Just curious, what are some of the best ways to answer some of these typical questions about Christianity and the Bible? Ideas/thoughts welcome.
1. Why aren't Christians doing greater works than Jesus did, since he himself2. If a Christian commits suicide, is he/she still forgiven?
said they would (John 14:12)?
3. Why is God concerned about humans at all? We are less than a speck in the
universe.
4. Can you tell me if some one can lose their salvation, or is your salvation fixed?
What will happen to someone if they turn back to the world? Will they be accepted into heaven or rejected?
5. If all sin is seen as equal in God's eyes, then why do homosexuals go to hell? Whereas someone who tells lies on a regular basis, even if they're white lies, can get into heaven? Isn't all sin equal?
7 comments:
1) Those who came after Jesus did do works that were much greater than his. Why they don't appear to be around today... I tend to believe that 1 Cor 13:8-10 that when it says that perfection comes that its referring to the completion of the Bible or that love is the fulfillment of everything and when you have that you don't need gifts. However, I have heard of accounts people being raised from the dead, people receiving dreams/visions, and such things in lands that have either never received the gospel or have been hostile toward it. Also, I have a number of friends in the Assemblies of God/charismatic movement who claim to have the gift of tongues, have cast out demons, and pretty much all of the gifts among their people. So take that as you will... it might be that we just don't ask for the gifts as well.
3) We are literally God's children. Are not your children greater to you than the home you have made for them?
Be advised, none of these are original thoughts:
1. Play the numbers game. After Jesus had risen, he had all of 120 followers. Not bad for 3 years' work, but compared to how the next generation of Christians was to change the Western world. Were it not for what the next generation did (entirely because Jesus was with the Father in heaven and not of their own strength), Jesus would be a blip in Josephus' writings, Tacticus would never have heard of him, and there's good odds nobody else would have too.
2. Yes. See assurance. Also, the only unforgivable sin per the NT is blaspheming the Spirit, ie denying God and Jesus. Suicide is a pretty horrific thing, but it's not that. The best thing about forgiveness is that it's (mostly, as far as I can tell) time indeterminant, that is that just because my last words may not be, 'Lord forgive me for my sins,' and then list every single one, I'm still forgiven when I placed my trust in Christ.
3. This is a fun one. I know people that believe in extraterrestrials because God has so much love, he could still love us and we wouldn't notice. The answer: God's love is wide and high and long and deeper than anything we could fathom. We are just a speck, but by golly, we're God's speck. I like Top Hat's answer too.
4. Assurance is ours. I'm not fit to provide a theological defense as such. The best apologetic evidence I'm aware of is the verbiage in John's gospel that implies that eternal life is ours immediately (vs when we die). The best experiential evidence I'm aware of is that the Holy Spirit's in me, God can't go to hell (except that thing after he died), so neither can I.
5. A person that confesses with their mouth that Jesus is Lord and believes in their heart that God raised them from the dead and commits acts of homosexuality will be saved, very simply because Romans 9:9-10 contain no subclause concerning homosexuality. He who believes in Him and commits acts of homosexuality, even though they die, yet shall they live, specifically because John 3:16 says squat about homosexuality. The wages of white lies, homosexuality, and even booger picking done without faith (anything done without faith is sin) is death. So with the sole exception of blaspheming the Spirit, all sin, solely from the standpoint of justification, requires judgment, and is therefore equal.
Not by way of answers, or retorts, but continued thoughts...
1. Who says they aren't?
2. Why would a Christian commit suicide?
3. True.
4. If God seals the holy spirit inside of his children, can that seal be broken?
5. Ephesians 5:3-5
I really am excited to respond to this post. I am going to save it and think about it though before I respond to it that way I don't just say my own thoughts. I love you Sarah Mac!
2) I shouldn't think so, but I feel as though the person would be missing out on knowing and experiencing God through sufferings. I'm not sure what that means when they get to heaven as we are each rewarded based on what we have done (which has always confused me a bit).
3) God's love is a paradox... he genuinely loves us, but needs nothing in return.
4) John 3:16, 6:47 have the word believe in them. I would need to know more, but the present tense of believe indicates a person's current belief. Now I'm not aware of the Bible recounting anyone having the Spirit removed from them or revoking their faith so it is entirely possible that there is more to interpreting those verbs.
I believe that you still get eternal life if you are saved and then "turn back". 1 Cor 3:10-14 seems to indicate that if a person distorts the foundation (Christ) so much so that when it is tested it burns up, he is still saved. What it means by reward and treasure I think has to do with the fruit/the people that came from it (sold them something other than Christ).
The unforgivable sin (persisting till death in saying that God/Christ is evil/the devil) seems to be the only way, but that would take rampant denial for someone who has received Christ. I'm not sure its possible... especially with a God who is gently drawing you to him.
5) Much of evangelical America targets homosexuals because they symbolize a more tangible form of sin. The false Christian believes that if they can stamp out sin in others then they will cease to be tempted. I know because I use to have that mindset. Don't look down on these Christians as they are only deceived. Yes homosexuality is a sin, but we are not to judge those outside of the church. Instead we are to treat them as Christ would have.
5 very good questions, young lady. Keep seeking insight. You will find it -- or rather, He will find you.
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