It's "Official": I'm a Heretic

As most of you reading this know, I often post my thoughts about a piece of scripture in my facebook profile. Typically, this elicits a few comments and hopefully makes my Christian friends and my non-Christian friends think about how they view themselves and God. Last week, I had some new "friends" (who shall remain nameless) who apparently know the mind of God so well that they appointed themselves as my judges, convened a jury of consisting of themselves, and "tested the spirit (me) and found him not to be of God." Not only did they accuse me of heresy in my private profile (where they were invited guests), they also made their accusations on another website, and have repeatedly dragged me through the dirt BY NAME.

"Christians" like them are the reason there are so many people who do not believe in God. I became an atheist when I was a teenager because of people just like them, so I'm 100% confident in making that statement. Hateful, judgmental people whose "gospel" consists of messages of hate and judgment give Jesus a bad name. Every day they rob people of hope, and steal God's love away from those who probably need it the most. Imagine how Jesus feels when the "gospel" that gets preached AT people is one of God's hatred of sinners, wrath for those who do not repent, and eternal torment and casting off of those who do not obey.

Fortunately, small-minded haters like them don't scare me any more.

Who's Taking YOU to Court?

There are literally HUNDREDS of little nuggets of scripture that are shining examples of God's wonderful, unlimited offer of reconciliation through His son and Messiah Jesus of Nazareth. The Bible has many courtroom references and metaphors. Obviously, when you speak of a coming judgment of mankind according to God's Law you would expect to find some scriptures about courts.

Take a look at Job 4:17, which says,"'Can a mortal be more righteous than God? Can a man be more pure than his Maker?" Ask those questions and apply them to our earthly sytems of justice and courtrooms. The harshest form of punishment man has applied to crimes is death. Are our courts more righteous than God's? Is the justice of our courts more pure than that of God's justice? Are our judgments more righteous than God's?

Of all the references to judgment and courts in the Bible, there are two similar verses that the traditionalists' (trying to avoid using the word Hellburner, but it's really hard) interpretation has said only apply to civil matters between "brothers". Most will say that these verses only apply to OUR courts, not GOD'S. Go pick up your Bible (or click the link) and read Matthew 5:25-26 and Luke 12:57-59. These scriptures are a reference to our coming judgment, and the need to seek reconciliation NOW, in this lifetime, so that we do not end up going to the prison of Gehenna (hell).

The Greek word translated as "adversary" in Matthew 5:25 is ἀντίδικος. The identical Greek word occurs in only one other place in scripture. In 1 Peter 5:8 ἀντίδικος is translated as "enemy" in the NIV to avoid contradicting the doctrine of eternal damnation, but it plainly states that the ἀντίδικος is "the devil". In Hebrew the word השָׂטָן (satan) has a literal meaning of "adversary" or "accuser". In the context of these scriptures, the satan is your accuser. He is the adversary you will face in God's court. In these scriptures there is no mention of a "life sentence" in Hell.

Jesus used stories and parables to relate truths about God. They were more than just simple stories with obvious meanings, otherwise the Apostles would have easily understood them every time Jesus told them. Many times there were deeper truths that you could peel away and apply to God's kingdom. Often these truths are hidden from men by their desire to follow the rules. When men are more intent on following the rules than following the ruler, they become like the Pharisees in Jesus's time. They become blind to the obvious, and sometimes try to bend the truth to make it fit their rules.

Ask yourself those questions from Job again-if they are untrue about God's judgment of us, then that makes US more righteous than God. Apply those questions to God's court, He is the magistrate. You are the accused. Your adversary, the devil, is taking you to God's court. Do you want to go to prison (Sheol, Hades Gehanna, Tartarus, or the Lake of Fire, whatever place you want to call "hell")? Or do you want the Chief Officer of God's court, Jesus, to take up your case before God and win you a pardon for your crimes? These scriptures are a warning. Be reconciled in this lifetime!

Notice that in both scriptures contain a second part. In them, Jesus says, "I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny." Is Jesus telling the truth, or will God sentence some people to be "tormented day and night for ever and ever" as punishment for their crimes? Why would Jesus say that those in "prison" can be released if they can't? Jesus has already paid the price for the crimes of the world and has the keys to the jail. Jesus didn't come to bring a "life sentence" to a "second death" for those that chose to ignore His warnings. He came to offer us a pardon for our crimes and cancel the debt we owe to God. He can do that in this lifetime, or for those who do not heed the warnings and repent along the way, while they are in prison. The offer is always there, but the value of accepting it in THIS lifetime allows us start living our "life sentence" now.

A Few Simple Reasons

Sorry for the lack of updates. Having a concussion is slowing down the writing a little. Thought I'd post what I think are a few of the effects of the modern denominational church dogma about "eternal damnation":

• Maligns God's character before the world.


• Contradicts His unending and unfailing love for all people.


• Makes our worship stem from fear instead of true affection.


• Denies His unlimited power to accomplish His will.


• Makes man's will greater than God's will.


• Infinitely minimizes Christ's triumph over sin and death.


• Denies Christ fully accomplished His mission on earth.


• Violates the divine witness revealed in every conscience.


• Negates the most glorious promises in the Bible.


• Ignores the testimony of the early Church.


• Robs us of peace and joy.


• Affects what we become; - like Father like son.


• Hinders world evangelism.