Taking Hell Out of Church

The Grand Rapids Press ^ | 7/20/02 | Charles Honey

[xzins]

I didn't have my glasses on: The first time I read it I saw, "TaLking Hell Out of Church."

I thought, "long-winded, huh?"

[Dakota gal in Seattle]

This is my understanding.

Until you accept Jesus as your Savior, everything you latch on to will accomplish nothing.

As hard as you might not want to believe...without Christ..there will be Hell.

[RnMomof7]

Hey would you like on the Calvinist bump list?

[anniegetyourgun]

The apostacy is afoot.....and many are being drawn away....seeking teachers who will tell them what their itching ears long to hear.....

[RnMomof7]

You got it annie....every man doing what is right in his own eyes

[anniegetyourgun]

Sadly, Rn, for everyone of these types of apostates, there is one on the other extreme constantly trying to put people back under the law. Satan seems quite hip to the fact that are just as many deceived folk out there who want no liberty as there are those who want no hell. Just as many who think they are going to make it on their works or church membership as there are those who think they are going to make it because there is no wrath or justice.

[RnMomof7]

Sadly, Rn, for everyone of these types of apostates, there is one on the other extreme constantly trying to put people back under the law.

I have just met acopuple on the Neverending thread.....one in a non trinitarian church the other in a Messianic church....just digging into a graceless salvation ...

You are right Satan is working both ends

[nickcarraway]

Msgr. Sweeny's sermons never stray far from the central Christian message: the salvation of souls. He says Mass at varying times on Sundays but officiates at 7:30 p.m. every Wednesday, and those who have never been to Our Lady may want to go then. Perhaps they should go soon. Msgr. Sweeny is 77, and although he is in good health and looks 10 years younger, the bishop of San Jose, Patrick J. McGrath, appears determined to force him out. Numerous signed petitions and phone calls to Bishop McGrath's office have been unavailing.

Priests are asked to submit a letter of retirement at age 75, but the shortage of priests is such that they are regularly asked to stay on. What happened here?

It's hard to say, precisely... More recently, someone in the pews complained to the bishop about a sermon that mentioned, if you can believe it, sin and hell. Finally, a disabled woman, whose bid to teach religion at Our Lady was turned down, e-mailed the diocese, threatening to sue under the Americans With Disabilities Act.

Tradition 24 Hours a Day

[Wrigley]

So, do you agree with the comments of the Methodist pastors?

[xzins]

Lane is a product of our many liberal seminaries. I am a Christian and a bible believer AS ARE many of our people. In my opinion, Lane is wrong and IMHO an unbeliever.

I have a friend who is a lay pastor from a nearby church who was required to attend "classes" at one of our nearby liberal indoctrination dens. The prof who addressed them said exactly the same thing: "Jesus spoke to the spirits in prison after his death," she said, "so, don't sweat it. They'll get another chance."

We are waging a serious war with unbelievers within our denomination, and we need those who will pray for us as we combat the darkness that seems so determined to prevail.

But, "In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world!"

[yendu bwam]

In churches nationwide, hell is being frozen out as clergy find themselves increasingly hesitant to sermonize on Christianity's outpost for lost souls.

The vast majority of Protestant preachers and Catholic priests have become cowards when transmitting the tough parts of Christian faith. - People go to hell because they themselves have purposefully and unrepentantly distanced themselves from God. It is not God's fault - it is theirs. But the Bible and Jesus Christ mince no words in explaining what happens to people like that. The wheat will be separated from the chaff - the sheep from the goats - and it will be tough for the goats.

[yendu bwam]

The prof who addressed them said exactly the same thing: "Jesus spoke to the spirits in prison after his death," she said, "so, don't sweat it. They'll get another chance."

God gives us our whole life on this Earth to seek him and come close to him in heart, soul and mind. That's more than fair. God loves us and wants us to make the right choice - and he gives us plenty of time to do so. But he doesn't give us forever. People who teach otherwise actually promote evil actions and thoughts and prevent the attainment of salvation for many - for who will repent when there is no need to? Preventing others' salvation must truly itself be a great sin.

[Matchett-PI]

drsj: "Pastors who preach in crystal cathedrals don't throw stones!"

ll: "I'm not so sure. I bet if we asked our friend Matchett PI he would say that Scheuller was all about "breaking the glass ceiling"."

You got it! That Arminian is one of the quintessential poster boys for today's pop-culture, emotion-driven/experiential feminized religion.

If one happens to tune in to his show, one may be treated to the ludicrous sight of him standing on his elevated pedestal holding the book from which he frequently "preaches".

It's a book he wrote.

[Matchett-PI]

"Indeed, it is surprising how often Jesus refers to hell, said the Rev. Kent Fry, pastor of Third Reformed Church. The other surprise is Jesus usually directs his warnings to Christian believers -- a point Fry often makes to his Grand Rapids congregation."

More correctly: "... to professing disciples." They are the ones who stopped following him around after he told them: "None can come to me unless it were given to him of my Father ..."

But to those that are his elect (those given to him of his Father) --- chosen before the foundation of the world --- he says that no one nor no thing can separate them from him or take them out of his hand. Ever.