Core Message Of Christianity Isn't One Of Love

[Silver]

I agree that God does not change. My understanding/belief is that we were confused as to what God was really like during the times that the OT were written.

If there was a misinterpretation of what God was like during OT times, shouldn't Christians be attempting rewrite...oh, nevermind, you're fine with reinterpretation that suits your agenda.

[Whateverist]

quote='abaris' pid='1033263' dateline='1440716776']
But more and more theologians are explaining Hell more as a state of being than an actual, physical "place" with fire and little guys running around with pitch forks lol.

Now that is some good theology. Talk of hell as a place was allegorical. Just curious, if it turns out that heaven is also just a state of mind, something you can only experience while you have a mind and a brain to keep it in, would that still make belief worth it? I want to say it can, but obviously as soon as your theology becomes this good you are perilously close to losing faith in God. For that matter, perhaps the idea of God is also allegorical but likewise a useful model for the way our conscious minds relate to the older, largely unconscious mind which gives rise to us.

[Catholic_Lady]

I agree that God does not change. My understanding/belief is that we were confused as to what God was really like during the times that the OT were written.

If there was a misinterpretation of what God was like during OT times, shouldn't Christians be attempting rewrite...oh, nevermind, you're fine with reinterpretation that suits your agenda.

There is no need to rewrite, imho. We can just follow the teachings of Jesus. Christianity defines itself by the New Testament... the Gospels, the life/examples of Jesus, etc. We are not bound by OT laws. 

[Silver]

We are not bound by OT laws. 

Correct me if I am wrong, are Christians not fond of resorting to OT law in stating that homosexuality is wrong?

[abaris]

Christianity defines itself by the New Testament... the Gospels, the life/examples of Jesus, etc. We are not bound by OT laws. 

Often times it doesn't work that way. Especially when it comes to the more excentric protestant denominations. And I'm too tired to look up that particular Jesus quote yet again, but I'm sure you know what it's about when I tell you that he's supposed to have said, he didn't come to change the law but to fulfill it. And that won't change until heaven and earth perish.

[Catholic_Lady]

quote='abaris' pid='1033263' dateline='1440716776']
But more and more theologians are explaining Hell more as a state of being than an actual, physical "place" with fire and little guys running around with pitch forks lol.

Now that is some good theology.  Talk of hell as a place was allegorical.  Just curious, if it turns out that heaven is also just a state of mind, something you can only experience while you have a mind and a brain to keep it in, would that still make belief worth it?  I want to say it can, but obviously as soon as your theology becomes this good you are perilously close to losing faith in God.  For that matter, perhaps the idea of God is also allegorical but likewise a useful model for the way our conscious minds relate to the older, largely unconscious mind which gives rise to us.

What I meant is that it can be best described as a state of being, but really, it's just because it's a whole other dimension that we probably can't even understand. But yes, more closely described as a state of being, vs a physical place, and the same goes for Heaven. That's what I believe anyway. 
Yes, I think it's always "worth" it to believe in whatever ends up being the truth, whether there is any sort of "reward" or not. 

Hmm, that's a very interesting theory, Whateverist. Is it Buddhist? It's interesting, and reminds me of that post you put on my facebook showing different perceptions of the same truth. The belief in God as an actual supreme being is fundamental to Christianity though, so one would have to be of a different faith to believe that. Our perception of what Hell is like, on the other hand, leaves room for a lot of flexibility, except that it's definitely not good and it's Godless lol.

[Whateverist]

Yes, I think it's always "worth" it to believe in whatever ends up being the truth, whether there is any sort of "reward" or not. 

You know you may have what it takes to be a whateverist. Don't worry, whateverism is compatible with most every other faith based system so long as its dogma doesn't prevent you from embracing the whatever.

[Catholic_Lady]

Christianity defines itself by the New Testament... the Gospels, the life/examples of Jesus, etc. We are not bound by OT laws. 

Often times it doesn't work that way. Especially when it comes to the more excentric protestant denominations. And I'm too tired to look up that particular Jesus quote yet again, but I'm sure you know what it's about when I tell you that he's supposed to have said, he didn't come to change the law but to fulfill it. And that won't change until heaven and earth perish.

Yes, the law, as in the real law of God. Not what people thought was the law. I think that's what He meant by that. He contradicted OT laws on multiple occasions. Namely when he said we shouldn't stone adulterers and when he said we should turn the other cheek rather than do an eye for an eye. There's a reason the Pharisees couldn't stand Him.

[Catholic_Lady]

Yes, I think it's always "worth" it to believe in whatever ends up being the truth, whether there is any sort of "reward" or not. 

You know you may have what it takes to be a whateverist.  Don't worry, whateverism is compatible with most every other faith based system so long as its dogma doesn't prevent you from embracing the whatever.

Lol, that's great news! 

[Longhorn]

The belief is that if you turn away from love/goodness (aka God), there is no where left to go except the only place where those things are not present. God is not present in Hell, and since we believe God is love/goodness, those things are not present in Hell and that's why Hell is so awful. Of course, if you are truly sorry, meaning if you don't reject those things, of course you will be forgiven.

But even that's relatively new. When I was a child, back in the 60ies and early 70ies, the talk of the town was still the literal fire and brimstone hell. At least that's what the priests tried to make us believe. So doctrines go with the time. The first time I heard your definition is probably the mid to late 70ies. About the same time, by the way, they started to introduce jazz masses.

They don't everywhere. You can still hear the vanilla fire and brimstone around certain parts.