James
2007-10-30 02:23:30 UTC
Re: Heaven full of atheists ?
Assuming that heaven exists in the first place. By the way, theists for
centuries believed in the Aristotlian view of a geocentric universe (that
is, a universe where the Earth is at the center). In that view, the very
center of the Earth was the center of the universe. Interestingly, many of
these same theists viewed hell as being located deep within the Earth,
possibly the very center of the Earth. So, why would a religion take as a
tenent of its faith that the center of the universe is hell?
George
George,Heaven full of atheists ?
It would amazing if there is a single atheist is heaven.centuries believed in the Aristotlian view of a geocentric universe (that
is, a universe where the Earth is at the center). In that view, the very
center of the Earth was the center of the universe. Interestingly, many of
these same theists viewed hell as being located deep within the Earth,
possibly the very center of the Earth. So, why would a religion take as a
tenent of its faith that the center of the universe is hell?
George
What people believe, may or may not, represent accurate Bible truth.
The only real way to tell is to check their teachings against the
Bible itself. Actually, the Bible wants us to do things that way.
Notice the example set by the ancient Bereans. The apostle Paul went
preaching to them there. But they just didn't take his word for it
just because he said it. Ac 17:11,
"Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians,
for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the
Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true." (NIV)
Concerning your reference to "hell" above, the Bible does not teach of
the popular 'hellfire' place. Even common sense should tell a person
that any person claiming to be a LOVING person, does not burn people
for punishment. (1 Jo 4:8)
The word translated as "hell" in the Bible, first comes from the
Hebrew word "sheol". And the Bible "sheol" is the common grave of dead
mankind, not some place of fire that burns living people.
For a brief example, the righteous man Job wanted to go to
"hell" (sheol) to get RELIEF from his pain, not add to it. Job 14:13,
"Who will grant me this, that thou mayst protect me in hell [sheol],
and hide me till thy wrath pass, and appoint me a time when thou wilt
remember me?" (Douay) (brackets mine)
That is why other translations substitute the word "grave" instead of
the word "hell" here. For example the popular KJV:
"O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, [sheol; hell] that thou
wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest
appoint me a set time, and remember me!" (KJV) (brackets mine)
There is a lot more that could be said on this subject of 'hellfire'
such as the symbolic "lake of fire". (yes it is clearly symbolic.
Notice what is tossed into it at Re 20:14). So just ask if you are
interested.
Sincerely, James
**If you wish to have a discussion with me, please use email since I
do not follow ng threads
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