So sayeth this post:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/?qid=20060803224637AAelDtQ&r=w#NbUvWDK6UjWEjhdOfGrm
Is that what Jesus taught?
Is that how God shows his love for all of humanity?
There are a chosen few, and He determines who they will be?
Wow. So much for free-will, faith, and all that jazz.
At least Buddhism places nirvana in the hands of the practitioner.
2006-08-03 19:01:41 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
God has the benefit of viewing us in hindsight, from the end of time. I do not. But I'm not real thilled with massive bombarments of evangelizm, or door to door salesmanship either. The fact that a Christian can live at peace with God, and the world is all that's really nescessary to challenge (and sometimes accuse) the great unwashed. This has been true since righteous Able's sacrifice was acceptable, in his brother's face...
2006-08-03 19:27:13 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
Nonsense. Furthermore, even if God has predestined, that wouldn't stop anyone from evangelizing. First of all, God would have predestined them to evangelize, and secondly would have predestined people to be converted by evangelizing.
Buddhism places nirvana in the hands of the practitioner, but what kind of suicidal nihilist would prefer destruction to life?
2006-08-04 02:05:47 · answer #2 · answered by koresh419 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It gets into a circular type argument. Just because something's predestined does not negate the possibility of cause and effect. I'm sure evangelical Christians see themselves as being predestined to talk to some guy who's predestined to recognize Jesus but hasn't done so yet. I think it was Calvinism that had very very strict beliefs about predestination and consequences, such that if you ever sin, it's evidence that you were not predestined to go to heaven. Crazy strict.
2006-08-04 02:07:12 · answer #3 · answered by Phil 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are quoting a Calvanistic philosophy that is highly flawed. The bible is quite clear that God would have it that all men would be saved, the choice is up to them if they believe or not.
Rom 5:20 "God's law was given so that (all) people could see how sinful they were".
II Peter 3:9 " .....He (God) does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent".
So in answer to your question, no, that is not what Jesus taught.
2006-08-04 02:19:11 · answer #4 · answered by foxray43 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, there are not "a chosen-few", God is open to all who choose to accept Him. God did not pre-destine people to heaven or hell. He does allow free choice. But because He is God, He already knows what you will ultimately choose. He knew before you were born. That does not mean He made the choice for you. He wants people to follow Him, he gives us all ample opportunity, unconditional love, and grace and mercy that we, as sinners, do not deserve, but we decide. Therefore, those of us that evangelize, we do it so that others will not perish, but have everlasting life. As for Buddhism, I do not even have time for that .. a fat, bald statue... yeah.. would not follow that !
2006-08-04 02:16:01 · answer #5 · answered by Amy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God gives us free will - each person makes choices on their own. Don't you? It is an undisputable truth.
Also true is that God knows the beginning from the end and the end from the beginning. He knows everything that has happened and will happen. But does not interfere with our choice of action.
He does NOT make the decision who will and will not accept him. It was not his purpose to make us all like robots, with no choice. In his wisdom he knew there was no value in that.
That was an example of someone willing to fabricate to "prove" their point.
Jesus did not say anything like that.
Could not be further from the truth!
2006-08-04 02:20:43 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
no God has not predestined who will accept His son, that sounds alot like a mormon belief but in Christianity God has given us free will and the thing about Him knowing before hand is because God is not in time. God sees our past, present and future all at once, so He sees us accepting Him at the same time He sees us die. and at the same time sees Old testament prophets and the beginning of time.
2006-08-04 02:07:27 · answer #7 · answered by tonyman20012002 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God sees the human drama in its entirety. He knows who chooses Him before the story even begins. He then chooses those who choose Him...a mutual choice... to spend Eternity with Him. "Chosen from before the foundation of the world." We evangelize so that those chosen will have the chance to make the choice. Its not that hard to understand...
2006-08-04 20:16:18 · answer #8 · answered by novalee 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I went to an amusement park . On the way out I had my hand stamped. I really enjoyed the day. I can get back in the evening. If I don't, it's not much use tomorrow.
I left heaven and came to earth. I had my hand stamped. Fortunately I had a friend who told me I could go back. I think you had your hand stamped too.
2006-08-04 02:25:19 · answer #9 · answered by Woody 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Free will is a fun thing... the answer you get is something like "You have free will, but God already knows what choice you will make."
2006-08-04 02:07:16 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋