What do you think of Carlton Pearson?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlton_Pearson
He preaches what he calls the 'Doctrine of Inclusion' which states hell is on earth and everyone goes to heaven.
He believes the church uses hell to scare people. He's one of the few Christian theologians I respect as an Atheist.
What do you, as Christians, think of him?
2007-09-13 15:58:06 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
ALICE S: This man studied the Bible in Greek and Hebrew, the original languages in which it was written. What have you done?
2007-09-13 16:06:01 · update #1
He is a Pentecostal reverend and went to Oral Roberts University, so yes he is Christian.
2007-09-13 16:08:54 · update #2
a_t4evr: Funny, that's what Atheists say about theists.
2007-09-13 16:23:31 · update #3
I never hear of Pearson, did read your link to him I do know of Oral Roberts up in OK...however back to your guy. I think he might have a point indeed. I have often said that we make our own heaven and hell, and right now the way things are going on this Earth, I think he might be onto something. Look around, all the evil that man does to man, heck, there might just be different degrees of hell here on Earth or plains of existence, which ever. Hey...I hold and upper level degree in theology....I can accept his theory and think it would be extremely worth while to chat with him. After all....its feasible.
2007-09-13 16:17:31 · answer #1 · answered by kickinupfunf 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
He is delusional!!!!!!
All that education he received from Oral Roberts University and he made such a statement... come on people... that's why God intervenes and smack you upside your head... so you can take time to think about all that EDUMACATION in your head....
people didn't just leave his congregation or church just because he was so good, they left because he wasn't making any sense....when you start talking as if you know everything about God better than God himself, that's when your life will crumble and blessings will start to deminish right before your eyes....
I tell you this... I don't question God, I do as I am expected as a mother, wife, sister, daughter, friend, neighbor, etc...., I'm far from perfect, but I will never think I'm so educated that I know the truth and change or question what was written thousands of years ago through the spirit of God....if you don't believe me, the minute you want to test God.... you will never be the same, either you will change your beliefs or you will be like a wanderer.... always questioning every decision you made in life, never understanding why your life is without direction........
2007-09-13 16:14:27 · answer #2 · answered by a_t4evr 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know Cariton Pearson but he don't know nor believe the Bible God's Word. When people don't wish to believe the Bible they either change the Bible or write a new one. Mark 9: 46 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. Matthew 25: 46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
2007-09-13 16:09:52 · answer #3 · answered by Ray W 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, as a Christian (while I am NOT a hellfire/brimstone type) I cannot defer from the Bible. It would be nice if what he is preaching is true, but I can't buy into that. Frankly, I am more interested in the Bible's invitation to know God as a means to live life abundantly....over a means to avoid hell.
2007-09-13 16:06:13 · answer #4 · answered by Deb 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Doesn't sound like he is Christian, as he is not holding onto basic Christian beliefs and followings.
So it is a huge stretch to call him a "Christian theologian".
Add on:
Going to a Christian school and being made a pastor doesn't mean he isn't going down the wrong path. And yes even the devil knows scripture. It isn't Christian in basic teachings, plain and simple. He is making the bible like a salad bar, pick a choose what you like, and toss out the rest.
2007-09-13 16:05:24 · answer #5 · answered by Kathy H 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A little out there for me...I'm not a "hellfire and brimstone" Christian though. Personally, I think the popular Dante-esque picture of hell is, by definition, incorrect. "By definition" because it is a picture defined by human beings...it is a product of human imaginations limited to earthly perceptions.
How often did John say "I saw something like" (or other similes) in the book of Revelation. In that book, God was showing him scenes from the future and he was clearly trying to relate pictures he couldn't understand to things he could understand. That's what people do with hell and I don't believe ANY of us can possibly form an accurate picture.
The doctrine of inclusion bothers me because it really is a "best case scenario"...and in a situation where the true outcome is uncertain, it seems more rational to be at least a tad conservative. If there is a "remedial school", can't people flunk out...or choose to drop out? It doesn't seem consistent with the message of the bible that he will force everyone to accept his "house rules".
Hell exists...what it is, I don't know and I don't think anyone else knows either. If people want to speculate, that's their right, but I think it is potentially dangerous to believe you know what hell is like or to try to judge who will choose that existence (or non-existence if hell is eventually destroyed by God). It is a fact that we will die...hell is the natural outcome of death. Nothingness, a black void, rotting in a grave, brimstone, eternal, not eternal...we can't know what hell is like. ...but we can choose to accept that God wants to give us an eternal life with him or we can choose death...any specifics about what that "death" means are irrelevant.
Choose life or choose death...take your pick, I'm choosing life.
2007-09-13 16:29:40 · answer #6 · answered by KAL 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I only know what you posted... I did not go to the link... and I have never heard of Carlton Pearson... based on what you posted I would say without hesitation that that individual in not of The True Christian Faith... and while I personally do not preach "Hell fire and brimstone" I can tell you, and him, that if he dose not come
to God as God prescribes he will find himself eternally separated from God.... if he "dies" in that "belief he is in for a very sad and terrible shock when he wakes up and is standing at The Throne of Judgment... he is WRONG...as is any who teaches or follows that deception.
2007-09-13 16:09:37 · answer #7 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I tend to agree with his teaching about hell. Hell in the Bible in most cases is just another term for the grave. It is not an eternally burning place. But I doubt his "everyone goes to heaven" doctrine is supported by the Bible.
2007-09-13 16:06:52 · answer #8 · answered by Andy Roberts 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I don't know if I would be considered a fire and brimstone Christian, but biblically, that is insane unless you rip many many parts out and twist what is left.
I don't believe in the standard belief in Hell though, I see it as being burned to a crisp and just dying after this (as in, ceasing to exist at all) then, this seems the most scriptural.
2007-09-13 16:06:45 · answer #9 · answered by superninfreak777 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Sadly, I feel he will have much to answer for on judgment day as many people have fallen under his philosophy/doctrine of inclusion.
Atheists should respect him as his preaching does nothing to persuade people to change from their current wicked ways. It's too close to the "if it feels good, do it" mentality that is "man-centered" and not "God-centered."
2007-09-13 16:08:05 · answer #10 · answered by child of God 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋