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The judgment and the concept is sending folks to hell is a preaching tool to gain converts.
The other great preaching tool is eternal life. IN fact, I am convinced many Christians are Christians because they are seeking immortality. To be good to others is not a big deal to those that only want to save their own skin. And that is why to be SAVED is such a big deal for many.
So, if I don't accept Jesus' offer of salvation, because I don't want to be selfish, but I do good deeds, what is my ultimate fate?
The Catholic Church selected which books were inspired. Protestants believe the books selected themselves. If the books were selected by the Church then they are inspired.
RESPONSE:
Really? What proof do you have, or is just something you were told. As the old saying goes, "The Church says the Bible, and the Bible says the Church"! And the "Church from below" is expected to always believe what "the Church from above" says.
>>Athanasius (c. 296-373) is known as the "Father of Orthodoxy."<<
Is that what the Church now claims? Have you ever checked it out for yourself?
Wasn't Athanasius once excommunicated by the (inspired?)bishops and the (inspired?)pope?
From Wikipedia:
"Throughout most of his career, Athanasius had many detractors. Classical scholar Timothy Barnes relates contemporary allegations against Athanasius: from defiling an altar, to selling Church grain that had been meant to feed the poor for his own personal gain, and even violence and murder to suppress dissent. Athanasius used "Arian" to describe both followers of Arius, and as a derogatory polemical term for Christians who disagreed with his formulation of the Trinity. Athanasius called many of his opponents "Arian", except for Miletus.
Ref: Barnes, Timothy D., Athanasius and Constantius: Theology and Politics in the Constantinian Empire (Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press, 1993).
Last edited by Aristotle's Child; 11-28-2014 at 11:29 AM..
Reason: addition
God judges, the Holy Spirit convicts, you and I are simply commanded to love. Anything else usurps God's authority and tells Jesus that His summation of the Law and prophets was incorrect.
Sure, but don't we have an obligation to warn people, or at least point them to the Bible?
A non-sequitur. This really has nothing to do with using the Bible as authority when the Bible itself describes the authority of the Spirit, but that is just not concrete enough for your liking. You need to have something tangible that you can thump. Sorry.
So what do we do with Jesus' words of impending judgement?
So, if I don't accept Jesus' offer of salvation, because I don't want to be selfish, but I do good deeds, what is my ultimate fate?
Accepting Jesus offer is quite easy. Why would any believer turn down eternal life? However, making salvation the sole purpose of Christianity is rather selfish. I prefer the Christianity that is totally unselfish and does good for the sake of doing good while expecting no rewards.
Would you be a born again Christian if there was no salvation and eternal life?
Accepting Jesus offer is quite easy. Why would any believer turn down eternal life? However, making salvation the sole purpose of Christianity is rather selfish. I prefer the Christianity that is totally unselfish and does good for the sake of doing good while expecting no rewards.
Would you be a born again Christian if there was no salvation and eternal life?
No, because that's the best part! And, the alternative is not good!
Have you accepted or rejected Christ's offer of salvation?
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