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FreddieUK · 70-79, M
No.
FreddieUK · 70-79, M
@Ferise1 Why do you believe I don't? I'm not sure whether you want to have a genuine debate about the Bible or confirm your view that a Christian never has any answers.
I could make an equally meaningless assertion that scientists never have any answers just give you theories and tell you to go and study science.
I could make an equally meaningless assertion that scientists never have any answers just give you theories and tell you to go and study science.
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FreddieUK · 70-79, M
@Ferise1 It seems to be an important point for you. I wonder why? YOU told me it was in the Bible. So if you believe the Bible you have answered your own question. If you don't, then no matter what anyone else says it's a load of baloney and any discussion must be just to provoke. Unless, of course, you are a seeker after truth and would like to explore how such an odd idea fits into the whole biblical narrative.
FreddieUK · 70-79, M
@Ferise1 That's a meaningful question I can engage with. I suggested that you need to take this notion in the context of the whole Bible, which of course is too ridiculously large to discuss in a forum like this. However, let's put to you some straightforward beliefs I gain from the overall picture.
1. It is God's desire for all to have an eternal, beautiful presence with Himself
2. Because our wilful nature excludes that possibility, eternal separation is inevitable unless something beyond our ability happens. That exclusion is sometimes thought of as 'hell'. (Not a fiery pit, by the way.)
3. It is Jesus Christ who enables us to see God as He really is. Accepting that His death and resurrection is the way to come into God's eternal presence now and then on beyond the grave is what He taught and why I know that not everyone will spend any time in that separation.
4. Peter writes in one of his letters that in a once and for all descent into the place of the dead (i.e that place of separation), those who had not heard of this way to into God's presence received an opportunity.
5. It is possible for everyone who wants to to repent of their wilful nature, receive the forgiveness available through Jesus Christ and share in His resurrection today and for always.
We need not fear that God wants us to spend any time in Hell.
That is a really crude summary of what most Christians will believe. Of course we all have different takes, which is why personal study of the Bible is so important. I will leave it there, but happy to continue here or in a PM if you wish.
1. It is God's desire for all to have an eternal, beautiful presence with Himself
2. Because our wilful nature excludes that possibility, eternal separation is inevitable unless something beyond our ability happens. That exclusion is sometimes thought of as 'hell'. (Not a fiery pit, by the way.)
3. It is Jesus Christ who enables us to see God as He really is. Accepting that His death and resurrection is the way to come into God's eternal presence now and then on beyond the grave is what He taught and why I know that not everyone will spend any time in that separation.
4. Peter writes in one of his letters that in a once and for all descent into the place of the dead (i.e that place of separation), those who had not heard of this way to into God's presence received an opportunity.
5. It is possible for everyone who wants to to repent of their wilful nature, receive the forgiveness available through Jesus Christ and share in His resurrection today and for always.
We need not fear that God wants us to spend any time in Hell.
That is a really crude summary of what most Christians will believe. Of course we all have different takes, which is why personal study of the Bible is so important. I will leave it there, but happy to continue here or in a PM if you wish.
FreddieUK · 70-79, M
@Ferise1 But how is it that you have come to that conclusion from a small part of the Bible but criticise me for pointing to wider biblical picture. Since the Christian faith is based on the Bible, it is always the place we will go to for guidance. Otherwise it's something else which each of us make up as we go along. The very notion of 'hell' and 'resurrection' are biblical in origin.
FreddieUK · 70-79, M
@Ferise1 We go either into the direct presence of God or we are cut off from it. Jesus taught that there is no change. The idea of 'first' in your question may be a hangover from a Catholic idea of Purgatory, I'm not sure, but that is no longer part of their dogma as far as I understand it.