Would it be wrong for God to let everyone into Heaven?

[dazed]

I would love it. That would make my day.

But what if anyone could do anything they wanted to here on earth and there would be no negative consequences here on earth?

What if no STD's existed? If you're liberal what if no global warming produced by human behavior existed?

Hmm... what if I was the richest man in the world?

Eh... but consequences exist. I didn't create the rules.

Er, isn't that one of the main benefits of being a Christian? As a Buddhist, I lost track how many times I have this conversation with a Christian.

C: Accept Jesus and you will go to heaven.
Me: I'm been a very bad boy. I don't think Jesus will be able to save me.
C: No, Jesus is very loving and will forgive all sins.
Me: Really.
C: Yes, really. C'mon, go ahead and make my day.
Me: Er, would an evil person, like Dahmer, Hitler, Stalin, Mao.... get to heaven too if they accepted Jesus.
C: Well, it's an open invitation, so I guess they would be too.
Me: So, heaven is filled with evil doers with no punitive action for their behaviors on Earth?

 

[Inkachu]

Why would it be?

Actually I think what would be right if God really had the power to do anything, is to send people where they want to be sent to.

Each one's own heaven, in a sense, and not necessarily the magical world of care bears filled with unconditionnal love.

God doesn't exist to please US.

We exist to be in communion with HIM, our creator.

This thinking is the equivalent of a spoiled child making outrageous demands and then throwing a tantrum when their parents don't cater to their whims.

 

[Inkachu]

I suspect that, for some Christians, one of the rewards of heaven is knowing that the people who did wrong by them and didn't adopt their ways will be burning for an eternity.

If anyone who calls themself a Christian feels this way, they have serious work to do in their hearts. No one in Heaven will be feeling this.

 

[Inkachu]

Er, isn't that one of the main benefits of being a Christian? As a Buddhist, I lost track how many times I have this conversation with a Christian.

C: Accept Jesus and you will go to heaven.
Me: I'm been a very bad boy. I don't think Jesus will be able to save me.
C: No, Jesus is very loving and will forgive all sins.
Me: Really.
C: Yes, really. C'mon, go ahead and make my day.
Me: Er, would an evil person, like Dahmer, Hitler, Stalin, Mao.... get to heaven too if they accepted Jesus.
C: Well, it's an open invitation, so I guess they would be too.
Me: So, heaven is filled with evil doers with no punitive action for their behaviors on Earth?

We're ALL "evil doers" without Christ. And if an "evil person" accepted Jesus, their "evil" status ceases to exist.

Why would a person be resentful if another found grace and mercy? If they are, that speaks of THAT person's need to grow a little in their own maturity and humility.

 

[RDKirk]

I heard of a theologian who said there was no Biblical evidence of anyone being in Hell. What if God is into open door immigration into Heaven? Would that be okay?

From a Christian point of view God's actions define morality, therefore whatever God does, will be inherently right.

Debates today are over whether scripture contains sufficient information to determine what God is going to do in that future time. I'd point out that if that were actually the case--if scripture did indeed contain such sufficient information--then there would be no debate between honorable men.

Nor is it necessary for Christians to come to any hard conclusions about such things--the question has no relevance to the mission given the Body of Christ. It's a subject for the speculation of idle minds that are not fully bent to the mission we've been given.

 

[leftrightleftrightleft]

I heard of a theologian who said there was no Biblical evidence of anyone being in Hell. What if God is into open door immigration into Heaven? Would that be okay?

It would devalue our lives on Earth immensely. Suicide should be encouraged.

 

[keith99]

If God could let everyone into Heaven and still have it be Heaven then why didn't God just skip Earth as we know it and have Heaven on Earth?

I do not believe in any of the versions of the Christian God, but the one that is God as the uber-Djinn is the most unbelievable of the lot.

The idea that all that is needed is some formal acceptance of Christ is a close second.

If instead one says that implicit (or even explicit) in accepting Christ there is an agreement to allow, no not just allow but to work with Christ to change then only allowing Christians into Heaven makes some sense as it is only those who are in the process of being changed into something perfect.

 

[Belk]

 

[Skavau]

It would devalue our lives on Earth immensely. Suicide should be encouraged.

Yet if you believe in an eternal life as a reward or hell as punishment, I can't conceive in anyway how life would be considered meaningful in itself anyway.

 

[Inkachu]

I don't believe in eternal life as a "reward" but a gift offered freely to all.

Life remains meaningful because as screwed up at it is, this is still God's world, and there is still much to enjoy, people to love, and work to do in His name while we're here.

 

[Skavau]

I don't believe in eternal life as a "reward" but a gift offered freely to all.

Life remains meaningful because as screwed up at it is, this is still God's world, and there is still much to enjoy, people to love, and work to do in His name while we're here.

Yet it pales, in infinity to what comes next (according to your beliefs). There's only work to do here because God insists upon there being work to do here.

 

[Inkachu]

Yet it pales, in infinity to what comes next (according to your beliefs). There's only work to do here because God insists upon there being work to do here.

Sure, it pales in comparison. But since we can't compare to what we haven't experienced yet, I can definitely enjoy my earthly life to the fullest while I'm here. I don't feel deprived that I'm here and not in Heaven, but if it were reversed, and I'd been up there and had to come back here, I'm sure I would feel that way.

God doesn't "insist" on me doing anything. I have free will to be as active or as lazy for Him as I choose. I'd rather be active because I love Him and I love people and I believe in doing good for the joy of it, not because I'm trying to gain rewards in the afterlife. I'd do what I'm doing regardless.

 

[bhsmte]

I heard of a theologian who said there was no Biblical evidence of anyone being in Hell. What if God is into open door immigration into Heaven? Would that be okay?

Well, I think what has developed here, is the moral dilemma that has been created by the position; Christians despite the life they led, can be saved and go to heaven, while folks who are not Christian, go to hell despite living a good life.

Billy Graham dealt with this moral dilemma towards the end of his life and basically stated; one does not have to believe in Jesus for God to accept them.

 

[keith99]

I don't believe in eternal life as a "reward" but a gift offered freely to all.

Life remains meaningful because as screwed up at it is, this is still God's world, and there is still much to enjoy, people to love, and work to do in His name while we're here.

Have you read Weight of Glory by C.S. Lewis? I'm pretty sure that is where he talks about Heaven seeming to be a very mercenary proposition, at least at first glance. And it is very much a mercenary proposition if Heaven is the reward for believing the right way and doing good works. My feeling is this kind of thinking has only gotten worse since Lewis wrote it .

BUT Lewis goes on to show that there is a very different way of looking at heaven and that it is a right and proper reward. That for those who love God it is the natural and right reward for, just as Lewis claims marriage is the proper reward for one who loves their eventual spouse.

I think you fit that second situation.

 

[RDKirk]

Well, I think what has developed here, is the moral dilemma that has been created by the position; Christians despite the life they led, can be saved and go to heaven, while folks who are not Christian, go to hell despite living a good life.

The preponderance of Christian thought is not nearly that extreme. Regardless of pontificated base principles, most Christians cannot draw a distinct and practical line between "being Christian" and "doing Christian."

Some will say that to "be Christian" one must "do Christian." Others will say that to "do Christian" one must "be Christian. But there aren't many who will agree that someone who claims to be Christian can display nothing but evil in his life and in fact turn out to be saved, except as a theoretical possibility.

The debate is around "who is actually Christian?" which most Christians will agree none of us finally knows for any other individual.

 

[bhsmte]

The preponderance of Christian thought is not nearly that extreme. Regardless of pontificated base principles, most Christians cannot draw a distinct and practical line between "being Christian" and "doing Christian."

Some will say that to "be Christian" one must "do Christian." Others will say that to "do Christian" one must "be Christian. But there aren't many who will agree that someone who claims to be Christian can display nothing but evil in his life and in fact turn out to be saved, except as a theoretical possibility.

The debate is around "who is actually Christian?" which most Christians will agree none of us finally knows for any other individual.

I agree that Christian opinions on who goes to hell or heaven have evolved and are all over the map. With that said, would you subscribe to the theory; true Christians go to heaven and all non-Christians go to hell?

 

[Inkachu]

There's a fine and rather blurry line between "believe the right way" and "love God". It is very possible to believe in God and not love Him or follow Him. So yes, it takes more than belief. Even Satan "believes" in God (acknowledges His existence). I guess I'd say that salvation is a two-fold thing; you have to believe in the free gift offered by God, but then you have to enter into a personal relationship with Him based upon love.

 

[Inkachu]

I agree that Christian opinions on who goes to hell or heaven have evolved and are all over the map. With that said, would you subscribe to the theory; true Christians go to heaven and all non-Christians go to hell?

I've never heard much beyond the simple "those who profess Jesus as Lord and Savior go to Heaven".

What other theories are you hearing, and what groups, specifically, are saying them? I'm curious.

 

[RDKirk]

I agree that Christian opinions on who goes to hell or heaven have evolved and are all over the map. With that said, would you subscribe to the theory; true Christians go to heaven and all non-Christians go to hell?

Everyone in Heaven will be Christian...whether they had previously professed it during life or not.

CS Lewis has been mentioned. If you're read the last volume of his Narnia Chronicles "The Last Battle," Aslan brings into the New Narnia a soldier of the enemy Calormen. It turns out that the god that soldier had thought he was obedient to had always been Aslan...even though the soldier hadn't known it. By adhering to the principles of Aslan, he had been following Aslan all along.

 

[bhsmte]

Everyone in Heaven will be Christian...whether they had previously professed it during life or not.

CS Lewis has been mentioned. If you're read the last volume of his Narnia Chronicles "The Last Battle," Aslan brings into the New Narnia a soldier of the enemy Calormen. It turns out that the god that soldier had thought he was obedient to had always been Aslan...even though the soldier hadn't known it. By adhering to the principles of Aslan, he had been following Aslan all along.

Correct me if I misrepresent what you mean.

So, if someone lives a good life and does not believe Jesus was God and they die, they will then be in a position to recognize Jesus was God and since they lived a good life (like a Christian) they will be allowed to enter heaven?