• Starting today August 7th, 2024, in order to post in the Married Couples, Courting Couples, or Singles forums, you will not be allowed to post if you have your Marital status designated as private. Announcements will be made in the respective forums as well but please note that if yours is currently listed as Private, you will need to submit a ticket in the Support Area to have yours changed.

A few questions.

jehj

Newbie
Aug 14, 2008
0
0
34
✟15,112.00
Faith
Protestant
Intro to me

I am 16, 4 of my best friends are christian but my entire family there is no christians. i've been to many camps but i still have not been "saved" just a few questions to strengthen me, or weaken me.

1) Why, do people who do not follow the christian religion but are the nicest person you can meet, doesn't sin purposefully, moralistic get sent to hell rather than heaven over a person who is a strong christian but is in-considerate ?

2) What happens in africa for an example who have not had the chance or the oppertunity to even read the bible or hear about god to get the chance to become a christian have to go to hell? Or babys who die at 1 year old for example?

3) What defines the "christian God" supereor over the muslim, buddhist, hindu religion who follow their God or whatever it may be?

discuss >>>

jehj. PS i am not criticizing your religion, just asking questions.
 

Bellicus

Account no longer in use
Jul 11, 2008
2,250
163
✟18,209.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Private
Hi, welcome to the forums, hope you will enjoy it here :)

I will try to answer your questions as good as I can, even if English is not my native-language and even if I am a fairly new and inexperienced christian myself.

1.According to the bible there is no good people. Not a single one. We all have faults and errors. I read something someone said in a post here on the forum: If there were recorded a tape with all my life, all that I have done, then I would not like to show it to anyone. I agree with this myself. Most people consider me to be a friendly and helpful guy, but I have many things I regret in life, things that I would have changed into something better if I could. According to the bible we are all sinners. All of us are lost in this world. I could use the tape-metaphor again: If I had a tape that would show you everything that has ever happened on earth then I doubt you would have been able to bare looking at everything that happened. There is so much terrible happening in only one day on earth, I think we would get insane by just looking at all the death and despair that happened in one single hour. So if you are following me here, then this is what the bible calls sin. It is something that makes us sick and makes us die. It is something that we will be lost forever in if we are not saved from it. And this is why Christians come to heaven, because we grab the one thing that can pull us out of this world and the sin that is killing us both physical and spiritual. Jesus died for us and took all our sins on himself, so we are not saved because we are "good christians" or "good people" but because we grab that one, only thing that will keep us from getting lost forever.

2.I think most people in Africa know about christianity, in fact Africans are usually very religious compared to "The West", but there are some places in the world where noone has ever heard of it, like in a small island in the indian ocean that have never been in real contact with anyone from the "outside". The bible tells about the 3 days Jesus was dead, then he told about the gospel to the ones that died at the days of Noah, where noone had yet heard about God or what is good. And I am sure everyone will have their chance in this life or while dead and waiting for the judgment day, if they have never heard about it. And anyway, the bible also tells us that everyone has the laws of God written on their hearts. A proof of this is that even people that never have heard about God, still follow moral laws that looks very much like the same moral laws christianity is talking about. I will reccommend reading Romans about this. Paul really describes it a lot better then me :)

When it comes to children, Jesus said him self that they are part of the Kingdom of God, this means that they are not considered to be sinners and can't be lost.

3. Thats up to yourself to judge. I've been experimenting a lot with different forms of religion before I became a Christian, and the bible tells "you know the tree on the fruit" and "taste and know that the Lord is good". You can try whatever you want, but I am sure you will never find peace in the soul by anything else then Christianity.

I think there is some rules against debate in this thread by the way. So you won't get any discussions here. If you want to learn about Christianity, then this is the right spot. If you want to ask questions and debate them, then the other sub-forums are better.

God bless!
 
Upvote 0

jehj

Newbie
Aug 14, 2008
0
0
34
✟15,112.00
Faith
Protestant
But there is NO living proof of God, people who have been brought up in a non christian family with no christian friends will find the non god side of life alot easier and more fun.

and for the 3rd answer. some people get killed in other countries who do not follow the local religion and if all there family and everyone around them worship their god then what are they doing wrong?
 
Upvote 0

Bellicus

Account no longer in use
Jul 11, 2008
2,250
163
✟18,209.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Private
I gave you a pretty big hunk of answers there, and it didn't seem like it went anywhere, so if this is not what you are looking for, then I cant help you, I doubt anyone else will help you either.

If you are looking for material proofs, then you might want to try a science web-page or something. Like ScienceMag.com one of the headlines today is Stockpiling Antibioterror Drugs May Be Unsafe, Experts Warn Might get peace in your soul, if you read the article hard enough. :)

When it comes to your 3rd answer, and really all answers like that can be answered by:

1John 1,5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

That pretty much answeres it all. If God is light, and there is no darkness in him, then there really is no need to worry about anything. He is perfect Good and perfect Justice, and there will be nothing to say about his judgments.

God bless :)
 
Upvote 0

Sketcher

Born Imperishable
Feb 23, 2004
39,043
9,486
✟420,707.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Republican
1) Why, do people who do not follow the christian religion but are the nicest person you can meet, doesn't sin purposefully, moralistic get sent to hell rather than heaven over a person who is a strong christian but is in-considerate ?
Even those people won't get all their sins out of the way. Without the sacrifice of Jesus, no one would have made it to Heaven at all.

2) What happens in africa for an example who have not had the chance or the oppertunity to even read the bible or hear about god to get the chance to become a christian have to go to hell? Or babys who die at 1 year old for example?
Being as God created that person and endured the agony of the cross for that person, and knows just how bad hell would be for that person, I'm willing to let that be God's problem rather than mine. He loves those people more than you or I ever could. Not too many people over here lift a finger to help the slightest need of that person in Africa, so why would they take a bullet for them, let alone crucifixion and condemnation? But Jesus took the crucifixion and condemnation for that person's sake, as far as we both know. God either has an insurance plan for those people or He does not, but either way it's not relevant to you and me. And as C.S. Lewis said, if you're really that concerned about the soul of the person on the other side of the world who has never heard of Jesus, then the logical thing to do is to become a Christian, become a missionary, and tell people on the far side of the world about Jesus.

3) What defines the "christian God" supereor over the muslim, buddhist, hindu religion who follow their God or whatever it may be?
Considering the Resurrection of Jesus Christ actually happened, I think that speaks a lot for the Christian God. If Jesus rose from the grave, you've got to go backward from there, and when you do, you will find our God at the other end of that journey.

But there is NO living proof of God
Yes there is. Creation speaks of the Creator.

some people get killed in other countries who do not follow the local religion and if all there family and everyone around them worship their god then what are they doing wrong?
They're worshiping the wrong god, and I also think it's pretentious to think that they are automatically better people over there than we are aside from who they worship. Everyone needs Jesus.
 
Upvote 0

Radiata

You don’t need a reason to help people.
May 30, 2007
3,489
205
37
The Place We Knew...
✟27,450.00
Faith
Lutheran
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Republican
I see these questions many times. It's hard to answer them, but any answer must come from scripture and not hopeful optimists.
Intro to me

I am 16, 4 of my best friends are christian but my entire family there is no christians. i've been to many camps but i still have not been "saved" just a few questions to strengthen me, or weaken me.

1) Why, do people who do not follow the christian religion but are the nicest person you can meet, doesn't sin purposefully, moralistic get sent to hell rather than heaven over a person who is a strong christian but is in-considerate ?
This brings up another question. Is this person perfect? Has this person committed any crime at all in their life? I can guarentee that they have. Whether it is lying, speeding, stealing, whatever, they have "sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." Therefore, I must ask you: Can heaven (being a perfect place) accept anyone that is not perfect? Has this person been given any way for their sins to be erased/forgiven? If they haven't, then it is my sad duty to inform you that heaven will not bring them in. For it is only through God's grace that our sins have been forgiven. And unless this person has recieved God's grace, then they can't enter heaven. On the other hand, hell accepts all people. There is no requirement that needs to be met to go there, and the devil is always happy to receive more members in his club. Therefore I say to you: Seek God's forgivness. It is the only way to be made fit for heaven.
2) What happens in africa for an example who have not had the chance or the oppertunity to even read the bible or hear about god to get the chance to become a christian have to go to hell? Or babys who die at 1 year old for example?
Again, I must ask you, are these people sinful? If they are, then they need to have their sins erased before they can enter heaven. Infants are not exempt from sin. These babies don't just pack their bags and go to naughty school at 3 weeks old. They are born that way. Everything they do is selfishly motivated. But there are ways for them to be saved through the sacraments. If one thinks that infants are innocent because they have not reached some "age of accountability" then they need to reexamine the scriptures that say: "Surely I was sinful the moment I left my mother's womb." But regardless, I can't say for certain that they will be condemned. All I can say is that scripture does not say whether or not they will be saved. I certainly hope so.
3) What defines the "christian God" supereor over the muslim, buddhist, hindu religion who follow their God or whatever it may be?

discuss >>>

jehj. PS i am not criticizing your religion, just asking questions.
[/quote]The Christian God is the Alpha and Omega. The beginning and the End. Like when Moses wants to know the name of God so that he can tell the Hebrew slaves in Egypt, God tells him that his hame is "I AM." He has no beginning, and isn't restrained to one place. He just simply is. Then, now, and forevermore will be.

But if you want a refutation of the Muslim god Allah, that's easy enough. Take the origin of the Islamic religion. You have a man named Muhammud who goes into a cave and has a spiritual experience where he claims that Allah revealed the Koran to him. He begins writing it, starting with great lessons of tollerance and being kind to others...even others of different religions. Then as Islam spreads, Muhammud gains more and more power, and ever time, you see the Koran becomming darker and more sinister. As more countries are conquored by the sword, people begin to join with them for political reasons as well as being motivated toward self-preservation. Later in Muhammud's life after he kills many men, obtains many wives (one being 6 years old and having sex with her when she turned 9) his writings start to say to kill people of different religions...all who don't convert. His ego becomes so big.

Therefore, what can you say about the god of the Muslims? Is it directly inspired by an unchanging and everpresent god? Then I can't follow it. The same goes for Hinduism. If you ask them if they are monotheistic or polytheistic, they will say "yes." There is so much division in them that they can't even decide who their gods are. They can't be the great people that God wants to lead His people. Buddahism? It isn't even a religion. It's all about a state of mind without any use of gods at all.

I would like to share more with you, but I have an exam in 5ive minutes. I hope this helps. I wll be out of town for the weekend as well. :wave:
 
Upvote 0

heymikey80

Quidquid Latine dictum sit, altum viditur
Dec 18, 2005
14,496
921
✟41,809.00
Faith
Calvinist
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Republican
But there is NO living proof of God, people who have been brought up in a non christian family with no christian friends will find the non god side of life alot easier and more fun.
I'm sure if you went into certain parts of the Amazon there'd be people denying the existence of gravity, too. Yet they live it out every day.

Try going through one day without a thought. Are thoughts real? Can you hold one in your hand? How about see, touch, taste, smell it?

And you -- not the physical you, is there a "you" really inside that bag of mostly water?

If not -- then you can safely deny that reality. If so, then you've got a problem. You're not living consistently with what you know to be reality. Your reality includes consciousness, yet no Cause for it. Spirit, but nothing it depends on. Thought but no order.
and for the 3rd answer. some people get killed in other countries who do not follow the local religion and if all there family and everyone around them worship their god then what are they doing wrong?
Is God absent? Who deserves acknowledgement that He exists more -- the God Who is there, or the god who is a lie?
 
Upvote 0

PastorJim

Well-Known Member
Jul 12, 2006
1,612
344
✟3,601.00
Faith
Baptist
1) Why, do people who do not follow the christian religion but are the nicest person you can meet, doesn't sin purposefully, moralistic get sent to hell rather than heaven over a person who is a strong christian but is in-considerate?

You've already gotten some good answers to this one so I'll let them speak for themselves.

2) What happens in africa for an example who have not had the chance or the oppertunity to even read the bible or hear about god to get the chance to become a christian have to go to hell? Or babys who die at 1 year old for example?

All people are accountable to God whether they have “heard about Him” or not. The Bible tells us that God has clearly revealed Himself in nature (Romans 1:20) and in the hearts of people (Ecclesiastes 3:11). The problem is that the human race is sinful; we all reject this knowledge of God and rebel against Him (Romans 1:21-23). Apart from God's grace, God would give us over to the sinful desires of our hearts, allowing us to discover how useless and miserable life is apart from Him. This He does for those who reject Him (Romans 1:24-32).

In reality, it is not that some people have not heard about God. Rather, the problem is that they have rejected what they have heard and what is readily seen in nature. Deuteronomy 4:29 proclaims, “But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul.” This verse teaches an important principle: everyone who truly seeks after God will find Him. If a person truly desires to know God, God will make Himself known.

The problem is, “there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God” (Romans 3:11). People reject the knowledge of God that is present in nature and in their own heart, and instead decide to worship a “god” of their own creation. It is foolish to debate the fairness of God sending someone to hell who never had the opportunity to hear the Gospel of Christ. People are responsible to God for what God has already revealed to them. The Bible says that people reject this knowledge, and therefore God is just in condemning them to hell.

3) What defines the "christian God" supereor over the muslim, buddhist, hindu religion who follow their God or whatever it may be?

The short answer is that the only crucial thing that seperates these religions from Christianity is the person and atoning work of Jesus Christ.

First, let's look at Jesus’ words in John 10:30, “I and the Father are one.” At first glance, this might not seem to be a claim to be God. However, look at the Jews’ reaction to His statement, “We are not stoning you for any of these, replied the Jews, but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God” (John 10:33). The Jews understood Jesus’ statement to be a claim to be God. In the following verses, Jesus never corrects the Jews by saying, “I did not claim to be God.” That indicates Jesus was truly saying He was God by declaring, “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30). John 8:58 is another example. Jesus proclaimed, “I tell you the truth, Jesus answered, before Abraham was born, I am!” Again, in response, the Jews take up stones in an attempt to stone Jesus (John 8:59). Jesus announcing His identity as “I am” is a direct application of the Old Testament name for God (Exodus 3:14). Why would the Jews again want to stone Jesus if He hadn’t said something they believed to be blasphemous, namely, a claim to be God?

John 1:1 says that “the Word was God.” John 1:14 says that “the Word became flesh.” This clearly indicates that Jesus is God in the flesh. Thomas the disciple declared to Jesus, “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28). Jesus does not correct him. The Apostle Paul describes Him as, “…our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13). The Apostle Peter says the same, “…our God and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:1). God the Father is witness of Jesus’ full identity as well, “But about the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom.” Old Testament prophecies of Christ announce His deity, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

So, as C.S. Lewis argued, believing Jesus to be a good teacher is not an option. Jesus clearly and undeniably claimed to be God. If He is not God, then He is a liar, and therefore not a prophet, good teacher, or godly man. In attempts to explain the words of Jesus away, modern “scholars” claim the “true historical Jesus” did not say many of the things the Bible attributes to Him. Who are we to argue with God’s Word concerning what Jesus did or did not say? How can a “scholar” two-thousand years removed from Jesus have better insight into what Jesus did or did not say than those who lived with, served with, and were taught by Jesus Himself (John 14:26)?

Why is the question over Jesus’ true identity so important? Why does it matter whether or not Jesus is God? The most important reason that Jesus has to be God is that if He is not God, His death would not have been sufficient to pay the penalty for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2). Only God could pay such an infinite penalty (Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus had to be God so that He could pay our debt. Jesus had to be man so He could die. Salvation is available only through faith in Jesus Christ! Jesus’ deity and sinlessness is why He is the only avenue by which men may be saved. This is why He proclaimed, “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

Now, on to the issue of why Jesus' death is so important.

The Bible says, “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Evidence affirms that the sinless Jesus bled and died on a cross. Most importantly, the Bible explains why Jesus’ death and resurrection provide the only entrance to heaven.

The punishment for sin is death.

God created earth and man perfect. But when Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s commands, He had to punish them. A judge who pardons law-breakers isn’t a righteous judge. Likewise, overlooking sin would make the holy God unjust. Death is God’s just consequence for sin. “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Even good works cannot make up for wrongs against the holy God. Compared to His goodness, “All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6b). Ever since Adam’s sin, every human has been guilty of disobeying God’s righteous laws. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Sin is not just big things like murder or blasphemy, but also includes love of money, hatred of enemies, and deceit of tongue and pride. Because of sin, everyone has deserved death – eternal separation from God in hell.

The promise required an innocent death.

Although God banished Adam and Eve from the garden, He didn’t leave them without hope of heaven. He promised He would send a sinless Sacrifice to take the punishment they deserved (Genesis 3:15). Until then, men would sacrifice innocent lambs, showing their repentance from sin and faith in the future Sacrifice from God who would bear their penalty. God reaffirmed His promise of the Sacrifice with men such as Abraham and Moses. Herein lies the beauty of God’s perfect plan: God Himself provided the only sacrifice (Jesus) who could atone for the sins of His people. God’s perfect Son fulfilled God’s perfect requirement of God’s perfect law. It is perfectly brilliant in its simplicity. “God made Him (Christ), who knew no sin, to be sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

The prophets foretold Jesus’ death.

From Adam to Jesus, God sent prophets to mankind, warning them of sin’s punishment and foretelling the coming Messiah. One prophet, Isaiah, described Him:

“Who has believed what they heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors” (Isaiah 53:1-12). He likened the coming Sacrifice to a lamb, slaughtered for the sins of others.

Hundreds of years later, Isaiah’s prophecy was fulfilled in the perfect Lord Jesus, born of the virgin Mary. When the prophet John the Baptist saw Him, he cried, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). Crowds thronged Him for healing and teaching, but the religious leaders scorned Him. Mobs cried out, “Crucify Him!” Soldiers beat, mocked, and crucified Him. As Isaiah foretold, Jesus was crucified in between two criminals but was buried in a rich man’s tomb. But He didn’t remain in the grave. Because God accepted His Lamb’s sacrifice, He fulfilled another prophecy by raising Jesus from the dead (Psalm 16:10; Isaiah 26:19).

Why did Jesus have to die? Remember, the holy God cannot let sin go unpunished. To bear our own sins would be to suffer God’s judgment in the flames of hell. Praise God, He kept His promise to send and sacrifice the perfect Lamb to bear the sins of those who trust in Him. Jesus had to die because He is the only one who can pay the penalty for our sins.
 
Upvote 0

heymikey80

Quidquid Latine dictum sit, altum viditur
Dec 18, 2005
14,496
921
✟41,809.00
Faith
Calvinist
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Republican
1) Why, do people who do not follow the christian religion but are the nicest person you can meet, doesn't sin purposefully, moralistic get sent to hell rather than heaven over a person who is a strong christian but is in-considerate ?
Isn't that more a "Hey, he's nice to me, why should you complain about him rebelling around you if he's nice to me?" I'm unsure what that's called, but it doesn't quite reach the point of empathy in human activity.
2) What happens in africa for an example who have not had the chance or the oppertunity to even read the bible or hear about god to get the chance to become a christian have to go to hell? Or babys who die at 1 year old for example?
I've a slightly variant view of this.

People who rely on God without having heard how He's going to save them are judged differently. But they as well as anyone on earth must realize that at some level their actions and desires really are not worthy of what it'll take to save them.

Jesus is the Person through Whom this salvation comes. But it's not demanded that everyone know Jesus Himself. How do you carry on a conversation with a book, or a history, 2000 years after Jesus' birth? And how did Abraham (better yet, Isaac? Jacob?) rely on Someone Who did not yet live, die, and arise yet? Yet we must rely on the God Who saves. In that way the Spirit of God changes those God saves to rely on Him. When they recognize what Jesus did and Who Jesus is, then they recognize the God that is in them, is the God that did this for them.

But people are saved through relying on God.
3) What defines the "christian God" supereor over the muslim, buddhist, hindu religion who follow their God or whatever it may be?
He's real. I'm sorry if that sounds "odd", but that's what makes the real God superior over the non-real god. Jesus really died. Jesus really came back from the dead. That's what's so important about Christianity. History changed because of what the real God did.
 
Upvote 0

Mislaid

Newbie
Aug 16, 2008
28
3
✟22,688.00
Faith
Salvation Army
Marital Status
Single
To give an answer to the second question you asked...

Those who have not heard are not excused for their sins because at the very least everyone has a conscience and can see the beauty in nature. If these people were completely excused then ignorance would be bliss, right? I believe that they will be judged on the basis of what was revealed to them and that isn't for me to judge.

As for babies and young children who die, I believe that they will be shown mercy by God and won't be judged ... I mean, how could they? This concept is known as the 'age of accountability'.

In whatever the situation or circumstances we can know that God will act justly as the dialogue of Abraham's intercession on behalf of the people of Sodom (Genesis 18:16-33) shows:
"Are you really going to destroy the innocent with the guilty? If there are fifty innocent people in the city, will you destroy the whole city? Won't you spare it in order to save the fifty? Surely you won't kill the innocent with the guilty. That's impossible! You can't do that. If you did, the innocent would be punished along with the guilty. That is impossible. The judge of all the Earth has to act justly."

The LORD answered, "If I find fifty innocent people in Sodom, I will spare the whole city for their sake."
Abraham brought the number of innocent people required down to 10 and even then the LORD agreed. I hope that this gives you some idea of how much God's mercy and grace exceeds His desire for justice and that His justice is true and just.
 
Upvote 0

ahiggs

Regular Member
Aug 4, 2008
541
27
50
Carthage Missouri
✟15,841.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Libertarian
you have heard the gospel from several different people here, and all glorious in the telling. bless all of you, from this point all you can do at this point is continue to hate God or relize you are a sinner and need a savior. for no one can come to the Father except through the Son. look at the human body it looks like it had to be created not happen by accident. if you were walking down the beach and saw your name writen in sea shells you would know that someone had done that on purpose and intentally, and so were you by God
 
Upvote 0

salida

Veteran
Jun 14, 2006
4,305
278
✟6,243.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Constitution
Answers:

1) Go to: http://www.livingwaters.com/good/ Are you or anybody a good person?
Christ was sent for a spiritual remedy to mankind - we all have fallen spiritually no matter who we are. Yes, there are good natured people - but this isn't what this is about here.

2) Opportunity to meet Christ? Acts 17:26-27 describes that we are all born in a specific place and time period so that we may know God. Nothing is for an accident. Romans 1:20 - Because of his creation we are without excuse.

3) What defines a christian? God does - the Bible is Gods Word. Not just because I said it is. Those who are christians will show this by how they live their life - not by those who "claim" it. A duck is a duck if it walks like a duck not a horse.

Read the Evidence That Demands A Verdict by Josh McDowell (it would stand up in court concerning biblical evidence). The Bible has hundreds of detailed prophesies that has come true and more to be fulfilled- these prophesies are not at all vague. One characteristic out of many concerning why the Bible has to have been written by God.
 
Upvote 0

salida

Veteran
Jun 14, 2006
4,305
278
✟6,243.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Constitution

(Continuation of my answer)

Biblical Evidence – This is a very small amount of information
out of large amounts of information out there.

Internal Evidences-Prophesies that are confirmed with Bible;

mentioning only a few – but there are hundreds.

Life of Christ
The Tribe of Judah, Gen. 49:10, Luke 3:23-28
(Genesis was written 4004 BC to 1689 BC)
(Luke’s time period is 60-70 AD)

Royal Line of David, Jer 23:5, Matt 1:1
(Jeremiah 760 to 698 BC)/(Matthew 60-70 AD)

Born of a Virgin, Isaiah 7:14/Matt 1:18-23
(Isaiah 760 to 698 BC)/(60-70 AD)

Rise of Empires
In the book of Daniel, Chapter 2 – four kingdoms are described in the interpretation
of the dream of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greek – Daniel 8:21, 10:20/ and a fourth great kingdom to follow which was part iron and clay – which is the
Roman Empire – during this empire, Christ came and the church was established – Daniel 2:44.

Historical Accuracy

The Bible is loaded with historical statements concerning events of hundreds of years ago, yet
none of them has been proven to be incorrect.
(Bible compared to other ancient documents)
New Testament – starts at 25 years – between the original and surviving copies
Homer- starts at 500 years/Demosthenes – at 1400 years/Plato – at 1200 years/
Caesar – at 1000 years

Number of Manuscript Copies

New Testament – 5,686/Homer – 643/Demosthenes – 200/Plato – 7/Caesar – 10

Consistency – Written by 40 men over a period of time exceeding 1400 years, and has no
Internal inconsistencies.



Claim of Inspiration- It claims to be spoken by God, 2 Tim 3:16-17). No other religious book makes such claims.


External Evidences

(Prophesies Outside the Bible)
These cities were prophesied to be destroyed and never to be built again- and they haven’t.
Niveveh – Nahum 1:10, 3:7, 15, Zephaniah 2:13-14
Babylon – Isaiah 13:1-22
Tyre -Ezekiel 26:1-28

Bible before Science

He hangs the earth on nothing – Job 26:7
(Job was written at least 1000 years ago – some scholars think it could have been even 3000
years ago)
Note: Man only knew the above for 350 years.
Earth is a sphere – Isaiah 40:22/Air has weight – Job 28:25/
Gravity – Job 26:7, Job 38: 31-33/Winds blow in cyclones, Eccl 1:6

Documents that Prove Bible is True

Gilgamesh Epic, The Sumerian King List, Mari Tablets, Babylonian Chronicles

Archealogical Evidence (Still adding to this list today- it hasn’t stopped)
Excavations of Ur, Location of Zoar, Ziggurats and the foundation of Tower of Babel









 
Upvote 0

Anglian

let us love one another, for love is of God
Oct 21, 2007
8,092
1,246
Held
✟28,241.00
Faith
Oriental Orthodox
Marital Status
Married
Dear jehj,

You have received many excellent answers to your questions, and I can add only a trifle from my own tradition.
1) Why, do people who do not follow the christian religion but are the nicest person you can meet, doesn't sin purposefully, moralistic get sent to hell rather than heaven over a person who is a strong christian but is in-considerate ?
Only one knows who will go to Heaven, and that is the Only Just Judge, God Himself. Not one of us can claim to know His mind fully. But we have been offered guidance on how best to live our life - that is in obedience to His will; but He leaves us free to choose. Christ came to save sinners, of whom I am the chief; and if He can save me, then He can save you - if you let Him into your heart.

2) What happens in africa for an example who have not had the chance or the oppertunity to even read the bible or hear about god to get the chance to become a christian have to go to hell? Or babys who die at 1 year old for example?
There are more Bible-believing Christians in Africa than any other part of the world, so don't worry about our brothers and sisters there; they're coming back to places like the UK and bringing the Gospel with them. Those who have never heard the word of the Lord will be judged by the same God who judges us all; and as we all hope for His mercy, so those who stand before Him will know Him. We are told that God so loved us that He reached out to us, sinners though we all are; that may tell its own story.

3) What defines the "christian God" supereor over the muslim, buddhist, hindu religion who follow their God or whatever it may be?
If 'superior' is a stumbling block, think of it as 'fullness'. Other faiths may well, and do, catch a glimpse of the glory of the Creator. But only in Christianity can we become sons of God by adoption; only through the Incarnation can we be truly united with the Divine. So, we would say that the fullness of God's love for us is manifested only in Christ's Incarnation.

Does that make it 'superior'? No, it makes it unique. We are called to humility, and to boast only in the Cross of Christ, and Christ Risen. If we bring our own message, we speak nothing; if we speak of His love for us, we speak only what we are told to speak. In that is neither pride nor vainglory. In our haste to communicate the Good News we may not always get things right; but the Good News is there - for all who will receive the Risen Lord.

Peace,

Anglian
 
Upvote 0

seashale76

Unapologetic Iconodule
Dec 29, 2004
14,046
4,454
✟207,647.00
Country
United States
Gender
Female
Faith
Melkite Catholic
Marital Status
Married
Intro to me

I am 16, 4 of my best friends are christian but my entire family there is no christians. i've been to many camps but i still have not been "saved" just a few questions to strengthen me, or weaken me.
I'm not 'saved' yet either. I'm being saved. I'm still running my race and have yet to endure until the end.

1) Why, do people who do not follow the christian religion but are the nicest person you can meet, doesn't sin purposefully, moralistic get sent to hell rather than heaven over a person who is a strong christian but is in-considerate ?
St. John Chrysostom once said something to the effect that the road to hell is paved with the skulls of priests and bishops mitres. The Church is made up of sinners. It is our hospital that dispenses the medicine of immortality. Christ is the Great Physician. The Church is the ark of our salvation and people can jump ship before reaching port. Does every professing Christian go to heaven? Only God knows the heart of every person who ever lived, is living, and will live. Only God can judge how a person's heart is in relation to Himself.

What's heaven? What's hell? Regarding heaven and hell: God is Love and His presence is like fire. How one endures this fire has everything to do with how they were tempered in this life, just like the three righteous youths in the fiery furnace joyfully walked around unharmed in the fire, so did others who didn't love God perish just being near the fire. The fire didn't change.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hell_in...tern_Orthodoxy

"For many ancient Christians, Hell was the same "place" as Heaven: living in the presence of God and directly experiencing God's love. Whether this was experienced as pleasure or torment depended on one's disposition towards God. St. Isaac of Syria wrote in Mystic Treatises: "... those who find themselves in Hell will be chastised by the scourge of love. How cruel and bitter this torment of love will be! For those who understand that they have sinned against love, undergo greater suffering than those produced by the most fearful tortures. The sorrow which takes hold of the heart, which has sinned against love, is more piercing than any other pain. It is not right to say that the sinners in Hell are deprived of the love of God ... But love acts in two ways, as suffering of the reproved, and as joy in the blessed!" This ancient view is still the doctrine of the Eastern Orthodox Church."

2) What happens in africa for an example who have not had the chance or the oppertunity to even read the bible or hear about god to get the chance to become a christian have to go to hell? Or babys who die at 1 year old for example?
God knows the hearts of men. God is merciful and we trust in His mercy. People are only judged on what they've done with the information they have.

3) What defines the "christian God" supereor over the muslim, buddhist, hindu religion who follow their God or whatever it may be?

The Christian God is the only one that came in the flesh for express purpose of defeating sin and death so that we could know the unknowable God and eventually attain theosis (becoming like God and partaking in His divine energies). We have the choice.

discuss >>>

jehj. PS i am not criticizing your religion, just asking questions.
Understood. :)
 
Upvote 0

Stinker

Senior Veteran
Sep 23, 2004
3,556
174
Overland Park, KS.
✟4,880.00
Faith
Christian Seeker
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Others
If anyone had never had the opportunity to hear and fully understand the Gospel before they died, they will still have a chance to enter into heaven at the resurrection. This 'chance' is very shaky though. Very, very, very, few people have such a clear good conscience resulting from only following the moral law that we are all born with. Most of us violate it so much throughout our lives.




Romans 2:14-16 (The Message)

14-16When outsiders who have never heard of God's law follow it more or less by instinct, they confirm its truth by their obedience. They show that God's law is not something alien, imposed on us from without, but woven into the very fabric of our creation. There is something deep within them that echoes God's yes and no, right and wrong. Their response to God's yes and no will become public knowledge on the day God makes his final decision about every man and woman. The Message from God that I proclaim through Jesus Christ takes into account all these differences.
 
Upvote 0

ahiggs

Regular Member
Aug 4, 2008
541
27
50
Carthage Missouri
✟15,841.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Libertarian
If anyone had never had the opportunity to hear and fully understand the Gospel before they died, they will still have a chance to enter into heaven at the resurrection. This 'chance' is very shaky though. Very, very, very, few people have such a clear good conscience resulting from only following the moral law that we are all born with. Most of us violate it so much throughout our lives.

i would have to say that we have all violated all of it my (myself most certianly)...all liars will have their part in the lake of fire, no thieves no blasphemers, no adulterers will inter the kingdom of heaven.
 
Upvote 0

Emmy

Senior Veteran
Feb 15, 2004
10,200
940
✟66,005.00
Faith
Salvation Army
Dear jehj. God does not want nice people, God wants changed people. Men and women, ( all human beings) we are selfish, inconsiderately and thoughtlessly following our own will, and doing what is best for us. Jesus, if you do not know Him, you need to read the Bible, God`s Word to Man. ( read one or two of the four Gospels) Jesus gave us 2 Commandments, which contain all 10 Commandments, which God gave us. 1) Love God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. God made us in His image, jehj, and God loves us enough to want us back and live with Him eternally. Question 2) God is all powerful, and God knows all we think and wish. For those who have never heard of Him, God has made provision. God is a loving, forgiving, and absolutely just and fair God. He would never judge those who never knew Him, or heard about Him, God would always make sure that somehow, or other, everybody heard about Him and knew Him. 3) There is only ONE God, jehj, Christians call Him God-Father, Muslims call Him Allah, and Jews call Him Jehovah. Many Jews and Muslims have accepted Christianity, which is also a relationship between God and His children, God-Father, God-Son, and God-Holy Spirit, 3 persons but ONE HOLY GOD. God- Father the Creator, God-Son the Redeemer, also called Jesus the Christ, and God-Holy Spirit who is on Earth to help and teach Mankind all about God. To understand better you must read the Gospels to start with, and if there are more questions you have, jehj, get in touch with me, or any of the Christians here on the Christian Forums. Always remember, God is a God of Love, and Jesus will help and guide you in everything you want to know. Ask and you will be answered, it will have to be God first, or any of the true followers of JESUS. LOVE is the KEY to God, do not believe anything else, jehj. I say this humbly and with love, and send greetings. Emmy, sister in Christ.
 
Upvote 0