“I have read the Bible over and over and over. But if its interpretation is as clear as you are making it out to be, then why are there over 1,000 Christian churches!!!...all of which argue over the tenets of their faith?”
Oh contraire my friend. The inmans here are from every conceivable Christian background. We are unified on the central doctrines of our mutual Christian faith.
“Are Catholics going to hell? Are Presbyterians?”
Those going to heaven are going there by the GRACE of GOD and apart from works. They are those who receive that grace through faith in what Christ has done. It does not matter which church someone is in or not in. Same basis for all.
“Are Muslims? What if someone in Tibet is never even exposed to Christianity? Is he/she going to hell too?”
God can handle it. He knows exactly the most loving thing and the most Just thing to do. YOU however, hear the gospel of grace here and apparently prefer your own works of righteousness that can lead you to hell. What will you do?
“Religion can get so confusing and dogmatic. Even look at the posts here-—the tone of making fun of a religion. Even if it were false, I can’t see the Lord ever making fun of someone’s sincere belief.”
First, a small percentage of what Christ said was recorded, so you do not know that. Second, the Apostle Paul used satire.
“Surely if the people here REALLy cared about Mormons, they would realize that making fun of someone’s faith only pushes them further away.”
In my experience, it takes shaking a mormon up before they consider what is true with fresh eyes. Perhaps it is those who read these threads, who are not participating in the conversation who are why we post. Your assumption is incorrect, therefore.
“I don’t substitute what I want to believe; I substitute what is in my heart, when I can not understand what a scripture is telling me. I have learned more and more to listen to the still small voice and pray for inspiration.”
And the response you get that says Joseph Smith is a prophet is satanic in origin. Feelings are no substitute for objective truth. They may confirm it. They do not define it.
“There are huge gaps in my knowledge-—and a lot of things I am not sure of. But I am sure of this: God lives, Jesus is the Christ-—and my personal savior— and He is nowhere near as unforgiving as you think He is.”
1. You do not know what I believe
2. It doesn’t matter what you think - He is who He is apart from what you think
3. Christ’s FIRST act when He returns is to KILL HIS ENEMIES. How does that fit in with your feelings about forgiveness?
4. MOST IMPORTANTLY - If by Christ you mean the mormon Jesus, created spirit who became a god - it is irrelevant.
That will not get you to heaven. Faith is only as good as the object of faith it is placed in. The Biblical Christ is God, has always been God and is neither created nor made. Only He qualified to lay His life down.
In summary, there is nothing mormonism adds to Biblical Christianity. It takes the most important things away.
best,
ampu
YOU however, hear the gospel of grace here and apparently prefer your own works of righteousness that can lead you to hell. What will you do?
Sounds very judgmental to me since you know NOTHING about me. How can you say that I prefer my own works of righteousness? Do you folks not realize how similar you sound to Islmaic radicals? Sure you don’t stoop to violence, but some of you are just as condeming.
I would never stoop to judge you in that mannner. God clearly tells us that judgment is for HIM alone.
Ampu, why do you keep saying this?
“YOU however, hear the gospel of grace here and apparently prefer your own works of righteousness that can lead you to hell. What will you do?”
Is that not judging someone else? Are you not saying I will go to hell? I do NOT believe that my works will get me to heaven. How many times do I have to say that? To be truthful, there are issues about my religion with which I question. But that is not one of them. The LDS faith does NOT teach that works get you into heaven.