(April 4, 2009 at 5:25 am)athoughtfulman Wrote: Ha, fair enough. I think it's interesting when someone calls themselves a Christian, yet doesn't believe in something so basic to the belief as heaven.Someone who follows Christ. I know the heaven thing is contrary to popular belief, but my understanding is also quite widespread, and more accurate I'd counter.
At the same time, well done.
But may I ask a personal question - you call yourself a Christian, so how do you actually define a Christian?
(April 4, 2009 at 10:54 am)Tiberius Wrote: May I ask what the point of Christianity is if there is no afterlife then fr0d0? If Jesus didn't come down to forgive our sins so that we must believe in him to get to "Heaven" then what is the point of Jesus? If we're never going to meet our creator, then what is the whole point of living in such a way?Jesus said "I come to give you life in all it's fullness". How is "life in all it's fullness" something that isn't to do with life at all, but death? You meet your creator every moment. It's right here, right now. The benefits of being 'morally correct' are immediate. You show kindness where someone hurts you/ love instead of hate/ be charitable/ care for people not as fortunate as yourself... etc etc etc.. your own life is immediately enriched/ made alive rather than fueling your own personal hell/ death as a result of negativity/ hate/ selfishness... etc etc.. This is the entire point, and why I believe what I do. If Christianity was just about a future reward I'd quit this moment.
This is where the religious and the faithful split. The religious are acting out with the view to some eternal punishment/ reward. They live under rules. Aiming to be like Christ is inspirational. Rule breaking. Rules can't contain Christ likeness. Christlikeness smashes religion like glass.
Blimey, that was a bit preachy.. sorry - got me goin then LOL. Hope you can see I'm just trying to explain this to you, and not prosteletize.. that isn't in my nature. I hate that.
