Is Jesus the only way 2

[billie]

Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

[trailmix_101]

Like I said--get to a good church and read in context. My opinion, is that you need a believing mentor. I pray that you will ask the pastor or youth leader of a church to help you find one. If you could be discipled while your faith is young and small, you will develop a firm foundation for it to grow...you need that badly, I see.

"To believe in God or in a guiding force because someone tells you to is the height of stupidity. We are given senses to receive our information within. With our own eyes we see, and with our own skin we feel. With our intelligence, it is intended that we understand. But each person must puzzle it out for himself or herself."Sophy Burnham

[RustyAngeL]

My one query to the idea that Christ is the only means to salvation is the idea - believed by most Christians on Worthy that I've encountered - that non-Christian or very young children don't go to hell. The theory behind this belief is that even though these children aren't saved - and being born sinful, should therefore have no way into heaven - God excercises an overruling judgement on their lives and lets them in. I think that, scripturally, there's no actual direct statement to prove this happens, but some people infer it from other verses. However, this would seem to be completely contradicted by other parts of the Bible, namely the absolute statement that the ONLY way into heaven is through acceptance of Christ. And because of this, I know there are also people on Worthy - most notably Butero and Whysoblind - who believe that dead children go to hell. Personally, while I find this idea abhorrent (assuming I believed in hell), scripturally, I can't see any way around it; I tend to think that others believe in God's mercy towards children (1) because he is often described as a merciful God and (2) because they couldn't bear to believe otherwise. But my point is, if God overrules the need for salvation to let children into heaven, then you can't say Christ is the only way to be saved - potentially, God could pull the override switch for anyone, and given that there's no scriputre explicitly providing who this can happen to, it makes no sense as an idea to assume that adults are all ruled out.

That's my contribution. What do others think?

You make a very good point. This is something that cannot be reconciled because, well, the bible doesn't give us a definite answer. I would like to think that all children go to heaven, and maybe the dogs too, but I cannot give you a scriptural answer.

Now, lets bring this back to the "tribesmen". If I remember the earlier thread correctly, we basically got to the point where we believed that "God reveals himself, therefore, Jesus reveals himself". But, I want to bring another question into contention. The bible is a very important part of the Christian lifestyle. Does anyone here believe that, a person who has never heard the gospel of Christ can still get into heaven? I mean, hear the gospel. Not seeing a burning bush or anything of that sort. But seriously hearing the story of Jesus.

I know that some one will post this but there is a scripture that says they will be without excuse. That God does reveal Himself.

[AnExample]

I was/am a born again christian, Im just not exactly sure what I believe (people wrote the bible not God so I dont think the Bible is the word of God).

I'm just asking a lot of questions. so even if I never understand my beliefs or change would I still be saved? (of course i doubt im saved anyway. i was born out of wedlock and well we know what the OT says about that)

If you do not believe that the Bible is the word of God, how can you claim to be born again Christian? Do understand what it means to be born again or to be a Christian? I'm asking because you claim you are not exactly sure what you believe, that your beliefs change and you question if you are saved doubting your salvation.

Being born out of wedlock has nothing to do with your salvation. Don't let whatever thoughts you have on that be an obstacle to your path to the Lord. God's children don't doubt the Word of God. Have you read Worthy's statement of faith? If not you might want to.

I am a born again christian in that I have accepted Jesus as my saivor in the past but have set him aside to get answers before I continue any spiritual work. I dont believe the Bible is the word of God because it was written by man and has contradictions. your post catches the exact internal fight I am experiencing right now. The Bible has contradictions, which means it cant be the word of God, therefore how can I believe some parts and not others.

oh and the Bble verse to back up what I said:

Deu 23:2 A bastard shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to his tenth generation shall he not enter into the congregation of the LORD.

I have heard the OT doesn't apply, I've heard it does and i've head only the religious practices parts dont apply. well if either of the last two in my last sentence are true, myself and many generations of my offspring are right now damned, no matter our actions.

And my family says "well that was the culture then" and they are probably correct, but then that adds support to my previous statement that the Bible is the word of man and not God if current culture can influence what it says.

When you are born again, you are accepted into the family of Godl. You are no longer a bastard . You become a child of God. A bastard is one having no father. God is our Father.

[systemstrike_7]

"The bible is like a drug store. It's contents remain the same, but the medical practise changes."

You can guess who said this....

[Floatingaxe]

"The bible is like a drug store. It's contents remain the same, but the medical practise changes."

You can guess who said this....

Who cares what he says? Really? Can you not say anything wise or goofy yourself? Come on, I know you can!

[systemstrike_7]

"The bible is like a drug store. It's contents remain the same, but the medical practise changes."

You can guess who said this....

Who cares what he says? Really? Can you not say anything wise or goofy yourself? Come on, I know you can!

Actually, I can sometimes pull something out of my butt. He's just a little better at it. And I guess it doesn't really matter what he says, but is this not the truth?

[Ovedya]

"The bible is like a drug store. It's contents remain the same, but the medical practise changes."

You can guess who said this....

Who cares what he says? Really? Can you not say anything wise or goofy yourself? Come on, I know you can!

Actually, I can sometimes pull something out of my butt. He's just a little better at it. And I guess it doesn't really matter what he says, but is this not the truth?

The Bible is the only time-tested panacea for all of men's ills.

I said that.

[systemstrike_7]

"The bible is like a drug store. It's contents remain the same, but the medical practise changes."

You can guess who said this....

Who cares what he says? Really? Can you not say anything wise or goofy yourself? Come on, I know you can!

Actually, I can sometimes pull something out of my butt. He's just a little better at it. And I guess it doesn't really matter what he says, but is this not the truth?

The Bible is the only time-tested panacea for all of men's ills.

I said that.

Side effects include:

Light-headedness

Nausea

Genocide

War

Oppression

*Results may vary from person to person.

[Ovedya]

"The bible is like a drug store. It's contents remain the same, but the medical practise changes."

You can guess who said this....

Who cares what he says? Really? Can you not say anything wise or goofy yourself? Come on, I know you can!

Actually, I can sometimes pull something out of my butt. He's just a little better at it. And I guess it doesn't really matter what he says, but is this not the truth?

The Bible is the only time-tested panacea for all of men's ills.

I said that.

Side effects include:

Light-headedness

Nausea

Genocide

War

Oppression

*Results may vary from person to person.

You forgot to include: "Side effects are reported in a minority of cases..."