Why Christians Don't Understand Non-Christians

ArGee | 1/3/01 | ArGee

[ArGee]

I have always wanted to explain this, but it is a little long for a reply in a thread. When someone tells me how evil G-d is for sending non-Christians to hell, I view them as the person outside the locked door who refuses to go through the entrance, even though G-d has done everything possible to make the entrance easy to go through.

And, I admit I just don't understand that.

Shalom.

[ArGee]

Friends, If you see a problem in this little story, please let me know what it is so that I can correct it. If you think it is accurate and useful, please invite your non-Christian friends to the thread. I'd like to know what they think.

Shalom.

[rdb3]

Wonderful illustration, ArGee.

[Texas Eagle]

Wow !.....very persuasive updated version of one of Jesus's parables.......I can hardly wait to read all the vitriolic responses......

[vrwinger]

Your analogy is very good up until the rich man yells "Enough!" Our Lord never gives up on us, no matter how many times we turn away from Him. He always gives us the opportunity "to go through the correct door."

Perhaps a better ending would be to have the "group of people sitting outside the locked door" spend eternity smelling the delicious food at the banquet but NEVER getting to taste it.

[francisandbeans]

Nice story Argee.

Perhaps you can tell some of the Biblical Christians around here that the enterance may very well include LDSers and Catholics. As well as not affilliated with a Religion Christians.

[kezekiel]

It's a nice parable, drawing on Jesus's parable of the wedding feast and the invited/uninvited guests. The problem for non-believers is that the story presumes a direct encounter between all the potential guests and the rich patron. The guests have the opportunity to hear about the baquet, come down to the hall, and talk to the patron. Since the banquet is heaven and the rich man is the Father, for the story to be analagous for non-believers, God would have to reveal himself, reveal heaven, and dialog with humanity in a direct sense. Seeing as how He hasn't chosen to do it quite that way, we're left with imperfect parables to describe the perfect. Absent faith, the parables can be easily misunderstood and unappreciated ("He who has ears, let him hear..."). But nice job, anyway. :)

[Mikey]

Should be an interesting thread.

[L,TOWM]

You forgot to include all the people that hear the advertising for the banquet, and go around telling every one that will listen that it is all nonsense; no one rented the hall, no one is offering a banquet, and all the evidence for the reality of the event is a scam; a myth invented be the frightened hungry people of the city...

[sanchmo]

bumpitty.

Keep the belt of truth buckled around your waist,
and take up thy shield of faith - the flaming arrows will soon start flying your way.

[ArGee]

Your analogy is very good up until the rich man yells "Enough!" Our Lord never gives up on us, no matter how many times we turn away from Him. He always gives us the opportunity "to go through the correct door."

It is my belief that the door is closed permanently when we face G-d in judgement after death. If, at that time, we have not become His, then we may never become His.

However, I understand your belief and will not challenge it too strongly. Your ending is also a good one.

Shalom.

[ArGee]

Thank you.

Shalom.

[ArGee]

Thank you.

Shalom.

[humblegunner]

Bump for later.

[L,TOWM]

ooops---... invented by the...

[ArGee]

Perhaps you can tell some of the Biblical Christians around here that the enterance may very well include LDSers and Catholics.

When I am in a conversation with individuals, I prefer to discuss only the individual and myself. I am not interested in "all those other people."

The question is for you and me, are we accepting G-d's invitation to the banquet and following His way or insisting He do things our way?

Shalom.

[tom h]

Very good parable. But the non-participants in the meal can perhaps be divided into two groups: (1) Those who want to eat but will not use the designated door; and (2) those who know in their hearts that the banquet food is the best meal they can have but refuse to partake at all.

There is no shortage of people who refuse to believe the gospel because it is inconvenient to their lifestyle.

[Magician]

You are wrong when you say/imply that non-Christians don't understand Christians. We do. We just don't buy Christian theology. We're not locked out. We have our own more open and accessable paths to where we want to go in this life and in the next.

[Cagey]

Golf carts right at the Pearly Gates. Imagine that?