Comments on: A “Better” Christianity (Part 3: The World’s Not Going To Hell)

By: My Neighbor Isn’t Going To Hell, Right? « Out Of My Falkan Mind

My Neighbor Isn’t Going To Hell, Right? « Out Of My Falkan Mind — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 17:49:52 +0000

[...] Gospel–is it fair they go to hell? If you are interested in that topic, I suggest you read that post. In today’s post, I want to focus on my next-door neighbor or the people in our own [...]

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By: Tim

Tim — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:29:12 +0000

I understand why it’s so difficult to read. My purpose in writing this is to appeal to those who would write off my position as if it’s some new, radical idea I’ve developed. I am simply stating that my position isn’t new–nor is it arrogant, judgmental, or narrow-minded. It’s taught throughout Scripture (like the verse you quoted) and it’s obvious by the apostles’ teachings and their lives that they saw things similarly. Do we consider Scripture or the apostles as arrogant, judgmental, or narrow-minded? It’s also interesting to see how Wesley viewed these things compared to many modern Methodists today.

If anyone disagrees with this notion I’ve laid out–how have you reconciled all these Bible passages presented in the past few posts? Do you have a different interpretation of what Jesus or the other authors were trying to say? I think that’s valid, as long as you aren’t dismissing the passages, and instead giving an alternate understanding that better explains what the author was intending. If this is the case, I really desire to know it. It is imperative that we follow what Jesus and His apostles were intending to convey to us–not my own opinion on things.

Or instead do you regard all these Bible passages as flawed understandings of God? If so, why do you claim a superior understanding of Jesus contrary to that of Scripture or the apostles who walked and talked with him? Couldn’t that be considered arrogant and close-minded to reject the message of the very people Jesus himself picked to teach and spread it? Is He now picking you to correct where they went wrong?

Lastly, regarding the reasons why this post is so difficult to read, I agree with your reason. I also think it’s because we want to give ourselves permission to not take the Gospel to other parts of the world, because we like to remain in our comfortable lives in the US. Or it helps us sleep better at night believing that the world is generally OK. In addition, I think we haven’t possibly seen our own condition for what it really is–that I really do deserve hell and am a wretched sinner. I think when someone realizes that this is true for them, they then realize it’s true for their fellow man. When we realize all that Christ has done for us–from what depths we have come–it surely motivates us to forsake our lives and live for Jesus.

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By: joel

joel — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 07:43:35 +0000

“How will they know… unless I go?”

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By: Drew

Drew — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 05:19:21 +0000

Since I don’t have to restrain myself from Paul as you are doing, here’s Romans 10:14-15.

“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’”

This post is without a doubt the most difficult one to read because the idea of people being punished for what they do not know is difficult to take, even though I believe it to be true. The issue, and you covered it relatively well, is that we are all worthy of punishment. The real question is whether we receive forgiveness from that punishment. I think the reason for this is that in Western thought we value liberty so much that we believe that the person who minds his or her own business is an innocent unworthy of punishment. He or she is not threatening anyone’s liberty so he or she is doing all that can be expected in civil society. The Biblical teaching that all are depraved is completely contradictory to this notion.

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