I think that most mainstream Christian denominations hold this as how things will work on Judgment Day:
You could be Josef Stalin, Adolf Hitler, a serial child killer, or some other scumbag who caused a huge amount of suffering in the world, but if you repent and accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior on your deathbed, you go to heaven. However, if you were a virtuous pagan (e.g. Gandhi) who tried very hard to live a holy life, but reject the Christian religion, you'd burn in Hell.
How, by the beard of Thor, could you even remotely consider this just? Yes, I know the tired old answer is "Because God's ways are not our own"--but what if 'God's ways' are 180-degrees out of whack with our concepts of justice? If this is just (in some sort of 'divine' way), then black is white, up is down, and the whole Christian religion is standing on its head...
2007-12-23 00:00:23 · 11 answers · asked by crypto_the_unknown 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Note: Simply repeating the "Jesus died for our sins" mantra for the billionth time doesn't qualify as an answer. I want actual theology, folks...
2007-12-23 00:18:39 · update #1
Astarte, your childish flame post has been reported.
2007-12-23 00:23:52 · update #2
Actually, no, we don't think that way, and I'm one of those mainstream Christians.
Yes, you can repent on your deathbed, and if it is a genuine thing, you will see Heaven.
No, I don't believe Gandhi went to Hell because he wasn't a Christian. God judges the heart based on the love in that person's heart; did Gandhi have that love? Then that is all that is important.
2007-12-23 00:21:11 · answer #1 · answered by arewethereyet 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe the Christian teaching on 'judgement' is flawed.
The only idea we have of 'judgement' is that which is encountered within the legal (ie judicial) system - hence judgement = guilty or not guilty.
This is to the detriment of the other interpretation of the word, which suggests something more like a giving of an account for our actions - in which case we can plead our ignorance or whatever - admit we were wrong and claim Christ's blood as an atonement maybe?
God looks at the heart when he 'judges' - so perhaps its not so much the actions we performed/omitted but why we did it that counts more. There won't be any possibility of faked repentance when faced with the ultimate reality of what we've done or failed to do.
2007-12-23 08:18:30 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think we need tread very gently on this subject. The Bible is very clear that one must accept Christ to be saved. The Bible also states we will know true believers by "their fruits". I believe judgement is God's and God's alone. A deathbed confession does not necessairly mean eternal life. Again, that is God's decision. Jesus said that in the last times He would tell many that He knew them not, even though they claimed to be believers, and to get away from Him.
2007-12-23 09:18:44 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If only Good people go to heaven , What qualifies as Good ? Your description of good will differ from the next person .I really doubt Stalin heard the gospel because he mocked the gospel and denied their was even a God. That is why Jesus came to earth to pay for the believers sins and to get the gospel to be taught and preached to all ends of the earth of his free salvation plan to any one who hears his word and accepts Jesus as their savior. Nobody deserves to be in heaven , it by the Grace of God that we have the chance.
2007-12-23 08:10:09 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
God is just in this judgement
He went to hell for you , so that you do not have to
It is fair and just if you want to reject his plan of salvation
remember He did go to hell to get a taste of His own medicine and then rose again on the third day to show you what he will do for all those who repent
2007-12-23 08:21:05 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
The only ones who find it just are the ones who think they are the ones who will benefit. Everyone else finds it not only extremely unjust, but downright ridiculous.
The poster above me is one that thinks he'll benefit, which means he thinks he can treat others as shite and simply repent later on. Isn't he a wonderful person?
2007-12-23 08:05:17 · answer #6 · answered by russj 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋
When Jesus died on the cross He died for all sins. That means the murders, thieves, and even the child molesters. God wishes all to repent and give their lives to Him. He wishes no one to go to Hell. We make that choice when we reject Him. He sends no one to Hell, we send ourselves. All someone has to do to be saved is admit that you are a sinner, believe that Jesus is Lord and Savior, confess your sins to Him and accept Him as Lord and Savior and you will be saved from Hell.
2007-12-23 08:12:11 · answer #7 · answered by tabbycat 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Exactly right.
The whole thing has been turned upside-down. The resource below makes that point in a number of different ways. The whole Original Christian Gospel has been turned upside-down.
It has happened gradually over time, but it has happened. It's all upside-down.
2007-12-23 08:09:35 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
Like you said, "God's ways are not our ways". Plus there is no guarantee that any scum bag on their death bed will receive just because they ask.
2007-12-23 08:14:35 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
alot of them are probally standing on their heads but it's not their right to judge since were all supposed to be jugded in the end
2007-12-23 08:06:59 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋