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The contradiction is this...
I know I did. Salvation is only attainable through Christ. Had He not paid for our sins, we would be unworthy to return to God. Had He not risen on the third day following His death, we could not look forward to being resurrected either. Had He not promised to be our Mediator with the Father, we would have no mediator.
who will come around to realizing who Jesus Christ really was and what His atoning sacrifice means to them. This may not be during their mortal lives, but it will be before it is too late.
Secondly, we don't believe that the doors to heaven swing shut at death. We believe in an interim period of time, between death and the resurrection, when those who have not had an adequate opportunity to hear, understand, and accept the gospel of Jesus Christ will have that chance. For us, it's not a contradiction at all to believe that Jesus Christ is the only means by which we can be saved and to believe that there are millions of Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists and atheists
I don't. They still believe everyone is saved by Christ.And you do not find this contradictory to the above mentioned scripture?
I know Storm, guess it is hard to wrap my former Baptist self around it. **sigh**
No. You don't have to be a Christian to go to Heaven. It is through Jesus Christ's atonement that all blessings are available to mankind. The blessings we receive (the varying degrees of heavenly glory) are contingent upon our obedience, faithfulness and righteousness.And you do not find this contradictory to the above mentioned scripture?
Sure, no problemo.
Its obvious that not all get an equal chance to become a Christian. For example, a child born in India (where 80% of the population is Hindu) does not have the same chance of becoming Christian as a child born in the USA (where I think 70%+ are Christian?).
I don't know why, but for some reason many Christians seem to think that you will be held accountable for not following, once you have simply "heard" of the Bible. Hearing of the Bible does not make everything all equal.
Obviously this is not at all fair. So does God either let non-Christians into heaven or does he give some a MUCH better chance than others? I don't see any other way around it
Ah so we are talking about a fickle God who does what he wants, regardless of the actions of men.
If your version of god that you choose to believe in demands that people worship him in a precise way or he will not allow them into his little country club...then I have bad news for you...he's egotistical.
So, essentially, your god is like a conceited chef. Made a meal he expects everyone to love and can't handle it that some people simply don't care for it and are happy with another cook's meal. Now he stomps his feet and throws a tantrum and demands that those people aren't ever allowed back in the restaurant again.
Might be true. Because the afterlife I know of is much better than the description of "heaven".
Really? Sounds like people who are loving and generous and accepting of others seem to want to act that way towards others regardless of a god that wants them to be as petty and exclusive as he is.
I totally understand Katzpur's statement about being grateful for the god she worships and not imagining worshipping yours. I quite agree. I prefer not worshipping a petty, jealous, vindictive, and temper-tantrum throwing abusive parent. But hey, I guess that's just us.
I actually do think that you and I believe in the same God. My comment was made in a moment of utter frustratation. We clearly understand Him quite differently, though.
How on earth could you have come to that conclusion based on what I said is beyond me. Actually, I believe you're wrong on both counts. If anyone's understanding of God and Heaven are limited, it's yours, not mine. Your understanding of God and Heaven is limited to the Bible. My understanding of God and Heaven is expanded to include not only an account of God's dealings with His children in the Eastern Hemisphere, but an account of His dealings with his "other sheep" in the Western Hemisphere. It is further enhanced by the words of living prophets, personally chosen by God, through whom he continues to communicate in order that the purety of His word will be maintained and not corrupted by the philosophies of men. Granted, both of us have the Holy Ghost to confirm to us what is true and what is false. Unfortunately, we don't seem to be getting the same message from Him. With respect to my "ego," it doesn't need to be saved. I'm not the one who is insisting that only a relative few -- including you, but not including Draka, for instance -- will be granted the blessing of living in Heaven forever. From where I'm sitting, it looks like you're the one with the fragile ego.
During the three day period following His death, Jesus Christ (in spirit form) visited the spirits of the wicked who were consigned to "Prison" after their deaths. They had died without the opportunity to hear His gospel and to understand how He had atoned for their sins. He taught them His gospel. While not all accepted it, some did, and were consequently released from the state of anguish they were in prior to receiving the knowledge of His love and grace. There are people in the Spirit Prison today, people who might have very well lived their lives quite differently had they had the same knowledge you have. Paradise, too, continues to exist today. The spirits of the righteous are there. One such spirit belongs to a repentant thief who hung next to Jesus on the cross. Jesus recognized that this man had a good heart, regardless of the fact that, like everyone else who has ever lived, he had made mistakes during his life. Many of the spirits of those who are now in Paradise awaiting the resurrection and final judgment are good people (Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and yes -- even pagans and atheists
It is egotistical just to be demanding of worship. People should want to give honor and reverence to a deity. Not feel like if they don't they will be punished. That's like trying to force love. Shouldn't be done and CAN'T be done honestly. Damn man, even a witch knows those boundaries and morals.
Does not compel anyone??? Are you serious??? Worship me and accept me or go to hell and eternal damnation is the equivalent of pointing a gun to someones head and saying do my will or die! This is freewill?
And you forgot "But he loves you"!!!
What other messages are you referring to? Where, besides the Bible, do you look to find God's word? And maybe I'm reading you wrong, but I can assure you that none of my beliefs invalidate the Bible -- or attempt to.
There are many more who refuse to acknowledge His prophets and who have, in effect, told Him it's time for Him to shut up.
I agree. But how would you explain the fact that two equally sincere individuals, both looking for the truth, do not understand the scriptures the same way?
Well, I'm in no hurry to go there either. I do hope to some day, though. Don't you? Besides, you do have personal needs; all of us do. To perfectly honest, your statement strikes me as being extremely self-righteous.
Of course He wouldn't force anyone, but He would at least give them a chance!
I wasn't aware that you were dead.
It sounds as if you reject the concept of free will. If that's the case, we'll never see eye to eye on this. I believe obedience is our choice.
I agree that He will reveal Himself to those who seek Him earnestly. I'm just not naive enough to insist that it will be during their mortal lives. That's why I believe the gospel continues to be spread in the Spirit World.