Now this is my first post on this site and I'm not really looking for arguments or shooting down ideas, but I want to learn as I go through this spiritual journey. I have recently converted from Catholicism to Wicca. I have had several questions that concern all different denominations of Christianity, but I'll start with this simple one.
During my conversion, I found out 'Sin' isn't exactly what I thought it was since I was a kid. I thought Sin was all that was considered 'evil', but I realized that it is actually anything that goes against the Commandments or "The Lord's word". It may consider what is evil, such as killing and stealing, but in the Bible, it elaborates on many other things that don't seem to be considered evil such as tattoos or wearing two different kinds of fabric.
God of Abraham had committed serious and tragic acts such as the flood, but when I was a kid, I didn't think much of it; thought simply that the world was full of evil humans and he needed to reset it. But I soon realized that the world's animals had perished as well, and I doubt animals can be considered evil. Then there was the story of Job. When I read through that story, I came to realize that maybe God isn't actually considered good, he had tormented a faithful follower for a bet with Satan. He had committed acts that people would consider evil, but he is praised as a God of good. He had answered prayers and blessed people, yes, but I believe only his followers, as for anyone who didn't believe in him, they didn't get the same treatment, sometimes worse.
Jesus has always been a beacon of good and hope, and I agree, he had not committed any dark or cruel acts while he lived. But he differs from his father. They may be one and the same to most or all Christians, but to me they both differ heavily in choices. While his father would punish heavily, Jesus would forgive and ask others to love.
Lastly, I had believed access to heaven was simply be a good person in life, but right before moments of questioning my faith, I came to realize it's "Not enough" as most or all Christians would say. "Believe that Jesus died for our sins, pray for forgiveness" and you will get into heaven. But that would mean a ruthless killer will a murder streak would have a better chance of getting into heaven than a pure hearted atheist who had done little to no wrong in life.
A good alignment isn't held higher than belief. The killer would have a good chance in access to the 'Kingdom' if he asks for forgiveness and praises Jesus' name right before death. But why? If a righteous heart isn't as important as believing in the deity, then is Abraham's God truly good?
In Dungeons and Dragons, there's a list of fictional Gods and Goddesses with their alignment to the side (Good, Evil, Chaotic, Lawful, Neutral). I would have to say that Abraham's God is possibly Lawful Neutral at best. Some people actually state that he is evil. Some say he's actually Satan, deceiving the Christians. There's a lot of speculation going on because of these thoughts.
LanternBearer,
You have made the greatest mistake you could ever have made. Instead fo going to the word of athe Almighty God, whose Proper, and Personal name is, Jehovah, you went to Satan and formed beliefs, and start to criticize The Only True God, that has your life and breath in His hands. It is a good thing for all of us that God is Good and ready to forgive, Psalm 86:5.
In the very first place you MUST put away any thinking that God is unjust in any way, Deuteronomy 32:4, Job 34:10,12.
There is no way that we can be acceptable to God if we question why He did everything, Job 40:2, 42:5,6, Romans 9:14,15,19-21. Everything we need is already written in the Holy Scriptures, Matthew 6:8.
Are we as wise as the one Perfect in knowledge? Job 36:4, 37:5,16, especially 40:8, Isaiah 55:6-9, 1Corinthians 3:18-20.
Even things that seem wrong to us, definitely are not wrong, or God would not do it. Even when God brings destruction on nations, it is for the good of others, the peaceful ones, who could not enjoy their lives with so many wicked disrupting everything.
The Bible tells us that Jesus is exactly like Jehovah, his Father, Hebrews 1:3, Colossions 1:15. Jesus even said that if you have seen him, you have seen the Father, they are so much alike.
The great ransom sacrifice of Jesus, is so great in God's eyes, that He can forgive anyone and everyone, of their sins if they have faith in the ransom sacrifice of Jesus.
In order to survive we must learn about the Only True God and about the one He sent to earth, as our savior, John 17:3, 2Thessalonians 1:6-10.
Other points to think about, Psalms 146:3,4, Jeremiah 17:5, Joel 2:32, Romans 10:13, Romans 2:23,24.
Pray to God, Jehovah, through Jesus Christ, for His Holy Spirit, to help you understand His words. The main reason that people cannot understand tha Bible is their HEART condition, Daniel 12:10, Isaiah 26:10, Jeremiah 17:9, Matthew 13:13-15, Mark 7:21-23, Proverbs 2:1-12, Proverbs 28:26. Proverbs 3:5,6.
