[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
In a message dated 6/2/2004 9:53:56 PM Central Daylight Time,
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
DAVEH: I'm hung up on it because I find
the popular Christian perception to be very interesting. To me it is
obviously symbolic, but to most Christians it seems to be a literal
lake of fire. Yet (to me) it seems so illogical.That a loving God
would punitively punish people who never had the chance to
accept/believe Jesus by physically torturing them forever. Seems
pretty harsh.even for the wrath of God, does it not! Contrast that
to the Lord's story of the prodigal son.do you find both teachings
to be at odds?
I have been thinking about this
response. Putting aside those who die without the opportunity to hear
about Jesus,
DAVEH: Why do that, Laura. That seems like a
much more interesting topic than the one you question below.
Laura: Because I think there is a difference - I wonder how
many actually don't have a chance to hear the gospel but those who
reject I believe will end up in hell.
DAVEH: Pick an arbitrary number (%). You will be either high or low.
Does it really interest you one way or the other? On the other
hand.if only one person unjustly suffers the wrath of Godis
that not something you would find interesting? Does God actually
unjustly torture those who don't have the opportunity to learn of
Jesus? If find it intriguing that many Christians apparently believe
such, and wonder why they come to that conclusion when it seems the
Bible teaches otherwise.
What is your opinion of those who
deliberately choose not to accept the gift of salvation?
DAVEH: As I've said many times before in
TT..Jesus is not going to force anybody to heaven. So, if somebody
deliberately chooses not to be reside with him in heaven, he won't end
up there.
Having said that though..as I've also mentioned numerous times
in TT.I believe Jesus' resurrection applies to all men. All
(mortals) will be resurrected due to the grace of our Lord. So.in
a sense, even those who reject the gospel message will benefit from our
Savior's grace.
Surely you don't think they get a
second chance after death? Laura
DAVEH: The question becomes..how do you
define what constitutes a first chance. Does merely hearing Jesus'
name mean that one has been exposed enough to the gospel to be
convicted to a torturous eternal punishment if one does not grasp the
concept of the gospel message? Not in my opinion. I believe there are
a lot of folks who for numerous reasons simply do not understand the
Savior's gospel message. Will they be held accountable for their lack
of knowledge???.not in my opinion. At some point though, all
will understand it.as all knees will bow to our Lord.
Laura: I mean a chance to accept Christ after physical death.
DAVEH: Ignore for a moment your concern for a second chance
after death. (That is a different discussion, Laura.) Do you believe
those who do not have the chance to accept Jesus while in mortality,
will have a chance to accept him after death? To me, the Bible
suggests that is the case. Not only did some early Christians baptize
for the dead (which implies they thought the previously dead folks
would have a chance to accept Jesus in the post mortal realm), but I've
previously mentioned 1Pet 3:18-19 and 1Pet 4:6 as evidence that Jesus
preached the gospel to dead folks so that they could be judged as
though in the flesh, in order that they can live according to God.
What passages do you feel suggest that those who did not have the
opportunity to accept Jesus in mortality, would not have the chance
after death?
--
~~~
Dave Hansen
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.langlitz.com
~~~
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