Giving us the fast food version upon the death of someone puts an ugly face on Christianity. You do come off as condemning someone, regardless of your protestations. It's cruel, especially to the loved ones left behind.
The truth of salvation is plain, and can be expressed in a straightforward manner using a few select verses (such as the "Roman Road" - Romans 3:10-23, 6:23, 5:8, 10:9-10).
Naturally, reading and studying the entire Bible will yield tremendous benefits and greatly increase one's understanding of God and man. Still, it does not change the basic message of the Scriptures, which is summed up for us in John 3:16. There are many people who claim that the Bible is too mysterious to be understood, or who, like yourself, want to make it out to be something so lofty that only dry scholars can understand it, and the common man is left in the dark. But the Bible speaks to all of us, whether we be rich or poor, famous or obscure, wise or simple.
What I object to (and in the light of Scripture, I am compelled to object to this) is the attitude held by so many that entrance into heaven is some sort of automatic birthright that naturally occurs after we die, especially if one has been "good". As if heaven was the default destination for everyone, except maybe the most evil among us, such as Hitler or Mao or Stalin. That is a deadly mindset that has sent many people to hell.
BTW, I've really enjoyed reading your posts on this thread. Good work!
#338..very well said.
Not at all. My claim is that you aren't the last word on the matter. In the Gospel Jesus says he will be the judge. He also seems tolerant of skeptics who did not witness his miracles, nor hear his teachings first hand.
If Christopher Reeve had your upbringing and life experiences, he would probably be a believer. Only Jesus knows what his life was like and what God's plan was for him. Jesus will be the judge, not you and your pamphlet version of Christianity.
I have read many of your posts on this thread and am very impressed by your knowledge and correct interpretation of Scripture. You really know your stuff. What I quoted above though, is a truth that many people can't, and won't accept, and need to hear the truth about.
There is no "easy" way to Heaven that is guaranteed because someone was a "good person" and even did "good" during their lifetime. There is a Scripture (paraphrasing here) which speaks of our good works as "filthy rags." The good works mean nothing without accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.