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This is an answer I gave on another thread, but it's applicable here also:
Christians believe we (mankind) live forever. This life is like a training ground of sorts. What we do in this life, by placing our faith in the redemptive work of Jesus, and then living out the Christian life, prepares us for eternity. This life is but a whisper; eternity is forever. You can survive & actually succeed (by man's standards) in this life without Christ, but what about the life to come?
C. S. Lewis, atheist turned Christian, wrote much about this in his book "Mere Christianity".
While it may be preparation for a life you believe you'll have, it is still limiting one's self in this 100% conclusively irrefutable life.
You can't tell me that there aren't Christians out there that look at a situation here on earth and end up pushing it off because they have an afterlife where they don't have to deal with it. What I'm saying here is that there are things in the here and now that could be dealt with, but since this life is just a shell anyhow that all falls through the cracks. Why fix this piddly life when you can weave through it and have everything be perfect later? While there are many knowledgeable Christians out there who actually do utilize your view above, you can't tell me that the masses of believers are this way. If you lose the bet and your beliefs were just that, beliefs you just blew the one short whisper of a chance at life that you will ever have for all eternity.
While it may be preparation for a life you believe you'll have, it is still limiting one's self in this 100% conclusively irrefutable life.
You can't tell me that there aren't Christians out there that look at a situation here on earth and end up pushing it off because they have an afterlife where they don't have to deal with it. What I'm saying here is that there are things in the here and now that could be dealt with, but since this life is just a shell anyhow that all falls through the cracks. Why fix this piddly life when you can weave through it and have everything be perfect later? While there are many knowledgeable Christians out there who actually do utilize your view above, you can't tell me that the masses of believers are this way.
Things like what?
Any self-proclaimed Christian who is not using this life to serve God & serve others is probably not a true believer.
I've already stepped on a crack and didn't break my mother's back. I've walked under ladders, and have had black cats cross my path with do consequence. I'm not going to fall for the biggest superstition. Keep praying, and we will all benefit from the so called "miracles."
The tendency of Christians to declare other Christians to be non-Christian is one of Christianity's most Christian characteristics.
God is the true Judge. But, Christians should have certain characteristics, should they not? Anyone who claims to be a Christian, but does nothing in service to God has probably not had a life-changing experience.
Maybe, maybe not. It is pretty pointless to speculate on the character of God. I myself am humble enough to put very few expectations on God. But I admit to at least this much hubris:
I do expect any competent God should be capable of at least delivering a single volume of unambiguous prose.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jimmiej
But, Christians should have certain characteristics, should they not? Anyone who claims to be a Christian, but does nothing in service to God has probably not had a life-changing experience.
Well... that's certainly what Christians always say when they are in the process of mutually condemning each other as non-Christian. So even were we to assume arguendo that "Christians should have certain characteristics," how are we to figure out what those characteristics might be?
Christians themselves do not appear to have a good handle on them, that much is certain.
Maybe, maybe not. It is pretty pointless to speculate on the character of God. I myself am humble enough to put very few expectations on God. But I admit to at least this much hubris:
I do expect any competent God should be capable of at least delivering a single volume of unambiguous prose.
Maybe...
Quote:
Originally Posted by HistorianDude
Well... that's certainly what Christians always say when they are in the process of mutually condemning each other as non-Christian. So even were we to assume arguendo that "Christians should have certain characteristics," how are we to figure out what those characteristics might be?
Christians themselves do not appear to have a good handle on them, that much is certain.
Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven. The standard we are to live by is the Bible, especially the New Testament. Not one believer will achieve perfection. Christ alone did that for us.
Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven. The standard we are to live by is the Bible, especially the New Testament. Not one believer will achieve perfection. Christ alone did that for us.
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