Why? It is a ligitimate question is it not?
Question:
I once knew a person who spoke 4 languages, earned a Masters, started her own business and was on the verge of
becoming very wealthy. Suddenly she died. Since Christians believe that when the soul goes to heaven, it does not carry the brain's IQ, talents or other things learned while on earth, was her time here meaningless? Also, without the developed brain power in the soul, what do you have to offer your God and what need will he have of you?
2007-11-29 04:40:22 · 27 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
i think knowledge and what a person does to help others goes with u ... wealth and position is meaningless if its all about the self ..
2007-11-29 04:44:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 3⤋
I wasn't here for the first question.
As far as I know, all knowledge goes with you, you retain yourself as you are. I know she'll use her talents to serve God in her own special way.
The only other thing I can tell you is that once the second resurrection comes, we will forget the past, but I'm not sure about talents.
Who knows, Maybe we'll all speak the same language up there, so that may not even be a necessary skill, but it was very helpful here on Earth so her abilities on this earth defiantly counted.
2007-11-29 12:53:23 · answer #2 · answered by I'm Here 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Is it a legitimate question? Yes, though it seems a bit generalized.
Was her time here meaningless? No, although it may have a different meaning that what you expect. Also, not every Christian believes that. I, for one, believe that every memory you have here will be retained in heaven, even those that you've forgotten here on earth. Plus, you will know things that you didn't even have questions for here on earth. In other words, your knowledge base will increase exponentially. I don't have any basis for this belief, except that I was told this, and it makes sense. (Even if we're wrong, and death is the end of existence, that, in itself, will answer the questions.)
What need does God have of us? None. He doesn't need us at all. We exist only because He wants us, not because He needs us. Again, this is only my opinion and should not be used to generalize all Christians.
I hope you get the answers you're looking for.
2007-11-29 12:53:12 · answer #3 · answered by King James 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Are you sure that all Christians believe that what is known as the brain/mind/talents are not forwarded on into all of eternity?
Many Christians tend to feel that their responsibility is to do the will of God and they do that by using their willpower to build up God's kingdom on planet earth. So it appears that ideas like willpower are believed by Christians to pass onto the other side aka Celestial City.
Christians believe all of the above by exercising their imagination.
If Superman and Batman can live forever, so can Christians?
Official Church answer: It's all a matter of belief.
Official Church off the record answer: No one knows but that's a top, trade secret not to be revealed to anyone and never, ever to be posted on the Internet/www.
It is the purpose of the religious actors and actresses in church (aka the high priests, popes, and ministers) never to wander from their roles of keeping the story going. The business of the non-profit church must go on from generation to generation, from collection plate to collection plate, thereby ensuring a continuous revenue stream and positive cashflow for ever and ever and ever. Praise be to the God of Profit.
Amen and amen.
2007-11-29 13:04:02 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe the Christians don't want to answer this question because you are thinking in terms of "flesh" and not spirit. I know from the description that is given in the Bible that Jesus sits on the right hand of God, and we will be judged according to what we have done. There will be crowns given on judgment day. We know there will be a rapture when those in Christ shall rise (Heaven) , but don't know when. And our earthly bodies will change in heaven. The other fact is not much is described about heaven, and I think that our earthly minds would not be able to grasp something as wonderful.
2007-11-29 13:11:28 · answer #5 · answered by Snoot 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Most likely it is because no one can have that knowledge. I can offer my speculation, God loves us unconditionally like our parents are supposed to love us. If I lost my knowledge and talents I think my parents would still find me worthy of their love. I think it would be the same with God.
Time on Earth is never meaningless as long as you lived a life that made you feel happy and fulfilled will you were alive. If on my death bed I discovered there was no God I would still be happy about the life I am leaving behind.
2007-11-29 12:48:48 · answer #6 · answered by Libby anne 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Since when do Christians believe that the soul doesn't retain IQ, talents, etc.? I think you're confusing us with Buddhists and Nirvana.
The orthodox belief is that the soul is given a new, perfect body in the resurrection, remaining a whole person. That person is rewarded (one way or another) for what is done in this life, so there would have to be retention of intellect. Heaven or hell would be meaningless without this. Those receiving eternal life would not be able to worship or participate in the kingdom without intellect or talents. As to things learned in this life, most of them probably ARE meaningless in an eternal sense, except as they encourage our relationship with God.
2007-11-29 12:45:15 · answer #7 · answered by r_moulton76 4 · 4⤊ 2⤋
To enter in Heaven is not based on your physicaly or IQ charachteristics.
You go there only if you have good exemple in your life. If you feed the hunger people, if you dress the poor people, if you visit the people in jail, if you get a glass of water to a thirsty man, if you visit the ill people. And so on.
What is your IQ power for God. Is only a power gived by Him to you. And is important what you did with this. If you become only a rich guy with no mercy for the Lazarus, maybe you are in hell.
Depend of us what to do with the ghifts from God.
God bless you
2007-11-29 12:51:44 · answer #8 · answered by krabul 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
On judgment day, we will be asked by the Lord, "What did you do with what I gave you." He intelligence was a gift from God and if she used it to serve Him and would have shared her weath with the less fortunate....then she would have taken what God had given her, brains and talents to do His work on earth.
God in essence does not need us. But He is love and therefore loves us. When a person accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit comes to live inside of them. The Spirit gives each person a gift of the Spirit or gifts that are to be used to glorify God and spread God's love in this messed up world. See First Corinthians 12.
Actually, your question is not a very legitimate one. It also sounds like you are deeply grieved by the loss of a friend.
2007-11-29 12:53:24 · answer #9 · answered by agnes 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Your first mistake is lumping all Christians together. I have been a Christian for many years and have never in my life heard that the "soul going to heaven means it does not carry the brain's IQ". In a physical sense I suppose so, but I believe you will have thoughts and feelings in Heaven, maybe your perspective will be different, but if I carry no thoughts in life, what good would going to heaven be?
2007-11-29 12:44:51 · answer #10 · answered by Scott B 7 · 8⤊ 1⤋
God doesn't really need anything from us. God requires only devotion and faith. That is the nature of his omnipotence, but I absolutely believe that you take your knowledge of/from Earth to Heaven.
Also, you are still thinking about this person, and mentioning her to other people, so her time on Earth was obviously not wasted. She left a memory of an intelligent and motivated woman, that's for sure.
2007-11-29 12:51:32 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋