Hansc

I think it depends on exactly what you are talking about. Various denominations have different views on some key elements of doctrine, e.g. the TULIP debates, however individuals on both sides of the debate can be sincere Christians who are born again. The key question is "Have you received Christ as your Lord and Savior?"

Lots of good feedback, I just saw on my FB newsfeed that in addition to MacArthur, John Piper and several others are now denouncing the film. A few thoughts, the boy didn't say that everyone had wings, only that SOME angels did. It also was not a NDE, because none of his vital signs ever stopped. Paul and John both had experiences of heaven that were also NOT NDEs. I think some of the arguments from some of the ministries attacking this boy's account are silly at best. For example: 1. Some claim that it cannot be real because a person CANNOT experience heaven before death: really?, would it be too hard for God to do that if he wanted? 2. Another ministry attacked the film because it showed animals in heaven and they claimed that there were NO animals in heaven: that's just ignorant, the Bible clearly says that Jesus has a horse in heaven, as do the rest of the armies of heaven. 3. Another ministry attacked the film because it showed people awake and aware in heaven, they claimed that people are still asleep: soul sleep is a serious misunderstanding of what the Bible teaches. 4. Still another ministry denounced it as heresy because the boy's sister in heaven still had no given name: If Jesus wants to wait and allow the mother and father to name her, He can do so if He wants to. 5. Another denounced it as false because the Bible says it is given to men to only die ONCE: While it is generally true that people only die once, God can override general rules if He wants. There are countless examples in the Bible were God overrides general rules. God is NOT limited by general guidelines. 6. Another claimed that the boy and his family were in on the deception only for the MONEY On a side thought, Lazarus died under the Old Covenant, prior to the resurrection. That's real different, but probably another thread. I find it sad that so many of the "book-learned" need to attack something simply because it is a more dramatic experience than they have ever had.

Bopeep, what is your take on the film?

Thanks OtherOne, I saw it last night with a group from a Bible study I attend, I thought it was pretty good. However, when I got home I saw on my FB news feed that John MacArthur really tore into it calling it evil. LadyC Thanks for the feedback, I think the kid was being honest too.

Heaven Has anybody seen this movie, if so what do you think?

The problem with this view is that it denies the freedom of decision that God gives to people. Yes, He is strong enough and Yes He wants all to be saved, but will not force Himself on anyone. This as "framed" leaves no room for a person to receive Christ by an act of faith.

It's been a while since I've been here, life has been extremely busy. Just to express myself again: I believe that Jesus is the uncreated, Creator who came to redeem His creation on the cross and in that process died and rose again on the third day.

To fulfill part of all that is righteous as Jesus said to John the Baptist prior to His baptism. This act and all acts of obedience demonstrate the desire which the Lord puts in the believer's heart to obey and to do(Phil 2:13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.) John the Apostle said in 1 John 2:28-29 And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. 29 If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him. Obedience should be the desire of the heart for all Christians and is why Paul and others kept telling us to examine ourselves that we be in the faith. This passage here in 1 John tells us why it is important, that we be not ashamed at Jesus coming. No, but if one willfully reject the first thing a believer should do without very good cause, that is no demonstration of a surrender heart. We can see in the NT days it was done speedily to new converts but I believe scripture plainly teaches that without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness(remission). It says nothing of water baptism being a requirement. This is as good an example as any of which there are several which tells us how saints are cleansed: Rev 7:13-14 Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?”14 And I said to him, “Sir, you know.” So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. The answers above state my convictions. Allofgrace, I really liked your answer and the insight you gave. I think you really hit the nail on the head. Thanks for your thoughtful answer. I think there have been several really good answers and these help me formulate my own responses when people ask me things along these lines. So thanks for your thoughtful responses.

Is Water Baptism Essential to Salvation? Must a person be baptized to be saved? What is your understanding of this matter? Why do you believe as you do? (In case any wonder, my position is that water baptism is NOT essential to salvation. While I believe people should be baptized, their salvation is not determined by, nor dependent upon baptism.)

Redroses, you asked if we are aware on the "other side." Consider: Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain Paul said for him to die is GAIN. Losing the awareness of the presence of Christ is not a GAIN, actually it's a loss. Some may say, that it's a temporary loss, doesn't matter, holding to the view that we sleep upon the death of the body translates into a loss. Paul rejected this and said that to leave the body was a GAIN, not a loss. When we depart the body, we go to be with Christ, that's what Paul said. It is far better and it is a gain. Some people believe that when we die we are dead like a cow, that’s silly, that’s no gain. Other’s think that we just float around or are absorbed into the universe, that’s no gain either. According to Paul to depart from the body is: 1.) FAR BETTER 2.) GAIN 3.)TO BE WITH CHRIST The unscriptural doctrine of "Soul sleep" violates all of this. God has given us His Word to understand these things, let's go by what the Word says. To die in Christ is gain. II Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Scripture tells us to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Now, that’s better than better. Philippians 1:22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. I shall choose… This is kind of an amazing passage. Paul says, he hadn’t decided yet. Paul is the one making the choice. He didn't say, I’m leaving it in the hand of God. He said, “I don’t know what I shall choose”. Paul didn’t say, “I’m just praying for God’s will to be done” or “I don’t know what God is going to choose for me”. He said, “I don’t know what I will choose”. God gave the power of choice to Paul. He let Paul call the shot on this one. Philippians 1:23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Far better… Paul is talking about dying, Notice, Paul did not say that when he dies that it would be better for him. He says it would be FAR better, way better, much more better, better than better. What is meant by FAR BETTER? Well FAR BETTER means better than better. If upon passing to the other side, Paul slept, then he would be unconscious of God's presence, due to his sleep. Yet, here while in the flesh, Paul said to live is Christ, and that He now is conscious of Christ's indwelling presence. So, if Paul went to sleep, then he would have to go from an awareness of God's presence in this life to a lack of awareness due to sleep in the next. That is not "better" much less "far better", or “better than better”. Losing the awareness of God's presence due to "soul sleep" is not "far better", actually, it's less better.

Redroses, in my view, when Christians pass from the body, they go to be with Jesus. There is no such thing as "soul sleep."

gdemoss I think you show good insight and wisdom here and have a solid approach. As a general guideline, I usually say that I wont talk to a person about Jesus, until I have FIRST talked to Jesus about that person. For me, taking the approach to first talk to the Lord about a person before I talk to the person about the Lord has been a fruitful approach. I think you also mentioned how we need to be sensitive to the context of the situation. That was one of the reasons I posted the question. I spend much of my time around university professors who are strongly indoctrinated with Marxist ideology. Many of them are also much better versed in Christian beliefs, than is commonly believed. Naturally, with such a crowd, I have to present a pretty solid case as to why I believe the Bible is the inerrant Word of God and why I believe Jesus is God. gedmoss, thank you being a nice person and welcoming. God Bless, you

Good point, that this is your opinion. It seems that at times people take exception that this belief is a person's opinion. Not to be misunderstood, it is also my opinion that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God. We share this same measured and considered opinion. Let me expand just a touch on my position. I believe the Word of God is alive and has an indwelling anointing. It is not just an accurate record of what was said, but an ongoing Word of God speaking to us now. If the roof on my room blew off and a host of angelic trumpets blasted and God spoke to me in an audible voice, that would no more be the voice of God, than the written Word of God. It is my opinion, that one of the chief purposes of the written Word of God, is to reveal and unveil Jesus, the living Word of God. The written Word and living Word are connected together. Faith in the written Word of God, unveils the power of the Living Word. I treat the written Word, as if, God were audibly speaking to me from heaven.

gdemoss Thank you gdemoss, yes, Jesus is my Lord. I think you have a real good spirit about you and offer some clear and insightful comments. As I mentioned earlier, I'm on Christmas break from school and will go back in about a week. When school starts I am really busy so have a limited amount of time to discuss matters online. Because I teach in a very liberal secular university, people are often surprised that I am a Christian. Many of my fellow professors are often hostile to the Christian faith. Consequently, I am often asked to defend my belief in Christ. Two of the most common questions I am asked are: Who is Jesus and Why do you believe the Bible is God's Word. I posted these two questions because it is what I am most often asked. I did want to comment a little more on the rest of your post which I thought was excellent, but I have to run. I'll be back.

Thank you Jacob. I think you bring a lot of common sense and good advice to the discussion.