5 most shocking things in the Bible

I like your explanation, too. But, why the fascination with Hell? If you read into my post a little, my life has been kind of a journey. I have strayed from attending regular church services because a lot of the people who go and are deacons, elders, or whatever are some of the biggest low-lifes in the world. My work with special needs students has become what I refer to as "that thing God wants me to do." I'm not a special educator, my kids aren't mentally retarded, and nobody in my family has anything wrong with them. Why all of a sudden (four years ago) does this thought cross my brain when I am out running? Why has it come so naturally for me and others can't do it? Why do things continue to happen making me branch out further? To me, it's God. Now, I don't know scripture, other than the obvious ones, I don't attend church, and I am less than perfect. Am I going to Hell or am I fulfilling God's will in my own, unique way. I often tell people that I am most spiritual when I am working out with my music turned way up. That is when I am most at peace and ponder all the things I have to ponder. Is that any different than attending church?

I would hope that Christians do not have a fascination with Hell. I personally don't. It is not a place I want to go. None of us are perfect, as there was only one perfect man to walk this earth. It is like your children, and if you have children of your own, you will understand this. There comes a time in a child's life when they can understand right from wrong. That doensn't mean that they will automatically choose right, even if you are the most devout Christian ever. It means that they must know the consequences of their actions. If you don't tell them about hell, then you are not telling them the whole story. As Paul Harvey says, "and now for the rest of the story." There is a hell and it is place to shun. The Bible teaches that there is only one way to heaven and that is through, Jesus Christ. I can relate to your spiritual experiences alone. If you remember, Jesus often went to the mountain top alone to pray. I spend a lot of time alone, and it gives me the opportunity to meditate and think. Hope this makes sense.

As usual, great post teach. Good works unfortuantely do not get you into heaven. Although you should abide by the golden rule, and help others, it is all for naught without repenting, and accepting Christ as your savior.

As stated above, Hell is to be shunned, and it must be told. IMO it is part of the faith process. You must have faith of a Hell, for there to be a true belief of Heaven.

Both of you have top-notch posts!! Good stuff to ponder.

Remember that those church leaders you're talking about are human too, and are subject to mistake and falling short of what we might expect them to be. I am by no means a "super" Christian, but I would certainly hope that my walk reflects my faith. I have no obsession with Hell either, as I just know that it is as real as Heaven. Teach has given you some very wise words, words that come from personal experience. You would do well to heed them.
I've been on this Christian walk for a long time now. I've led Bible study in a Sunday School setting for at least 25 years, and served as a church deacon for ten. My faith has been tested and tried, and I have felt far from God at times. In ALL of those times I found that the problem was not with God, but with me. As I've matured as a Christian, I've found that God is not as interested in the results of my witness as He is in the effort I put forth. After all, the results are up to Him, not me. When we learn to put in the effort and trust Him for the result, we learn to do more than just "walk" in faith...we can run!!

I hope you find your stride. [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

I've had debates with atheists over evidence. They ask where the evidence of God is. Hebrews I believe in Chapter 11 talks about that. The evidence is faith. Then they say, "well where's the scientific evidence".

I don't need scientific evidence to know God is real. Faith is what I need.

Thanks! And again, a great post. But, I am still perplexed that people focus on Hell, evil, etc. rather than doing good. You all pass the signs in front of the churches in your communities. How many of them have positive messages? This is the first time I have ever expressed my religious beliefs and it does feel a bit odd. Why, I'm afraid of going to Hell, just like everybody else, if I say something wrong. I have never felt more free and happy since I haven't been to church and I think I have been a much better person and definitely more active in making the world a better place. But, where does someone like me fit in to the "Hell Ledger."

I think you're expressing what I'm trying to say.

There is a Heaven and there is a Hell

Christian life is supposed to be showing love for others, to help lead/guide the lost to Christ.

I know that people should be made aware of Hell, but if you make it a scare tactic, are people coming to Christ because they believe in him, want everlasting life or are they going 'dang I dont wanna go to that place, take my chances with the other way'.

I know I've heard more than one person say something like that in the past. Something along the lines of "I don't know if there is a Hell but just in case I don't want to end up there".

Its the old scared straight program on a religious scale. You see what happens to people who continue down your crime filled life, they go to prison, which is terrible. Are you really having people change, or just trying to avoid something.

Hard to explain [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[ QUOTE ]
I've had debates with atheists over evidence. They ask where the evidence of God is. Hebrews I believe in Chapter 11 talks about that. The evidence is faith. Then they say, "well where's the scientific evidence".

I don't need scientific evidence to know God is real. Faith is what I need.

[/ QUOTE ]

The Bible says that in just looking around us we should know that God IS, simply by the wonder of His creation; and that we have NO EXCUSE if we deny that He IS.
Personally, I think it takes more "faith" to not believe in Him!
I'd rather believe in Him and be wrong, than to deny that he exists and be wrong!!! [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Wow! That's really well put. Completely agree.