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 Rob Bell is under fire for his latest book before it even hits the shelves.
March 1st, 2011
06:00 AM ET
Christian author's book sparks charges of heresyBy Eric Marrapodi, CNN Belief Blog Co-Editor Rob Bell, a pastor and author who has achieved rock star status in the Christian world, is preaching a false gospel, his critics say. And some of those critics are Christian rock stars in their own right. The pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Bell has authored a book called Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived, which ignited a firestorm of controversy over the weekend, weeks before it arrives in bookstores. On Saturday, in a blog post on the popular Christian website The Gospel Coalition, Justin Taylor blasted Bell's new book, out March 29, for teaching "false doctrine":
Universalism, in its broadest terms, preaches that everyone goes to heaven and that there is no hell. Critics say it represents a break from traditional Christianity, which they say holds that heaven and hell are very real places. In most Christian circles, universalism is a dirty word. Taylor's post was quickly tweeted by several prominent pastors, including John Piper and Mark Driscoll, connected to the Gospel Coalition, a coalition of theologically conservative evangelical churches, and a full-blown theological controversy was on. By Monday, Taylor's response post had racked up a quarter million hits. Other bloggers, meanwhile, are calling Bell an outright heretic. Bell is not the first prominent Christian pastor to be recently accused of wading into theologically troubled waters. Bishop Carlton Pearson, once a mentee of famed Pentecostal televangelist Oral Roberts, has been run out of two churches and branded a heretic for preaching what he says is a gospel of inclusion with broad universalist themes. Last year, Brian McLaren - a popular Christian author and a former pastor - was accused of breaking with Christian orthodoxy and delving headlong into universalism in his book A New Kind of Christianity. But it's rare that theological arguments become top ten trending topics on Twitter, as Rob Bell did on Saturday. “To be honest, it was a pretty rough weekend,” Taylor said in a phone interview. The 34-year-old heads the editorial content for Crossway, a Christian publishing company in Wheaton, Illinois. Taylor he says his blog expresses his personal opinion not the opinion of the coalition. "We’re talking about the big things here, things that have been historically defined as orthodox, " he said. "I have a high degree of confidence in what God is saying and what we can understand." Though many things that separate Catholics, Protestants, and Orthodox Christians, “this isn’t one of them," Taylor said. "We’ve historically agreed on many things, the person of Christ, heaven and hell. This isn’t a peripheral academic debate. What Rob Bell is talking about gets to the heart of Christianity.” Taylor has not read Bell's forthcoming book in its entirety. His blog post was in response to the description released by Bell publisher HarperOne and a promotional video that features Bell. "Rob Bell hasn’t sinned against me personally,” Taylor said, which is why he did not go to Bell before making his comments public. Instead, Taylor said, Bell's book represents a clear example of false teaching. In the promotional video Bell refers to the nonviolent Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi, a Hindu, and asks, "Gandhi's in hell? He is?" "And someone knows this for sure?" Bell continues. "Will billions and billions of people burn forever in hell? And if that's the case how do you become one of the few? " The video follows a trend in Bell's career as a pastor: he has long asked tough theological questions and challenged traditional answers. The short promotional video raises lots of questions without offering definitive answers. "What we believe about heaven and hell is incredibly important because it exposes what we believe about who God is and what God is like," Bell says in it. " The good news is that love wins." Those lines raised eyebrows for Taylor and others. "It is not preaching the gospel as found in the New Testament," Taylor said. "The New Testament is pretty clear if someone preaches a false gospel… that we are to reject that and have nothing to do with them." For all his hipster leanings - including black rimmed glasses - Bell has a traditional pedigree. He went to Wheaton College, the Harvard of Christian schools, and later graduated from Fuller Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity. But the Mars Hill Bible Church, which Bell founded, is not attached to any denomination. Were it attached to one - the Presbyterian or Catholic church, say - his book and video could raise eyebrows in the hierarchy and might lead to a church trial that could result in Bell's expulsion. "A larger denomination would take his credentials and excommunicate him like they did to me,” Bishop Pearson told CNN. By Sunday evening, Pearson was getting sent articles about the Bell flap. He said it reminded him of his days as a charismatic leader of a big church in the largest Pentecostal denomination. His questioning of hell from the pulpit led to his ouster. "What happened to me is happening to Rob Bell," Pearson said. "If you denounce hell, it's like you are denouncing God. You’re going to be called a heretic." “I thought my people loved me and would walk through the valley of the shadow of death with me, but they didn’t,” Pearson said. Bell's church did not respond to requests for an interview. His Twitter feed has been silent since he posted about writing a piece for CNN's Belief Blog a few weeks ago. His publicist at HarperOne said he would not be doing publicity until his book hits shelves. soundoff (2,200 Responses)« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 Next »
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The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
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Shocking. People disagree about the nature of their belief in the proper workings of magic. All this time and they're still busy debating the presence/absence of Adam's belly button and how many angels could fit on the head of a pin. How do otherwise rational people swallow such blatant insanity? Oh yeah, their jaws unhinge like a snake's in response to their crippling fear of their own mortality...
"How do otherwise rational people swallow such blatant insanity?"
I often wonder the same thing. How can otherwise intelligent, rational people suddenly turn into mindless lemmings when it comes to this stuff? How are they able to turn the rationalization button off? This makes no sense! I can only conclude that it is brainwashing, and it is irreversible. The only way to stop it is to prevent it in the first place.
@Godless
And with that thinking you start to sound just like every religous fanatic, or crazed dictator who wanted to silence others for not believing the way that they did. This is why people should not believe in absolutes of belief systems. The mind is meant to be kept free and open. Once you take a side and shut out any possibility of the other side of thinking, one can become fanatical. This goes for believers or non-believers of anything from religion to politics.
G,
Aristotle in addressing the art of persuasion argues that everyone draws his/her conclusions based on three factors, logos (intellect), pathos (emotion), ethos (social). Even an athiest comes to his/her beliefs based only on 1/3 of what he/she has observed/learned. The other 2/3 are rooted in emotionalism and social influence. Don't be quick to accuse christians of something you yourself are guilty of. That being, partially emotinally driven etc.
Really? So by not believing in fairy tales I'm just like a fanatic? What do you call scientists who don't believe the earth is flat?
I've said it before on these pages, if god wants to make it crystal clear to this planet that he/she/it is real (and I mean crystal clear), then I will be the first to come and say I was wrong and I will gladly drink the kool aid. But without proof, there's no reason for me to believe it is any more true than there is reason to believe that there's a planet where pink unicorns rule the world.
G,
You fail to realize that your belief requires just as much faith to ingest as the religious. You nor anyone else has proven the non existence of God. You can only point to "evidence" as does the christian. The test and reliability of the evidence will determine the sway. You don't have a winnable case. Wishing something does not exist is as juvenile as wishing something does exist. Nature does not support your conclusions.
Hilltop, how is one to prove a negative? It can't be done. It's like asking me to disprove that just beyond our galaxy, there is a planet full of orange unicorns who are constantly at war with blue dinosaurs. You're right, I can't prove there is no god, but the burden is not on me, the burden is on the believers to prove it positively. I don't have faith (or a wish) that there is no god – I acknowledge that there is no evidence to support that idea. If evidence were to be provided and verified, then yes, I would and could accept that.
G,
May I posit the same question for you. Supply me with evidence that God does not exist and I will yield. Niether of us can make an airtight argument, but I am willing to allow for the evidence to speak for themselves.
.
Look, it's REALLY simple. There is no god. Man created god, not the other way around. Ask yourself why you have faith. I bet it's because you were taught it from childhood. Think people. Think.
Exactly. It amazes me that more people can't see this.
You know what Mark, you have believe it or not God has or will make his presence known to you and at that Momment you will have a decision to make. You will either reject him or accept him as God. If you ask him to reveal himself to you personally he will. I promise you he will. Just so you can't say to him that he never made himself known to you when judgment day comes. I was as skeptical as they come. But I have no doubt at all about who God is and what he has done for me.
Hilltop, how is one to prove a negative? It can't be done. It's like asking me to disprove that just beyond our galaxy, there is a planet full of orange unicorns who are constantly at war with blue dinosaurs. You're right, I can't prove there is no god, but the burden is not on me, the burden is on the believers to prove it positively. I don't have faith (or a wish) that there is no god – I acknowledge that there is no evidence to support that idea. If evidence were to be provided and verified, then yes, I would and could accept that.
This is a distortion of the nature of God. God is love, but He is also just. Justice demands that wrongs be righted. If wrong is allowed to persist without a just response, then survival of the fittest rules the day. A person or diety who operates in this fashion will inevitably prove tryannical. The God of the bible addresses the issue of justice. He paid for all of the wrongs in the world by placing it on His Son Jesus Christ when He was killed on the cross. The death of Jesus satisfied the justice of God. Everyone who takes refuge under Christ can freely receive forgiveness for their wrongs because Christ took their place. Anyone who wants to pay for their own wrongs will also be given the opportunity to do so because justice must be served. You can choose to face God on your own, or you can let Jesus Christ represent you. He has never lost a case. God is love, that is why He sent Jesus to take your place, God is also just, that is why if you don't want for Him to pay for your wrongs, then you will have to pay it yourself. Every wrong will be accounted for. Don't get caught broke. Let Jesus pay it for you.
This is where I question Christianity's teaching of the sacrifice of Christ. The religion teaches people that Christ "literally" died for our sins, but I think it is misinterpreted. I believe the teaching of Jesus was to be "LIKE HIM" which was self sacrificing, and hence you could "ascend" like he did, by raising your inner spirit to that of "Christ Conciousness".
This is why I had to stop following the moder teachings of Christianity, because if you read Jesus' words in the Bible, and his parables, as well as the teachings of other "avatars" such as Buddha, they all spoke of elevating and ascending your spirity back to the "Light".
Way,
What about the issue of wrongs? Are we to believe that wrongs disappear into oblivion?
hilltop,
"... let Jesus Christ represent you. He has never lost a case."
What is the evidence for this?
Some,
The millions of changed lives throughout history is a good place to start. Christ made beauty out of deep brokenness. My life personally has been profoundly impacted by His love. From a vile, arrogant and angry person to a grateful servant. My apologies for such a subjective answer, but it has been transformative for me. The peace I now have continues to surprise me.
I am Pagan, and I am proud! I am so glad I don't have to worry about any of this!
What Belief? Unicorns? Fairies? Trees? Nature?
@Kelly you say you are Pagan.. so what is your belief? Fairies? Nature?
It's sad when Christians are so ignorant about other's beliefs.
I'm not Pagan but I have taken the time to learn about Paganism. Some of my best friends are Pagan. And Christian. Etc.
@Anna – you obviously haven't learned much about paganism. It's a blanket term, usually used by people of Abrahamaic faiths to describe people with belief structures dissimilar to their own. There is no specific belief structure associated with paganism, hence crucified's attempt to clarify what she meant.
Mostly, I am just troubled by the line that says that Taylor has not read Bell's book "in it's entirety." I'm just wondering about the context of those quotes from Bell. Christians don't like it when people quote the Bible out of context; I certainly don't plan to make any judgments about Bell's beliefs without it. It's irresponsible of Taylor to denounce someone without having all of the information. Perhaps people should read the book and THEN decide what they think. Just a thought.
I never know if a "believer" is using sarcasm or not until the end of their response. That is how ridiculous you all sound.
No matter how good you are or how much good you do in this world you can't possibly live without sin. You can't live up to being perfect. You just can't do it. Therefore, thanks to God and his mercy and grace provides each and every human sole a way to beat death and eternal hell and that way is Jesus. There is no other way. I wish there was but there isn't. Let me ask you all that don't believe in Jesus a question? If I am wrong then so what. But if I am right and Jesus is the only way, what will you do when the time comes, when all you had to do was ask to saved and believe that Jesus is who God says he is? That's all God is asking of you is to believe that he loves you and send his son to save you. What's so hard about that. God made it so easy to be saved and when faced with the alternative I can't believe people would chose to do nothing.
Lastly, you don't have to believe in gravity either but if you get pushed off a building you will find out it exists.
Tell ya what. I'll lead a good life, helping others and being a nice person. You, go murder some Jews. If we end up standing together being judged, lets see who gets in.
Hell is not an everlasting action, just lasts for a moment. However, the effect of hell is very much everlasting. This is what the Bible teaches.
Love certainly does win. One of the perfect truths of God's word is that He disciplines those He loves. God also points out through His Word that there are consequences for our sins, and our only redemption comes through the sacrifice of God's perfect Son. God sacrificed his perfect and only son (that's love). And it's perfeclty free to all who will accept it (that's love).
The Bible very clearly states that there is a Heaven and a Hell (that's love).
God doesn't decide who ends up in Hell based on how much he "likes" them (that's love). God LOVES every soul and longs for all to follow him, but it's those who choose not to accept the free gift of life offered through the sacrifice of his son Jesus that will be cast from his presence into hell.
And if you've ever visited a national park, you don't need someone tell you about Jesus to know there's a creator. Deep down the soul stirs when exposed to hints of God's majesty on this earth. Isn't it interesting that many of the most remote places, who's inhabitants are never likely to have someone tell them about Jesus, are also some of the most beautiful places on earth? And it's also interesting that stories of God revealing himself through dreams and miracles still happen today...but more often (it seems) in remote souls who had never even heard the name Jesus before?
Do we not forget that our creator is indescribable, and we cannot know all of his power, processes or plans? God's plan is still in perfect motion regardless of how "hard" of a question it is to answer.
The Truth is not an opinion!
Thank you for posting this!
Rob Bell is one very confused person. Oh well.
There is definitely a hell. I believe a good creator will punish you for like 50 million years for your sins in 80 years on earth. it just makes sense that the punishment is harsh. An eternity of punishment in hell is like about 50 million years.
In your opinion. You BELIEVE there is a hell. You don't KNOW there is.
I don't believe there is one. I could be surprised. Or not. We'll see. Or not.
To Anna: The question is, what are your beliefs based on. The bible is clear that there will be reward for those who believe and follow and punishment for the rest. We may not know exactly what that is, but we can say it won't be pleasant.
There is no Hell.!!! If God is perfect and wise and Love, I wonder why he would create such a place to punish his children? I am a father, I have 4 children. I am not prefcet. I am not wise. And i am not all loving and/or pure love. Be that as it may, I would never want anything bad to happen to my children.... When they may mistakes, now that they are adults, it hurts me deeply to see the consequences they suffer. One of my children is divorced because of a adulterous spouse. Another unemployed for listening to his fellow employees. Another is in bankrauptcy for trying to be someone he is not.... I wish they would talked to me about those situations. But they did not. I don't hold that against them. I would never do anything to punish them. I would not want them to suffer for any reason. If I being human, feel this way, then why would God who is merciful, all loving, all wise and perfect, create a place to punish us? "For God so love the world that he gve his only begotten Son, that whosever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting llife." NOT PERISH". Does that mean "to spend eternity in hell"? Jesus preached love and forgiveness..... I believe, that only those who knowingly choose to preach against what Jesus taught are the ones that will suffer. And we should not argue about the Gospel. People may choose to believe it or not. Free will. Do not preach that they are not saved. Do not preach that they are going to hell for one reason or another. To do so would mean that you have judged them. And the only One who will do that is God.
what is religion without fear?
Exactly. If you can't condition people to be good, rather than be good because it's the right thing to do, scare them into doing something right. Tell them of the Big Guy in the sky who loves and cares for you, but if you don't do what he says, he'll kill you (Sodom and Gomorrah), kill everything (the great flood), or he'll torment you by forcing to choose which son to kill to prove your loyalty.
Of course, he was such a great guy that he impregnated someone else's wife and let his chosen people kill his only son.
Now there's someone I want to follow!
Fear if part of life as if every other emotion. What are laws without fear? Is fear part of religion, yes.....and so is love, justice, honor and yes, even hate.
Bravo, Rob Bell! It takes courage to challenge the establishment. I'm not a Christian but I share your universalist perspective.
Why is it so hard for people to respect other's beliefs? I find it so arrogant that any human claims to know THE truth.
Do you find it as arrogant to believe with certainty that there isn't such a truth?
Joel, you misread. I never said that there wasn't a "truth." (To be truthful, I don't know if there is.) I think it is arrogant to claim to know the truth.
Anna,
God is fully capable of writing a book through men that expresses his exact wishes. Christians believe this is the Bible. Do you think God is a fumbler and bumbler and would allow his word that he swears is truth to be inaccurate? You don't have to believe it. But you do have to face the fact that you will be dead someday and you will then know the truth. If you have not been called by God this all seems like foolishness. Pray that God opens your ears, eyes and heart. God bless.
If there is no hell, there is no need for salvation. If there is no need for salvation, there is no need for a Christ. The truth is if you denounce eternal judgment you are denouncing the entire Gospel. The Bible does teach an eternal judgment and does preach salvation through Jesus Christ. And either the Bible is God's Word or it isn't. You can't have it both ways.
You are absolutely right. People who won't listen; who are afraid of having to "give up something", who think you have to be weak to be a christian, will find out one day that the Bible gave them the answers, they were just too stubborn to see and beleive. Then it will be too late.
Hell will be more than just a lake of fire; it is eternal separation from God....that is a hell I cannot imagine living in.
Starzee, I'm glad for your sake that you are doing what you feel you need to do to get where you want to go. I do not understand how, or why, fundmentalists can't understand that the rest of us, many of whom are deeply spiritual, hold our beliefs just as dearly. There's a lack of respect that is mindboggling.
Respect diversity. Love thy neighbor as thyself. Judge not. Etc.
If you study what the Bible says, you learn that this "burning forever" means burning until it's all burnt up and there's nothing left to burn, not for all time.
Very good point, Becca. That is a key aspect of hell. It is used by God to burn the impurity out of people just as fire is used to refine metal.
From some sense, it's certainly a good news if there has no hell at all. However, if it's a false news, then the consequence by relying on it will be horrible! Actually, the reality based on such news will be mostly hellish, already. The living example is the situation in Libya. Watch Cooper's videos.
The guy who created Christianity believes differently. Jesus talked about hell. It is the second death.
Hell was never created for any man. Its purpose was designed for the rebellious angels.
However, some have chosen to follow evil instead of good. So do you follow the father of good or the the father of evil?
The father of evil and his children are going to hell.
Who should I believe, Rob Bell's opinion or Jesus?
In posing your question, you assume that Rob Bell and Jesus disagree. That's your opinion, but understand that's all it is, an opinion.
"Anna says: In posing your question, you assume that Rob Bell and Jesus disagree. That's your opinion, but understand that's all it is, an opinion."
However I would place bets on Jesus over Rob Bell. If what someone is stating goes directly against the word of what the Creator is saying, then yes, I would say that Rob Bell disagree's with Jesus.
W247, the thing is, we KNOW what Rob Bell is saying. What God/Jesus etc. is saying, well, that's rather murky, don't you think?
Why would any assume that God, who created the angels (and satan was an angel) couldn't uncreate them at any point he willed it to be so? This is how we all can tell there is no such place as heaven, hell, or God.
Greg says: Why would any assume that God, who created the angels (and satan was an angel) couldn't uncreate them at any point he willed it to be so? This is how we all can tell there is no such place as heaven, hell, or God"
Because God does not "uncreate". To do that, would be against His nature.
NO ONE has the right to speak for GOD and anyone who attempts to is evil.
So Jesus, Moses, Abraham, and Mohammed were evil. Got it.
louis, do you have the right to speak about your father? of course you do. You know his likes, dislikes, and viewpoints on things if you have a relationship with him right? We who believe(trust) in the Lord Jesus Christ have the right to "become children of God" (John 1:12-13) therefore we can speak on God, because we know him, Jesus has made him known(John1:18) and we know what God thinks about "things" as revealed in His Word(bible). "Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others." "We implore you on the behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Cor.5:20b)
Exactly.
I believe the definition of a prophet is the mouth piece of God. Everyone please read the gospels and ask God to give you revelation. Any form of doctrine that you can find in the person of Jesus Christ you have reason to question. I pray that the eyes of your heart will be enlightened. God bless
Look friends, it's simple. God did send his son to this earth to be with us and save us from the price of sin Death, all past and future sins are able to be forgiven because of Jesus. Therefore, if you chose to go to heaven and not parish as the result of sin, you will have to acknowlege that Jesus IS your saviour and ask to be saved Period. That's it. That simple. IF you CHOOSE not to be saved you won't be. And as it says in the bible it is not by works that a man or women is saved. Meaning you can't live perfect enough to earn your right to heaven. Only Jesus was able to live sinless on the earth. God knows this so he sent Jesus to redeem us and all we have to do to be saved is ask him for it. Whosoever calls on the name of the lord shall be saved. Lastly, if Gandhis did not ask God to save him from his sin then YES he will not be saved and will spend eternity with Satan, as will everyone else that does not chose to be saved.
So if Hitler, who was raised a Catholic and believed in God, repented on his death bed, he's in heaven, but Gandhi isn't.
Sure makes a lot of sense to SOME people.
Your explanation sure is simple.
But not enough to convince me.
Well Cameron, that's your opinion. I hold a view that is virtually the opposite. I have never been baptisted or saved and I am not a Christian. I trust in the power of God's love (I am a theist.) I believe that all are "saved" (or, put another way, no one is in "need" of saving.)
I am happy for you that you have faith in your beliefs. Understand that so do others. It is arrogant, though, to presume to know the truth. I don't think Jesus would approve.
i don't think you go to hell forever. it just doesn't make sense for a Creator to give you life for Zero to 100 years and then punish you forever based on that. I think God punishes you for like 100 trillion years for what you did on earth for 1 year (if you die at 1 year old). But god does NOT punish you FOREVER for dying at age 1 and not believing in god.
The Bible does not say that God will burn people forever. "The wages of sin is death" – not eternal burning. "...should not PERISH but have everlasting life." The wicked are destroyed at the end, but they don't continue forever and ever, burning. God is not a sadist, to torture people FOREVER for the sins of a brief lifetime.
You do not know history my friend. The Eath is a lot older than 2000 yrs old. Have you heard of the gnostics? How about the 313 AD council of Nacaea? How about Serapis and his followers also called christians? I think before you condemn people to hell you should examine your own faith instead of trusting the conquering warriors of Rome. The Cross sure looks a lot like a sword thrown into the ground. "Constantine's sword" . Jesus was real, but quit idolotrizing him. Follow him.
Look Cameron D it's simple.... all of this is an imaginary tale created by a bunch of people who want to spread fear, hate and confusion.... otherwise known as Christianity, and the Catholic Church. Once you realize it's ALL hate, fear and confusion... then it's really easy to ignore it, and get on with life.
If you truly think there to be a 'father figure' sitting on a throne somewhere high above you, judging you... then i might suggest counseling, or therapy. I believe thats a form of schizophrenia....
Your statement is your opinion. It is not fact and I am sick and tired of religious people pushing their point of view as the end all be all, as if your individual expeience trumps that of everyone else on the planet. you are arrogant and egotistical to think your individual relationship with your deity should be seen as the way of all things. People of faith do not own this country. You do not own Religion. You do not own God. Try the following phrase nex time: "In my opinion...."
Wait, you mean to tell me that you believe in an invisible man that lives in the sky? I suppose Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny are also real in your universe?
I think its clear that Hitler was not a Christian. There are some very clear signs of a true conversion, Hitler didn't demonstrate them. Professing a belief in God isn't worth the space this comment is written on. The devil believes in God. There is fruit after conversion. Repentance is a part of that fruit, but this tired argument of terrible people committing heinous crimes going to heaven is getting old. Sure, God is big enough and merciful enough to have made that happen, but that's not where my money is.
But Jesus said that "no one comes to heaven except by me" – but that does not necessarily mean (to me) that one must accept Jesus in THIS life. If one lives a great life full of good deeds and love, as do many Jews and Buddhists, they will be accepted into heaven because they have chosen "goodness" and Jesus smiles upon that always. Jesus would never deny Ghandi passage into heaven.
Anna Jesus came to give us the gospel. He actually talked about hell more than anyone else. God is love and He loves all of us literally to death but even though He is your creator that doesn't change the fact that you have free will. That is one thing God can't touch or change in a person. The way to heaven is so easy and so is hell. Its a matter of choice. If you choose not to believe in Jesus than its not God sending you to hell, its you sending you to hell because you are faced with one important decision.
Its like parents of a person that is in jail. The person made the choice to go to jail and no matter how much their parents love them... they are stuck.
No offense but your opinion about God doesn't matter, its what the bible says about who God is. Just like your opinion about gravity doesn't change it. If you believe you can jump off a tall building and not fall because you don't believe in gravity doesn't really matter.
Its to easy not to accept Jesus as Lord... even on blind faith at first. People do that everyday when it comes to evolution.
To Observer: Those are a lot of big 'if's". However, none of us are privy to who's names are in the book of life, what we need to take solace in is that God is a God of justice, love and grace. We need to trust in that, it isn't our job to speak about condemnation, only in so far as the bible does, but to speak of salvation.
Cameron, every time I hear an explanation such as yours, I always think of the the "Say your right words" scene from Labyrinth.
It is ridiculous to think that a "loving" God would eternally punish someone for not saying the right words. This is one of the (many) reasons I could never be a Christian. I would rather listen to Gandhi.
Callen, I agree that God is love. That's my opinion. It's quite rude to say that my opinion doesn't matter. Everyone's matters (in my opinion.) I think God would agree.
To Anna: Strange that you would quote what Jesus would find unfavorable, when you don't believe in is whole message.
fooled.. you really have been fooled because what you are saying is that you are trusting in your own righteousness. You are trusting in your good works to make it to heaven.
Let me remind you that the pharisees did the same thing and they were the people Jesus condemned, so before you say your actions have to be perfect to go to heaven, I would encourage you to read the NT again. Grace, undeserved favor is for all of us because we are all guilty of sin. Sin is sin, no matter if its killing or wrong thoughts. So don't trust in your own self righteousness.
There is a difference between Eternal Life and Immortality. We receive Immortality through the Grace of Christ. Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we know that we will also conquer physical death and be resurrected like Christ and receive immortality. However, it is through Christ's atonement, another portion of Christ's Grace that he gave freely to both Christian and non-Christial alike, combined with our faith and true repentence that we may conquer spiritual death and receive Eternal Life. I think that even after Ghandi's death, he may still choose to accept Christ and receive the full blessings that are in store for him because of his character and the wise choices he made here on Earth.
To TriB: Your not punished for not saying the right words. The bible say that whom ever believes in him is saved. You don't prove that you are saved by a statement, only. You can keep listening to Ghadi, however Ghadi can't save you? Presupposing that Christianity is true, if it isn't, then those who don't believe shouldn't be worried and can listen to who ever they want.
@ Pascal
" Presupposing that Christianity is true, if it isn't, then those who don't believe shouldn't be worried and can listen to who ever they want."
Exactly. I will continue to live my life doing what is right. Not because someone is holding the threat of eternal damnation over my head...but because it's what I personally choose to do. I do not believe in the Bible. You apparently do. Do I think your way is wrong and you should be punished for it? No. Everyone has the right to decide their path in life. I certainly don't think everyone who disagrees with me will be punished eternally. LIve a good life, help others, practice tolerance instead of hatred.
Peas out!