Why does Christianity say we have a choice for salvation?

Question

Suppose God exists, and he says, through a book written a long time ago, "Believe that I exist or you will go to a very bad place when you die." Threats of violence aside, how is this a choice? It's like a robber putting a gun to your head and saying, "You have two choices. Give me your wallet or I'll blow your brains out."

Answer 1

Welcome to the wonderful world of Christianity. There all brainwashed followers and don't know any better. They have yet to learn how to become an individual.

Answer 2

It is a choice in the way that the robber, who has had his whole family kidnapped and told that he must blow a particular man's brains or else his family will be killed and if he didn't that man was certainly going to have his brains blown out by someone else (and it was certainly believable) --but none of these bad things will happen if he just got this particular man's wallet. So he threatens the man for his wallet without the man having any idea of what's behind it. That man has a choice though an poorly informed one- because getting his brains blown out is an inevitablity and what he doesn't realize is the robber truly doesn't want it to happen and is only acting to avoid it.

Sounds complicated? That's what happens when you rectify the logic of an incoherent fool. The Bible doesn't predicate salvation in the belief that God exists nor does it guarantee hell as an absolute eternal destination. The choice is in accepting or not the fullness of life offered in Christianity's teaching and the opportunity to find that life beyond the destruction of death that we all inevitably face.

But then an atheist steps in and knocks away the gun and pummels the robber... and the proudly tells the man, "See, I have rescued you from obviously a logical and certain death! Even though I don't know you or anything about you or what the situation is, based on all available information, it was certainly a good thing I was here!" Just then the atheist looks to the man to get few bucks out of his wallet or at least some congratulatory thank you (see, atheists have absolutely no reason to aid someone unless there is an element of self-interest and they fling themselves into situations even if plainly, they don't have all the facts because they are more than willing to misrepresent facts anyway for that rush of self-satisfaction.) And at that very moment a sniper's bullet whizzes through the air and the man's head explodes. The atheist is in shock! "That bullet almost hit me! I could've been killed!" he exclaims. "See what happens when I try to help someone?"

Answer 3

It shouldn't be like that...but people want to make their own way to heaven. But Christians are pretty consistant with the belief of salvation minus Catholics and Morons. Although they are both as different as can be, they don't have the same plan of salvation that all the other denominations do. Catholics believe in works and fulfillment of sacraments, and Morons believe in fulfillment of sacraments, along with works and faith ....of course this is a general list, not complete. Most of the other Christian faiths go on faith in Christ alone. It is the obvious choice when you know the Bible, which a lot of Christians don't

Answer 4

Because you do have choice. If not you will not be what you are today.

Wrong analogy.

The whole point of believing in God, is that that person will believe in the teaching of that certain religion let it be Judaism, Christianity or Islam. Yes. they all believe in God. Don't be shock. believing in God is the first thing you do, then practicing the teaching next. If you don't believe, why would you think anyone will blow your brains out. only you will not be in the same room with the above people. so to speak.

On the up side. If you don't believe why worry about it, or even ever wonder if it was true or not if you are so sure they are wrong and you are right! Don't worry.

Answer 5

God presents you with a gift. He tells you that if you use the gift correctly, you will find your life is filled with Love and Joy and Peace...and that you will be able to have even more of the same in the next life.

If you deny the gift...you are on your own.

Accepting and using the gift isn't easy. But in the end, it is worth it.

Accepting or rejecting the gift...either one you choose...you will end up somewhere you never thought could exist. The question is...will you be awed and delighted or will you be horror struck?

Answer 6

We all have choices. God is giving everyone a choice to go to heaven or hell. You can say no. He does not hold a gun to your head. He does not force you to choose Him. You have to be the one who will make a choice. The Holy Spirit is the one that calls us to God. If you choose to not listen, then that is your belief.

Answer 7

You really don't have a choice. We are all going to die and we all deserve hell. Salvation is when God chooses you and offers you an alternative.

There are a lot of things you don't have a choice over, the weather, what color your eyes are, how tall you are etc..

Answer 8

Salvation is not a choice. God ordained a Savior for the world and mankind, long before He created the world and mankind. Luke3:6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.`1Cor, 3:15 If any mans work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. Mans work is either good or evil. Good work is rewarded, evil work is burned. (But not the man). 1Tim.4:10 For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those that believe. Especially does not mean "only", as many want you to think. It means special. Believers are special to God. But God loves all. John 5:21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead and quickeneth (make alive) them, even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. Jesus quickens in this (our) lifetime, and the Father quickens all in the next . ( Lake of fire) Lake means pond, pond means harbor, harbor means haven...... Isn't haven a safe place? Fire in the lake of fire verses means lightning, lightning means divine, divine means deity, deity means God. 1Tim . 2: 3-4 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior. Who (will have) all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth......Unfortunately most of mankind doesn't think that God is powerful enough to make this happen.

Answer 9

Christianity says we have a choice because we have the right to choose. To choose between good or evil. We all deserve Hell because we were automaticaly born into sin because of our parents Adam and Eve. So Jesus died for our sins so that we would have the choice to choose. Choose life or choose death. We all know the difference between right and wrong so there are choices that we have to make in life everyday.

Answer 10

Suppose God exists? Okay, that puts you, the atheist, with a gun to your head, saying, "suppose you're a robber. That's not only not a gun, here, let me help you pull the trigger to prove it."

Answer 11

Don't have to suppose. God does indeed exist! So since he does exist or if as you say you are supposing he does, we better find out what he wants of us. What does he want of us? He wants us to love him like he loves us. And he wants us to obey his laws. His word the Bible says this.

Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 1st John 5:1-3

So we love God and keep his commandments and they are not hard to keep. Very simple really.

1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.

Come to Christ!