Quote:
Originally Posted by Antipas
I hope it helps. Most just don't understand my method of operation. I'm a lot like the college theology professor that opens his class on biblical theology by saying that he's an atheist and will instantly pass any student who can prove that there's a God. lol
What I see around here is a bunch of,
"Wa, your doctrine is of the devil, we're right and you're wrong! Now believe like us or burn in Hell. Oh, by the way...I love you 'cause Jesus says I have to." lol
I think that's a lame way of presenting the truth. I like a deep, scholarly, philosophical, discussion that considers validity of each point and argument. If I see a view under represented and being trashed with straw men arguments...I like to push it and force the issue to TRY to get sound answers.
So far... I'm disappointed in what I'm seeing among those who believe in a literal eternal Hell. For example, Blume proposed that it's just because it's all based on "choice". However, the majority of people who will burn in Hell forever didnt' choose Hell over Heaven...they never heard the Gospel. So that argument means nothing.
Here's an interesting question...does God want to see a 16 year old Hindu girl who never heard the gospel or hand a chance to obey and be saved burn in absolute torments endlessly? Does he enjoy that? What MAKES God HAVE to do that? What is God subject to that FORCES Him into such behavior?
I've brought this up before...we disdain Hitler's ovens...but they are nothing compared to God's Hell where countless souls who never had a chance will burn in agony and torture forever. It's funny how limited we expect a God who can do anything to be.
On a side note...practical experience is also interesting. Near death experiences don't seem to always jive with our fundamental understanding of Scripture. Yet these experiences, and the elements contained therein, are nearly universal among all cultures. What's going on?
It's possible that there's far more going on here than the back woods Pentecostal religion's perspective accomodates.
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Well
I do not necessarily oppose it because of the choice issue. Nevertheless, Jesus said those who hunger and thirst after righteousness would be filled. Thus, a person who intently looks for it -- the Lord will ensure that he/she finds it.
For various reasons, I oppose it--I will only list a couple:
1st: The book that you listed as a source bases the majority of its arguments on the argument of silence. In others words, because it was not mentioned we should assume that everyone took it for granted. These arguments are very weak -- we could also assume the other side of what they are saying. (honestly -- I have not read the whole book -- so he could later expand and not just use the argument of silence)
2nd: In your and the UR eyes, the tricky word "eternal". I do not see it so slippery a word. In every credible greek source/dictionary whenever the word eternal is used with life or death -- it is also used in the same sense with the very being of God. If one diminishes it with death, then one must also be willing to do that with life and God.
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