Not sure what to write in this entry. Have been learning lots about just writing anyway, and things will come. It’s been slamming doors and moving things around. So maybe I should listen….
First of all….who are we? We are an everlasting spirit that never dies. That brings up some things about Christianity that I have questions about. If we are a spirit, but we have one life to live, what happened(s) to us before we were born and after we die? We must have had an existence somehow, somewhere. Christianity doesn’t allow for that unless it’s heaven or hell, but how can we be in either place before we were born? How could we “accept Christ” before we were born? No one ever said anything about that. So where were we…in heaven or hell? Does that make any sense?
Another thing, since we are an immortal spirit, what have we been doing for 14 billion years, as scientists, and many other religions, say….or even 6000 years…as Creationists say. We will live forever but only has less than 100 years of experience. Doesn’t make sense. There is a story in the Bible where Lazarus, in Abraham’s bosom, (What does that mean, and where is it?) is talking to someone suffering in “hell.” So that means there is experience after death, and it’s a lot longer than life here on Earth. Maybe we should spend some time thinking and researching that!
Maybe that’s why some religions say that we reincarnate, or have many lives. Seems to make sense, since we must be doing something. That could also mean that we could be anywhere in the Universe, wouldn’t it? That would be a “life” too. It just isn’t explained very well, and when there are unanswered questions, we begin to wonder and research…and learn.
Another question is that if we don’t accept Christ in this life; we spend the rest of our existence in hell. Wow, that’s a long time! And what does “accepting Christ” mean? Every denomination has a different definition. Some say you have to be “reborn” and some say you have to be baptized, go through some sort of training, and be made a “Christian.” So what is the answer, and do we decide what it takes, or does Christ?? It says in the Bible that our faith is shown by our works. Well, Christians are not doing so well in that area. They have as many or more divorces, and generally have about the same life, as “non-Christians.” So, even most of the Christians are not even “saved,” as shown by their works, and are not going to heaven. So that leaves at least 90% of all the people that ever lived in hell, or are going to be.
Doesn’t sound good for God, does it?
Looks like the devil is winning. Is that possible? It says not in the Bible…that in the end, God wins. That’s not much of a victory, since they can’t ever leave hell! (as evidenced by the Lazarus story..the man in “hell” could not escape. ..Luke 16:19-31.)
And there’s the unanswered question of what if Christ was never preached to them, how will they know? (Romans 10:14) Someone explained it this way. Everyone has a chance to accept Him, because He will appear to them, and then they have to make a decision. Well, there goes the need for a church and teaching and living a good life, because for some Hindus, Christ will appear to them and they just have to decide one way or the other. My head hurts from that logic…or illogic!!!
So this is why I have been doing much research into what is really “true.” Since we have a long time to live, what is our purpose here on Earth, or wherever else we may be before and after? Since we have God living on the inside of us (The Bible says the Kingdom of God is within us, Luke 17:21.), wouldn’t a better way to think about it is that we are here to learn about realizing more of God in us…and the more we learn, the more God grows within us. God might be “out there,” but what difference does that make since the whole Kingdom is within us? Maybe we should pay more attention to what’s happening inside of us. Maybe should be responsible for our lives, and our “salvation.” Maybe we should be aware of who is trying to control us. Many forces are saying, “My religion is the only way to God,” and they go out and kill all others who don’t “believe.” (All religions have done this.) That’s their definition of Love, because “God is Love.” It’s like they know God better than God does! Some have said, “We create God in our own image,” instead of the other way around!
So Christianity has some holes in it….it can’t answer all the questions, such as….What gets us into “heaven,” or 90% of the people in hell…come on!!! These questions have to be answerable, or we walk around in doubt, which is the opposite of faith. That does not work in our lives. We live by faith… not doubt our destiny…our “ending.” The questions need to be answered.
To Your Best
Vince
vsalzer@vincesalzer.com
