In other words, what's more important, to live a good life and be a good person or to follow the rules of a religion and attend church, etc. If you are a good person but doubt the existence of God, can you gain entrance to heaven, assuming heaven exists? Or it is more important to believe in God faithfully, even if you lead a basically bad life.
2007-05-22 06:19:47 · 10 answers · asked by mikegreenwich 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I believe it's the good doubter that will go to heaven. BUT I'm sure you will be told otherwise.
2007-05-22 06:23:56 · answer #1 · answered by mrs O 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Define "good"...
The Christian perspective, if you look at the Sermon on the Mount, and Paul's comments in Romans is that ALL have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. Therefore it is false logic to assume that anyone is "good" enough of their own merits to earn entry into heaven.
So, I would dispute the notion that there is anyone who is "good" in an absolute sense. "Good" in a relative sense is not adequate.
Even a "good" believer does NOT make it to heaven on the basis of their intrinsic goodness. They make it to heavan on the basis of transfering their sins to Christ and receiving and being credited with his righteousness/goodness. This is done by grace through faith.
There ARE people who on an earthly sense, may have relatively more to be forgiven for than some others, but all forgiveness of sin ultimately comes by grace through faith.
Your question is kind of like asking "which pig is the cleanest, the one at the top of the filth pile or the one at the bottom?" The correct answer would be "neither are clean"...
Soli Deo Gloria
2007-05-22 06:29:24 · answer #2 · answered by doc in dallas 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The New Testament places more emphasis on how one lives than on what one believes, and even where it emphasizes faith it is talking about an attitude and not acceptance of propositions.
Paul's point in the first few chapters of Romans is precisely that those members of God's chosen people who thought that they were saved and would thus be forgiven no matter what they did, while others (non-Jews) would not be accepted even if they did the right things, were wrong. Yet so many Christians today read his argument and understand precisely the opposite!
2007-05-22 06:32:09 · answer #3 · answered by jamesfrankmcgrath 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When we die, we meet God, believe it or not. The question is, will we recognize Him?
Jesus told a story about two sons. One said he would do as his father asked him to do, then didn't. The other said he wouldn't do as his father asked him to do, then did.
Embedded in every doubter is a belief. That can be nourished through prayer.
2007-05-22 06:26:24 · answer #4 · answered by Grace 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As only those who believe make it in, of those choices it would have to be "a".
But I have yet to meet an example of an "a". Every person who I have meant who has a real and sincere belief in God (not just a hope that he might exist) is changed by the belief and not longer is a "basically bad" person.
2007-05-22 06:25:00 · answer #5 · answered by dewcoons 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
It does not matter what you do in life if you are not saved by the blood of Jesus you won't be in Heaven. If you believe in God's son Christ Jesus that he died for your sins, and repent of your sins then you won't lead a bad life because everything in your life will change for the better. I think it is better to be saved and he will lead your life then you have nothing to worry about.
2007-05-22 06:32:48 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Though you may not realize it, this is the very core of the Christian religion. Too many "christians" give lip-service to their "faith" while not "walking the walk".
Faith without works is dead. If you want to find the true church, find the one whose members, for the most part, "walk the walk".
2007-05-22 06:23:12 · answer #7 · answered by Open Heart Searchery 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Jesus said "no one comes to the Father but by me"
I'd say neither dude
2007-05-22 06:23:03 · answer #8 · answered by firechap20 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
niether one of them
2007-05-22 06:30:50 · answer #9 · answered by Adam of the wired 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I really don't know.
gw
2007-05-22 10:42:41 · answer #10 · answered by georgewallace78 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋