Christian lied about faith to survive Saudi siege

Reuters ^ | 31 May 2004 14:43:21 GMT | Samia Nakhoul

[Freedom2specul8]

Obviously there are people who are deceived..and think they are Christians...

But real Christians, I believe will not lose their salvation. No where in the bible does it say that names are erased from the book of life. I often think of martyrdom as people dying in our place...some never had a choice as to whether they died or not. They simply died because they were a child of God.

I don't think that martyrdom makes any of us less of a Christian. We're either a child of God or we're not.

[PleaseNoMore]

Well said FITZ. Very well said. If I may answer your question to sinkspur from my own perspective, no, I do not feel that Jesus was honored at all.

[Tennessean4Bush]

This is the first thing I thought of when I read the headline. Very sad.

I do not agree with your application of this verse to this situation. From a very pragmatic point of view, he just confessed Christ before several billion people, because he now confesses he is indeed a Christian. Didn't the apostle Peter deny Christ, then spend the rest of his life confessing Christ?

[sweetliberty]

"This thread is really excellent and I'm glad it didn't get moved to chat etc..."

I'm actually kinda surprised that it hasn't been moved to the backroom. It has been a good thread, but there have been a few real nasty snipes on it.

[FITZ]

Thus the great falling away????

I think so. It's the same thing that had so many Germans allowing the Nazis to do what they did -- fear.

[GretchenM]

typo time: it's 299, not 290
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1145180/posts?page=299#299

[PleaseNoMore]

I understand your point as well. However, did he not deny Him "when it counted" so to speak? Just questions.

[PleaseNoMore]

And we know that Jesus has not given us the spirit of fear...

[Freedom2specul8]

I know you didn't address your question to me, but I can't resist replying.

Our Father in Heaven would be disappointed of course, but he also will defend us against our enemy in the end. (he is our guide as parents...all Christians sin to the end) The only sin that is unforgivable is the one of non-acceptance..or failure to accept Jesus, and become a child of God.

I have to think the man's status with God is more important than what he professes. Fear is an enemy...and not all believers' faith is strong. Maybe he was still a babe in Christ..and hadn't learned enough about martyrdom yet?

[sinkspur]

Deep down do you think Jesus was honored by this man quickly grabbing the Koran and claiming he was following allah and mohammed instead of the true God?

Jesus asked His Father to "take this cup away from me," on the eve of His Death.

I'm sure He understood.

[Freedom2specul8]

That's for sure..and the devil will torment Christians constantly.. *am thinking of the Job*

[Freedom2specul8]

Yeah, I skimmed some of the other pages...and saw some heated words. Maybe there haven't been complaints..and for that I'm grateful. This thread is witnessing to the lurkers. :)

[PleaseNoMore]

But nevertheless, thy will be done...

I am sure that He does understand having walked in similar shoes many years ago. It is sad that many of us have not come to the "nevertheless" part yet.

[Tennessean4Bush]

It is above my pay grade. Never tried to pretend it wasn't.

Baloney. It is precisely what you said in your earlier post: "This guy has just lost his eternal life. He'd better enjoy this one."

[clamper1797]

Did you every think of that, or where you too busy condemning people to hell?

Yeah ... that would be a sure sign of a loving merciful God ... condemning people to hell ... that's the kind of God the Islamafacists have ... and not one that I want

[FITZ]

Luckily this man still has more time to get it right with God.

I don't think I could do what this man did --- especially grabbing the Koran and passing it off as something I could believe in --- I might grab it and try to quickly find the parts where the "people of the Book" are discussed and try to use one of the Muslims' own lies to save my life --- that THEY are supposed to accept the people of the Book so that they shouldn't behead me.

[PleaseNoMore]

Furthermore, he knows that his time is short and will rage against us even more in these last days.

[JeepInMazar]

How will you act when put in that situation?

If you knew me you would understand that the question should be, how did you act when you were in that situation.

[JeepInMazar]

No doubt, there is always forgiveness available. The point is that followers of Christ are expected to give very careful consideration of what it means to actually follow Christ and to be ready to take a stand.

[sweetliberty]

"The only reason Christianity has been easy at times is because of the people who were willing to die for their faith. And because the patriotic early Americans were willing to die for our religious freedom."

Excellent point.