I should note that the estimate of the number of failures in the OP is by no means based on any definite information. Most Christians (although not necessarily most here) think many non-Christians may be saved. There is also a fairly small minority that think everyone will eventually be saved, although that's considered unorthodox.
You mention killing whole cities that didn't pass. I note that many of us (though a minority) don't regard that section of the Bible as historical. The New Testament is based on information from pretty near the events. There's also reason to think that there were records for much of the OT history. But almost certainly not for Genesis and Exodus.
There's a pretty widespread definition that a Christian is one who has Christ as Lord and Savior. Jesus himself says that means following his teachings, which of course include not just things like treating others well but prayer and loving God. I wouldn't consider beliefs about ancient history as an essential element in following Christ, nor is thinking that the Bible was written by people in a very different culture than ours a problem. In fact it seems obviously true.
Of course I'm categorized as a liberal, which many Christians think is a dirty word. But there are a fair number of us among both Catholics and Protestants.
Fabulous response, thank you. It's absolutely true the failure estimate is an educated guess based on what Jesus said it takes to make the cut. Jesus talks about hell WAY more than heaven, and I always wondered how scare tactics could possibly produce faithful followers. "I choose to believe because I'm scared of death". Well, I'm not scared of death, and I can't WAIT to get out of here. My greatest hope is that we blip into nothingness, exactly as the time up to our birth. I'm not afraid of the time before my birth - why would I
not be anxious to get back to it
ASAP - because this place is obviously very, very broken - and I'll PASS PLEASE.
My greatest fear is that our souls are immortal, and I will continue on in some form after death, forever. I want the option of non-existence. I would trade this dumpster fire of a world (and anything that comes after it) for non-existence this very moment, if I could. Not suicide, but having never been born. Although, suicide is also quite attractive. One seems impossible, the other is
totally under my control. I feel like I should have the right to choose to be here or not. I pick not. So much not.
You say "I [you] wouldn't consider beliefs about ancient history as an essential element in following Christ, nor is thinking that the Bible was written by people in a very different culture than ours a problem. In fact it seems obviously true."
This I don't understand. If the basic premise does not make sense to you, nothing else will, either. I
have to start at the beginning, and it has to make some sort of sense. Rational sense. Logical. Lofty theological concepts can be imminently logical, since logic is
not a human construct. I just can't find any, or anyone to point them out for me.
You mention the variety of viewpoints on this matter from the faithful. I believe this illustrates how vague the Bible is, or we wouldn't all be having regular demoralizing arguments over interpretation. This must have been intentional. That brings me full circle back to translation. The reason being this literature is so old and has been translated so, so many times, to quote the 3 amigos: "I do not think it means what you think it means". +3 points if you remember that scene. I have a feeling lots of people (read: leadership) believe they have a secure grasp of Biblical concepts, but in actuality, it's all just guesswork that varies with each different iteration of Christianity. The differences are not perfunctory.
This became too long, I'll stop here.
