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even among conservative evangelicals (believers in free will) a significant number seems to reject the doctrine of hell in favor for eternal destruction (i.e. annihilation).
the doctrine of everlasting torment together with double predestination appears especially vicious to me, so I wonder if there any decided Calvinistists which believe rather in eternal destruction then in everlasting torment, it would at least soften a doctrine as grim as double predestination.
as said before, I'm just curious and it's merely a private question without intention to make a discussion out of it but I'm very interested
even among conservative evangelicals (believers in free will) a significant number seems to reject the doctrine of hell in favor for eternal destruction (i.e. annihilation).
the doctrine of everlasting torment together with double predestination appears especially vicious to me, so I wonder if there any decided Calvinistists which believe rather in eternal destruction then in everlasting torment, it would at least soften a doctrine as grim as double predestination.
as said before, I'm just curious and it's merely a private question without intention to make a discussion out of it but I'm very interested
The doctrine of Annihilation is what the JWs believe...has it creeped into the Christian mainstream now?
To address you question regarding the doctine of eternal punishment, wouldn't softening a doctrine be akin to gathering those around you that will tickle your ears...IOW tell you what you want to hear? Paul tells us he would rather be a God pleaser than a man pleaser..Paul pulls no punches, he softens nothing...Just because someone does not want to hear or believe something said does not negate the validity of it...Just because a person trully believes that there is no God does not negate the fact that He does indeed exist...Just because Muslims believe that Christ was only a messenger or prophet of God does not change the fact that in reality He is God in the flesh...I know you've seen people that run around beleiveing something false because the truth is to hard for them to handle and in there minds they say it can't be true, so, they form in their owns minds a lie and tell it to themselves so often that to them it becomes the truth and no one can tell them any different...and they will gather around them people that will validate or agree with their lie, people of like mind...
Richard i believe those who have the itching ears(only want to hear what they want to hear) are the ones who believe they are part of some selective chosen few and will not hear anything different from that , how can believing the Lord is Savior of All be likened to having itchy ears ?, what is there to gain for the believer who believes all will be saved ?.
As one who believes All will be saved it certainly changed how i view all those who have yet come to know Him , when i believed what i suppose you can call a Calvinistic doctrine, i was nothing short of one who was never open to hearing anything that did not fit my doctrinal belief , of which i am now i am ashamed off.
Thankfully the Lord took me into the wilderness to take out of me that which i was now ashamed off. On reflection i know He had to take me into the wilderness because i could never been open to anyone telling me anything different to what i was sold out to.
Richard i believe those who have the itching ears(only want to hear what they want to hear) are the ones who believe they are part of some selective chosen few and will not hear anything different from that , how can believing the Lord is Savior of All be likened to having itchy ears ?, what is there to gain for the believer who believes all will be saved ?.
As one who believes All will be saved it certainly changed how i view all those who have yet come to know Him , when i believed what i suppose you can call a Calvinistic doctrine, i was nothing short of one who was never open to hearing anything that did not fit my doctrinal belief , of which i am now i am ashamed off.
Thankfully the Lord took me into the wilderness to take out of me that which i was now ashamed off. On reflection i know He had to take me into the wilderness because i could never been open to anyone telling me anything different to what i was sold out to.
Fortunately, Salvation is not in doctrines but in Christ Jesus...
To address you question regarding the doctine of eternal punishment, wouldn't softening a doctrine be akin to gathering those around you that will tickle your ears...IOW tell you what you want to hear? Paul tells us he would rather be a God pleaser than a man pleaser..Paul pulls no punches, he softens nothing...Just because someone does not want to hear or believe something said does not negate the validity of it...Just because a person trully believes that there is no God does not negate the fact that He does indeed exist...Just because Muslims believe that Christ was only a messenger or prophet of God does not change the fact that in reality He is God in the flesh...I know you've seen people that run around beleiveing something false because the truth is to hard for them to handle and in there minds they say it can't be true, so, they form in their owns minds a lie and tell it to themselves so often that to them it becomes the truth and no one can tell them any different...and they will gather around them people that will validate or agree with their lie, people of like mind...
What you've said here, in itself, is not any proof for or against eternal punishment. You are just saying people don't believe the truth. These words could just as easily apply to you because you refuse to believe the truth that God will save all and that no one will be tormented for eternity.
Perhaps you have grown accustomed to the idea of eternal torment, and simply have itching ears that don't want to hear any ideas that contradict that belief. The truth is hard to handle when it disagrees with you.
Fortunately, Salvation is not in doctrines but in Christ Jesus...
He is Salvation
30For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31which you have prepared in the sight of all people, 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel." Luke 2
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