The first group of comments on this post points out exactly what I meant in my comment to Anthony’s posting about what’s wrong with Christianity.

The tendency of believers to cling absolutely to their interpretation and understanding while demeaning and attacking those who hold tightly to a different interpretation is the single biggest problem in the Universal Church today. And has been ever since the Corinthians started listening to Apollos.

Here’s my position and belief on the question of ‘who is to be saved?’

The work of Salvation is God’s work. God calls, God draws, God saves, God justifies. My part is two fold. First, I have free will, so I get to choose whether I respond to the calling and drawing of God. Second, after I respond positively to the first part, then my task is to tell my story. What has God done for me?

I would suggest that the study of the Bible is for the believer, not the unbeliever. Certainly, God can use the scripture to convict the unbeliever unto salvation. However, it is not MY job to bring conviction to anyone. It is my job to tell of the works of God in my life, and then let God do the rest.

Also, if I disagree with another believer on the meaning or interpretation of scripture, then that is an opportunity for BOTH OF US to sit with the text and our understanding and wrestle with it together. It is rarely appropriate for anyone to say, “THIS Is what GOD means with this text…”. A little humility and admitted lack of understanding goes a long way.

hs,

The study of the Bible is for anyone who wants to learn who God and Christ is according to the Holy Scriptures. How can anyone possibly believe in a faith that he does really know about? It is truly impossible.

Studying the bible is for ALL and anyone who is interested in learning who God is according to the Holy Scriptures.

I personally did not believe one way or another before I began studying the Bible. I became a believer by God’s doing but also by my choice and willingness to learn and study.

D. Walker and hs,

I agree with both of your last remarks.

My purpose, and it comes from a stand for the faith, is to keep the distinctions alive so the conversation may continue.

The author of this statement, in my view, firmly believes his convictions. My best service to him, others, and myself is to share what I hear.

If he is committed, he will stay engaged.

“You will go to hell unless you come to a saving knowledge of Jesus.”

This statement is not John 14:6, nor is it inspired by it. At best, it is derived from it. I do not demand literal interpretation, as you may have heard by now. I do call for respect. Jesus never made this statement, nor spoke in this manner.

The author of this statement has declared “You will go to Hell,” not he himself, and he has created a condition he calls, “a saving knowledge.”

I accept Jesus, and I place myself in God’s mercy.

I make that commitment without presuming more, or condeming others.

In my opinion, the author has over reached. It is for himself to do the work for what is at the source of his taking on declaring who will go to Hell.

The distinction between declaring the path to Hell and the path to the Father is a powerful one.

The faith is a gift to the people. We have been given the trust to spread the word to everyone. We honor God when we make it our own. We do that by being, and sharing.

I am inspired by Jesus’ message offering a path to the Father.

If someone is doing the work to avoid Hell, they are hearing a different message, maybe one inspired by fear. Not powerful theology, nor an authentic acceptance of what Jesus is offering us.

This is also more than the glass is half full or the glass is half empty view of theology.

Jesus gets to choose what his message is and he said, ““I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Jesus knew not to put Hell into a definition of who he is for us. Maybe we shouldn’t either.

Hard words, yes. Thank you for listening.

This type of statement puzzles me. Scripture uses quite plain language in its support of the opinion of the “. . . open view of heaven’s gate . . . ” Even given the prooftext of John 14:6. For Scripture should be taken in the context of its Whole. When we read I Timothy 2:1-6, we find instructions for Timothy on the proper conduct of worship. “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” (KJV)

Verses 4-5 are quite plain in their language that Salvation comes through Jesus Christ alone, but, God wills that the effect and knowledge of that salvation is available to all. Verse 6 reiterates that Jesus was given as a ransom for all. How God provides that knowledge and choice to those who have not heard with their human ears may very well be included in the mysterious ways of God. Since Paul saw no contradiction in saying that Jesus gave himself for all, and just for those who have physically heard, why should anyone try to argue otherwise?

Modify my last statement to read:

Since Paul saw no contradiction in saying that Jesus gave himself for all, and *not* just for those who have physically heard, why should anyone try to argue otherwise?

judgemental- The author of this statement, in my view, firmly believes his convictions.but,
In my opinion, the author has over reached. It is for himself to do the work for what is at the source of his taking on declaring who will go to Hell. even though,

I am a Christian. What giving up judgment has provided for me is the power to be with you, and be free of a view that there is anything wrong in you are what you believe.
You are a child of God, there is nothing wrong, you are whole, perfect, and complete as you are. God can do no less.

If someone is doing the work to avoid Hell, they are hearing a different message, maybe one inspired by fear. Not powerful theology, nor an authentic acceptance of what Jesus is offering us.

If that is their reality and they live it to the fullest then what is wrong with that?

Religion is supposed to be about truth but anything that probes at the truth is taken as criticism/condemnation and attacked rather than a welcome opportunity to hone the truth. Regardless of which faith this is the unfortunate response. But, in hope of real thought, here are my two comments.

1. If the God we believe in is loving and merciful, how can such a God condemn most of the human beings, since no one religion has ever been but a small minority of people on Earth? If only one religion is the true path to God (regardless of which religion we think it is) then I would say it is a most unloving and unmerciful God since most people will always be condemned to hell.

2. As someone who has a scripture available in its original language I have seen the dramatic effect of putting too much emphasis on a translation. Not only can there be issues with a translation but languages exist in a culture and many things do not translate well. To rely in a single verse of a single word for a core belief is most dangerous. To offer an alternative explanation to the this verse (not that it will be acceptable to Christians). In his time Jesus was the way to God and the ONLY way to God. All those who carry God’s word in their time on Earth offer the best way to God. If Jesus was among us today, he would be the best way to God (likewise for Muhammad, Moses, Abraham etc.). But today so many centuries after them we are left with their messages and we choose which to follow as our path to salvation. Others may choose differently. God will decide in the End.

A great poet named Iqbal put a lot more weight on being faithful to the chosen path and said (I am translating as best I can)
“Faithfulness to my religion as a means to improve is the real religion
So if a Brahmin dies in the Hindu temple (meaning he is faithful to the end) then he deserves to be buried in the Kaaba (the holiest Muslim shrine)”.

To add a bit to the two points.
1. God is loving and merciful therefore the paths to salvation MUST be many so that all of God’s faithful can find salvation.

2. Jesus was clearly not the way for those people who were born and died before him (or lived in his time but had no contact with him….as was the case for all people living outside his small geographical presence, i.e., people who lived in Africa, China, the Americas and Europe). So is Jesus the only way to salvation for all of future? The verse does not say that plainly. There are many Christians who believe that but that is THEIR interpretation. John 14:6 has no mention of time. It can equally be taken to mean Jesus was saying this to all those who were in his presence and in which case it was perfectly true.

whatwhat,

“If that is their reality and they live it to the fullest then what is wrong with that?”

Nothing. That’s the point. Now have the conversation without all the drama, emotion, and righteousness.

There are still considerations, choices, consequences, impacts, etc. Most importantly, there is integrity. This is a conversation in integrity. Declaring who we are, what we are committed to, and holding ourselves to our word. It is the essence of being in a human being.

Being a christian is not meaningless. It exists in a context of choices, commitments and integrity.

We are here to listen and hold ourselves accountable to them.

Khalid Shah,

“Others may choose differently. God will decide in the End.”

This is what I hear and what touches me in your words.

I hear all the reasoning that creates possibilities of how it can work, but in the end I rely on my faith to give me peace.

Thank you for sharing.