically said to be a rumor, not the truth.

And yes, of course, George's son did not rise from the dead. That doesn't happen in real life.

 

[doubtingmerle]

All you need on the list is:

1. Faith. In what? Christ, the Redeemer of Sinners.
2. Repentance. This is the act of turning away from one's sins and turning towards what's right, under the direction of the Holy Spirit.
3. Behavior consistent with that faith.

Ah, let's scrap the other list and start over with the right list. Sounds like a plan.

Oh, and you don't agree with the writer who said not to make lists? If God requires several things before he lets people into heaven, one would think he would want the complete list published in a concise list.

I notice that your list emphasizes things specifically negated by other Christians. You mention not only turning toward what is right, but also following up with behavior consistent with that commitment. Those are, of course, good suggestions. We ought to commit to doing what is right, and ought to live consistent with that commitment.

I am surprised that some here say that one can lie, cheat, murder, rape, pillage and plunder without limit and still make it to heaven, as long as one believes and confesses that he believes. That sort of easy believism now seems strange to me.

 

[doubtingmerle]

To be reborn (John 3)

And how do I get reborn?

 

[tulipbee]

What are the requirements for a person to get to heaven?

There are none.

 

[doubtingmerle]

I don't know what salvation is, but I know what it looks like.

Does salvation look like some people lying, cheating, stealing, raping, murdering, pillaging, and plundering without limit and still having salvation, while those who dedicate their lives to good works but differ on doctrine don't? Some people have suggested that this is what salvation looks like. Do you agree?

 

[doubtingmerle]

There are none.

Oh good. So we all make it? And nobody gets turned out?

I pick your plan.