Harrism writes:
Don't carnivors based in remote islands in the world (the point hasn't anything to do with which tribe and so-forth) have the same chance of getting into heaven as we do. Despite they're breaking one of our commandments?
What I mean to say is, they believe with their entire hearts that what they are doing is right, they haven't been influcenced by our God, so is that their fault, ours or Gods? So could they still be given the same chance as us to entering heaven, since what they are doing is as right to them as killing is wrong to us.
They may have not had their sins removed from the death of Jesus, but when did they ever commit a sin within their citizity?
I think that I understand what you are saying. I once saw a National Geographic show that highlighted this tribesman who was from a tribe that worshipped the volcano. His job in life was to mine sulpher from near the mouth of the sleeping mountain. His passion in life was to make a better way for his kids. The Bible says that everyone intuitively knows enough to make a choice in their heart, despite never hearing the religious stuff. I saw a good piece on the narrowness of Christian truth.
AIA writes:
If we were to test each plan of salvation, all would fail except Christianity. To test each plan would be incredibly inefficient. It would be like having five thousand cars in a parking lot, only one of which has an engine, and trying every single one to find the one that worked. You could try 4,999 unsuccessfully and know without even turning the key that car 5,000 works. However, if the person who put the cars in the parking lot and chose the one with the engine were to tell you where that car is, pointed it out, led you to it, sat you in the seat, and even turned the key for you, people would call you a fool to insist, "You're too narrow-minded and intolerant. I'd rather try a few other cars first. I have my own ideas about where the engine is."
Christianity is the car with the engine. It fits the facts, makes sense, perfectly reflects God's nature and character, and tells the truth about human nature and our predicament separated from God by sin. If we are created in the image of the God described in the Bible, if we are separated from Him by our own sin, and if He loves us so much that He would provide Himself a sacrifice for human sin that reconciles His justice and mercy, wouldn't it make sense for Him to come Himself, demonstrate His identity and authority through His words and works, and then point us to the only way?
I guess the question that I would ask at this point is whether EVERYONE is given a chance to hear the TRUTH? My quick answer is that I believe that everyone gets a chance before they are judged, since one cannot be judged without knowing what they are guilty of. This whole "Jesus thing" breaks it down into four basic premises.
quote:
Principle One: God loves you and offers a wonderful plan for your life.
How do we know? What do YOU think?
quote:
Principle Two: All of us are sinful and separated from God. Therefore we cannot know and experience God's love and plan for our life.
One person I know has issues with this one. I don't think that He believes in God as defined, so He asserts rules for God to follow on one hand, and uses scripture to back his own assertions, daring anyone to out think him.
quote:
Three: Jesus Christ is God's only provision for our sin. Through him we can know and experience God's love and plan for our life.
Again, a matter of Belief. It makes sense to me that God is represented in a character that we can understand. IF the spiritual battle described in the Bible actually is real, it would follow that many mere humans with great minds but no heart would try and themselves raise up with the answers. They will denounce Jesus whenever they can, yet assert that their path of logic is surely the REAL answer. Indeed, they often use scripture to justify themselves.
quote:
Four: We must individually accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; then we can know and experience God's love and plan for our life.
I have accepted Him. I am glad that I did. To those who have not done so, I will not try and convince you, because everyone should be allowed to think and reason through their choices in life. At any rate, the "Jesus Thing" is not a religion. It is a relationship. Anyone is free to pursue other relationships in life as well.
Harrism writes:
If you cant prove just one side, then why not try proving both?
So try proving my point for me, Harrism. Just for grins.
Harrism writes:
But how can anyone know the difference of right and wrong? It's something that is taught to a infant. Should you teach him stealing is right, and encourage him to steal from others. He won't learn it's wrong, and will carry on doing so for the rest of his life, because you taught him that was right. What I mean to say is, what's the difference between right and wrong?
Have you ever watched an infant? There are times when they do something that they know is wrong, because it has been instilled as a wrong by their parents. Other times, they have yet to learn what is right/wrong.
There is an age of accountability. Five year olds never go to prison.
Much of this debate also centers on truth as absolute or as a relative concept. Some things in life are absolutes. Gravity is a good example. One could assert that gravity is non absolute in space.
One could also assert that Love is an absolute. One could suggest that Hell, by definition, is a place where love is a non absolute. The very existence of the spirit of rebellion manifested in Lucifer made the relativistic alternative thought processes in our minds
spring to life. The question, then, is whether one should seek one or another. Like the cars in that massive parking lot. Which one gets you anywhere?
This message has been edited by Phatboy, 10-18-2004 05:46 AM
™ Version 4.2
