You're gonna burn in hell (but not the one by TS)

Post by **SonomaCat** » Tue Jun 28, 2005 11:01 am

And yes, of course, there are many people who are born again not out of extremely tough circumstances, but out of just looking for something missing. That part, it is safe to say, also constitutes a portion that can be described as many/most of the population of born again Christians.

Post by **SonomaCat** » Tue Jun 28, 2005 11:01 am

And yes, of course, there are many people who are born again not out of extremely tough circumstances, but out of just looking for something missing. That part, it is safe to say, also constitutes a portion that can be described as many/most of the population of born again Christians.

Of course, they are all going to hell, because Islam is the only true religion.

Post by **kmax** » Tue Jun 28, 2005 11:06 am

Perhaps the problem here is a somewhat semantic one then. You are using the term born again to mean anyone who has become a Christian after messing up their life as a non-Christian. However, the evangelical Christians that you are talking about use the term born again for anyone that has accepted Jesus as their savior. Thus the child who accepts Jesus in Sunday school is born again just as the murderer in jail that accepts Christ is born again. If you want to go with your definition I guess I can see where you could make a case for a larger portion being that way, however if you go with what the term actually means in the context of the faith, then it is, as I said, a gross exaggeration.

catatac · Post by **catatac** » Tue Jun 28, 2005 11:23 am

Sorry for jumping in here late if this has already been covered, but how do Christians deal with the idea that there are billions of people that are never exposed to the concept, therefore never have the option to "Accept Jesus" throughout their lifetimes? Are they damned to hell due to geography, or age of death?

Post by **SonomaCat** » Tue Jun 28, 2005 11:44 am

kmax wrote:Perhaps the problem here is a somewhat semantic one then. You are using the term born again to mean anyone who has become a Christian after messing up their life as a non-Christian. However, the evangelical Christians that you are talking about use the term born again for anyone that has accepted Jesus as their savior. Thus the child who accepts Jesus in Sunday school is born again just as the murderer in jail that accepts Christ is born again. If you want to go with your definition I guess I can see where you could make a case for a larger portion being that way, however if you go with what the term actually means in the context of the faith, then it is, as I said, a gross exaggeration.

You're probably right. I was using the term "born again" in what I thought was the popular context -- people who previously were not Christians but through a religious revelation became devout Christians. I wasn't thinking about it in the broader context that you described.

I think most of our disagreements (on this board and in society) would probably evaporate if we were all constantly referencing the same dictionary to make sure we were speaking to the same thing. My bad.

'93HonoluluCat · Post by **'93HonoluluCat** » Tue Jun 28, 2005 11:46 am

First of all, it's really interesting watching two moderators debate.

Now, on to the rest.

mquast5000 wrote:Are you trying to say that the BTK killer might have been a "good" Christian and/or a good person? At any rate the guidelines to being a good Christian is laid out in the Bible, and I would say that the BTK killer fell significantly short of qualifying for the title of "Good Christian."

Once a decision for Christ has been made, the "fruits of the spirit" (evangelical term for how we act) should be evident by the spiritual/emotional transformation that is made within us when we accept Christ.

The BTK, I would argue, may never have made a decision for Christ, and lived out a ruse for his life. I don't know for sure--that's between him and God.

catatac wrote:how do Christians deal with the idea that there are billions of people that are never exposed to the concept, therefore never have the option to "Accept Jesus" throughout their lifetimes? Are they damned to hell due to geography, or age of death?

And that is a good question, and one to which I don't know the answer. I will say, that Christians are called by God to preach His Word "to the ends of the earth." The eschatological books of the Bible (can't remember off hand if its Daniel or Revelations) say the Lord will not bring an end to the world until all have a chance to accept or deny Christ.

As far as those that died before they heard about Christ, I honestly have no idea. God, on the other hand, does know.

Post by **kmax** » Tue Jun 28, 2005 11:52 am

'93HonoluluCat wrote:First of all, it's really interesting watching two moderators debate.

Like I said, I am not one to debate or argue very often as I really just don't do that well(though I have learned alot from my 6 years of being married

), so you won't see it too often, at least from me. And now I will do what I said I was going to about 4 posts ago and return this debate to those that do it well.