Paradise Cafe Discussions - A Place For Bible Research And Christian Encouragement

Of course, having heard that some here believe and or lean towards the Trinity doctrine, it wouldn't surprise me to hear that some believe in hellfire!

RR

I find it shocking that you, gogh, would quote from a Bible Student journal! :yahoo:

RR

Nope, here is the link to Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/product...55&s=books



RR

I take it you're asking me, right? No ... I don't believe in hellfire or torment. I believe that sheol and hades are mankinds grave.

RR

At least one does. trinity

Not me!

=(())= JEHOVAH GOD
SPIRIT TO SPIRIT
SET OUR SOULS FREE

HELLO DIGGING

YES THE ONLY HELL HE SAW…..
Was the Total disengagement From JEHOVAH GOD”S SPIRIT
And his Soul was in total loss and couldn’t find Him Again…..

We All Go to MANKINDS Grave…..
Save for our Saviour
Look To Judah
Our King
JESUS CHRIST

Amen in Song
Cc

RR, don't let it bother you that there are people here who don't dismiss the Trinity as you do. You know, anyone who is seriously seeking to know God will get their heads (and doctrines) sorted out eventually. There are plenty of times I want to launch into a great long theological debate with someone, then I hold back because I know that, if what God has told me is right, then the other person, if they are truly willing to let God change them, will come to see it, and if I'm wrong (a distinct possibility) then, because I know I only want God, and I know I will throw aside every belief that is not of him as He tells me to, then I know God'll change my understanding in that area.

Hellfire. Well, the Medieval version of screaming souls being prodded up the backside by Satan and all his little bedfellows is an interesting subject for Bruegel perhaps, but thats all. (firstly, the demons aren't supposed to be in charge are they? I thought it was a place of punishment for them!!!!!!:rofl:)

No, the idea of a wrathful God sentencing people to an eternity burning for stealing an apple is definately not the God I know, who loved the world so much that He sent His only Son to redeem it.

That said, I don't believe the Bible teaches that the word "death" means "annihilation" any more than "life" is only referring to biological life (well, "bios" is obviously, but "zoe" certainly isn't) You can be physically alive and yet be dead (let the dead bury the dead) I think it is possible you can be physically dead and still have life, since the life Jesus gives is not the biological sort. (English is so restrictive in its usage sometimes) The Israelites were given the choice between life and death and we are given that choice today and everyday. To accept life from Jesus, or death.

Now, since I think a better definition of the word "death" is "seperation" chiefly from God, I also think that we choose that seperation.

Whatever I think of the concept of "hell"(yes, I know about Sheol/Hades/Gehenna) I do believe that we are not annihiated (destroyed, rendered unfit for our original purpose, yes, but not cease to exist) and I do believe that, if there is a place for those who ultimately reject God, then it is a place they have chosen, a state of being they have chosen because they would rather live without God.

Again, I hold my theology loosely until God confirms and confirms biblically what I believe he's said, and I don't feel a great need to connect all the dots with my own answers.

Jesus warns us of something, some consequence, and that is not ever spoken of as being non-existence.

"Life" is not restricted to biological life and "death" is not restricted to biological death.

Jesus came to save us, was it from non-existence, or some sort of existence (certainly not life) in a state or place without God. (none of us could possibly imagine what a place could be like without God, because everywhere we look we see evidence of Him and His work. Can you imagine what the world would be like if all we had was human-built? No trees, no mountains, no love, no hope....

I don't accept the JW idea of Jesus' death giving us a ticket to paradise to have a second go at being alive, or the re-creation of our bodies rather than ressurection. No, I don't believe God sends anyone to a burning hell, but I do believe that, if we continually reject God, he will, eventually, give us what we think we really want - a place where mankind is really in sole command. However, God has pulled out every stop to reconcile us with Him, because it is only in Him that we can have life (zoe) rather than the pitiful life (bios) that comes to nothing without Him.

But that's only my opinion. I probably won't bother to argue about it because God knows that I'll give up those opinions the second he says to do so. But, as God has been speaking about the nature of eternity to me, what it means, and the nature of life and death and the very mind-boggling depth of these issues, I've just been blessing him more and more because, in this, I see His true majesty.

But RR, you're a sweetheart, :giverose: don't worry about others' beliefs, just keep preaching that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, and trust the Spirit to do His work, even if, sometimes it seems that others beliefs so so far from yours there can never be any common ground, just hold onto what God gives you to hold onto, and let go of what God tells you to let go. Even if you convinced everyone in the world to believe exactly as you do, it wouldn't mean they had all encountered God, and it would also mean they were all making the same theological mistakes that you are making (because we are all making theological mistakes we just don't know about them)

None of us are plumb-lines. Only God, and none of our interpretations of His word are plumb-lines either.