Question

[Arafat]

Fine replies.

Thanks.

 

[IWantToBelieve]

I think that it's a shame if nonbelievers are sent to hell for not believing in jesus. There are plenty of really nice people in the world of all faiths. In this mixed up world of ours, there's no definate reason to choose between one religion or another, except for one's personal faith. So it's not really everyone's fault if they choose not to accept christianity as their religion. There are plenty of people in this world that prefer fact over "just believing", such as myself. And who am I to be reassured that religion A is any more correct than religion B? Simply put, if everyone in the world was supposed to believe in jesus christ, it's not obvious by today's standards. At the very least, god could save many great people from an eternity in hell by giving some scientific proof of his existance to ease the minds of those who arent entirely convinced by faith alone. That's just my $0.02.

 

[ebia]

At the very least, god could save many great people from an eternity in hell by giving some scientific proof of his existance ...

How could he do that? Science has no tools for investigating or talking about God. It's a bit like asking for mathematical proof that my pencil sharpener is green.

 

[IWantToBelieve]

How could he do that?

He's God, I'm sure he can do anything he wants. He made the earth in 6 days didnt he? Do you not think that he could help us prove that he exists?

 

[heron]

Those are not rules that we make up and monitor. We (Christians) are not the ones who send people anywhere when they die. Each one of us is a dust-to-dust creature, subject to the laws of nature and the plans of the Creator.

I do want to add, however, that God does show respect for people who are considerate and fair and generous and honest. Back before Christianity and even Judaism, God was still the decision-maker. He honored Noah with information to save his family ... and Noah listened. God honored Moses with a way to save an entire nation of people... and Moses listened. Sometimes God's favor is so much simpler than we make it sound.

 

[GrayAngel]

1 Corinthians 15: 45-49 : So it is written: "The first man Adam became a living being"; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. 46The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven. 48As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the man from heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven.

John 14:6 : Jesus answered "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Only people born in the "second Adam" will enter Heaven.

He's God, I'm sure he can do anything he wants. He made the earth in 6 days didnt he? Do you not think that he could help us prove that he exists?

God doesn't want people to follow Him because they know He exists, He wants followers who love Him.

 

[IWantToBelieve]

God doesn't want people to follow Him because they know He exists, He wants followers who love Him.

If I knew he was actually there, I'd certainly love him. But I cant love something that I dont know is even real. There are many other people out there who feel the same way.

 

[ebia]

He's God, I'm sure he can do anything he wants.

He can't do the logically nonsensical, and proving God exists through science is as logically nonsensical as drawing a square circle.

He made the earth in 6 days didnt he?

No.

Do you not think that he could help us prove that he exists?

Not through a discipline that, by definition, cannot investigate him.

 

[IWantToBelieve]

He can't do the logically nonsensical, and proving God exists through science is as logically nonsensical as drawing a square circle.

That's wierd.... I thought god could do anything.

 

[heron]

You know better than to get caught up in word plays and generalizations. Just pace yourself, and expect that learning more about God is a lifelong process.

In marriage and friendships, we learn new things all the time, even when having known enough to commit to love. But appreciations change, and respect grows over time. Loving God begins with an interest in loving God, just as you have expressed. He will reveal Himself to you little by little as you step forward in asking to know Him more.

 

[IWantToBelieve]

Yeah, but 12 years without a sign from god is enough to make the whole christian experience dull for me. It was a bit like talking to a brick wall.

 

[salida]

Do you believe that people who do good things and work to make the World a better place, are going to hell because they may not be Christians?

Yes, because God gives us a big hint that He exists in Jesus. His creation and in the Book of Acts - it states that everyone was born at a certain time and place so that they may get to know Him (Jesus). God does all he can except override our free will to choose.

We just don't believe in a "religion". The Bible is the most true book in the world - if people made an intellectual decision everyone would be turning to christianity; BUT its a spiritual decision not intellectual. Don't take my word - there are many great books and information on this out there. If you want to know them let me know.

 

[Exegete12]

Do you believe that people who do good things and work to make the World a better place, are going to hell because they may not be Christians?

Let God be the judge.

We are to judge no man on whether he goes to heaven or hell, that is God's call. We can only show them the way.

There are scriptural examples of those who are Christians performing miracles, Jesus having to declare 'depart from me...', and on the other side of the coin there are those that Jesus recognised ... although not being in the faith.... such as Cornelius (although not a Jew ... which in that period of time was the way to God), was declared to be a devout worshipper of God.

IMHO I think we may get a few slight surprises when we go to heaven. However, if we KNOW that Jesus Christ is THE WAY, and fail to recognise this after be shown, then on that we will have to give an account of in the day of reckoning. Even for Christians we are to hold steadfast our faith.

 

[Exegete12]

That's wierd.... I thought god could do anything.

God CAN do anything, but ethically CAN'T.

 

[IWantToBelieve]

God CAN do anything, but ethically CAN'T.

So he wouldnt ethically save a few billion nonbelievers by giving them a little proof that he's real? I dont think that's too big of a favor to ask considering that those people might be going to hell for all of eternity if there really is a god. If anything, it'd sure cure up awhole lot of the confusions that we have.

 

[Exegete12]

So he wouldnt ethically save a few billion nonbelievers by giving them a little proof that he's real? I dont think that's too big of a favor to ask considering that those people might be going to hell for all of eternity if there really is a god. If anything, it'd sure cure up awhole lot of the confusions that we have.

He gave that proof in sending His Son – the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

[IWantToBelieve]

He gave that proof in sending His Son – the Lord Jesus Christ.

And how do we know that that's true?

 

[kamikat]

And how do we know that that's true?

Are you asking how do we know if Jesus really existed or how we know Jesus is the Lord? Those are two different questions that require two different answers.

 

[heron]

Were there a lot of people at your previous church who raved about hearing and feeling God? I ask that because sometimes that sensitivity and gift turns into a warped spiritual competition. Some people seem wired for higher sensitivity to the unseen. It's not always a reflection of closeness to God.

I also find that God grants people access to His voice and plan when they plan to do something with the information. He gives to people who will carry it out. When God asked Moses to lead the people of Israel out of bondage, there was no evidence that Moses had a great relationship with God. He was just the right man for the job.

And I'm not saying that God is haphazard and only focused on His own plans, but that if we follow through with what He gives us, He will give us more. If we pray for others that He has brought to mind, He will let us in on more people to pray for.

I know that you have tried, and you have invested a lot of effort into knowing God better. This is a lifelong search for insight. And if someone tells you they know everything about how God works, they are jumping the gun.

 

[IWantToBelieve]

Are you asking how do we know if Jesus really existed or how we know Jesus is the Lord? Those are two different questions that require two different answers.

How do we know if Jesus really existed.

Were there a lot of people at your previous church who raved about hearing and feeling God? I ask that because sometimes that sensitivity and gift turns into a warped spiritual competition. Some people seem wired for higher sensitivity to the unseen. It's not always a reflection of closeness to God.

Actually, noone in my church talked like that. A majority of every other christians say that, though.