Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Proverbs 3:5 [NIV] says: "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding".
I don't mean to sound contentious, but I have to play devil's advocate here, and ask: are you sure? What I mean by that is, that the Jewish people trust in God, and they study their scripture, (that Christians label as the OT, which you quoted from), yet they seem to have an entirely different idea, concerning hell, salvation, etc. I'm not Jewish myself, but I have been reading quite a bit, recently, about their beliefs, and I have to tell you, that when you come at it with an open mind, and really give it serious consideration, it gives you pause. They have some seriouslythought-provoking reasons as to why they don't believe as Christians do. And, they back it up with scripture. It really does seem to come down to a case of different interpretations. Of course, I may be looking at this just a little bit differently, since I no longer believe in the hell of traditional Christianity, and haven't for a number of years. And, I come from a fundamentalist/evangelical background, so I am more than familiar with "hell".
Wow, more and more I wonder what this forum really is for. I thought we weren't supposed to debate the merits of Christianity in here.
Oh well.
This is what comes of having a separate subforum for Christianity. I think everyone forgets which forum they're on, (Christianity, or Religion and Philosophy). I do know I do. Oh, for the simpler times.
Wow, more and more I wonder what this forum really is for. I thought we weren't supposed to debate the merits of Christianity in here
We aren't. We let me know in a DM which post it is so I can delete it if necessary. And as for other members remember that this is not a debate on the merits of Christianity. thanks
I'm curious if their are any other Christian Universalists who would like to discuss the topic. By Christian Universalist, I mean a person who believes in the deity of Christ but that Christ has or will reconcile all people to Himself. My CU is strongly attached to my beliefs in fulfilled (covenant) eschatology which is a form of preterist theology. Preterist eschatology teaches that all Bible prophecy, such as the second coming of Christ and the entire book of Revelation, finished being or was fulfilled around the time Jerusalem was destroyed in 70AD.
If you are not a Christian Universalist, I would also like to hear from other Christians who don't believe in the eternal or literal fire and brimstone interpretation. What are your thoughts or interpretations of the subject?
I don't believe it's important when prophecy was "finished", or if heaven and hell are literal places for that matter.
I believe those "stories" speak to eternal truths.
I do believe everything goes round and round and round. Like seasons, orbits,
day, dawn etc. And I believe I will be around in some form or another forever.
I'm not sure if it really matters if it's just my soul, or my soul and body in some kind of form. It's just imortant to me that the essence of me, and everyone and everything is eternal.
I'll leave it to others to work out the details.
I no longer believe in eternal damnation but believe God will save all of his creation. I do believe in hell and punishment but believe, in the end, Jesus will be victoriousI
I agree. Thanks for sharing. I also grew up in the traditional teaching of eternal hell but there came a point in my life when that teaching did not correspond with the agape love of the Father. I thought about never ending torment or punishment for those who are lost and something in my spirit said that there had to be a time when the Father would say enough is enough. Jesus has instructed the disciples to forgive their enemies and to be perfect just as the heavenly Father is perfect. Jesus asked the Father to forgive those who did Him wrong when He was crucified, "for they know not what they do." I also believe that there will be punishment, but I don't believe that it will go on forever and I think that it is for a higher purpose.
Last edited by ShanaBrown; 10-03-2007 at 05:48 PM..
Reason: adding to post
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
but I have to play devil's advocate here, and ask: are you sure? What I mean by that is, that the Jewish people trust in God, and they study their scripture, (that Christians label as the OT, which you quoted from), yet they seem to have an entirely different idea, concerning hell, salvation, etc. I'm not Jewish myself, but I have been reading quite a bit, recently, about their beliefs, and I have to tell you, that when you come at it with an open mind, and really give it serious consideration, it gives you pause. They have some seriously thought-provoking reasons as to why they don't believe as Christians do. And, they back it up with scripture. It really does seem to come down to a case of different interpretations.
Of course, I may
be looking at this just a little bit differently, since I no longer believe in the hell of traditional Christianity, and haven't for a number of years. And, I come from a fundamentalist/evangelical background, so I am more than familiar with "hell".
