Re: Christianity, Paganism, and Hell
Hi Yoey! I think we're in the same spot in a way. I'm currently a Christian, but I'm not convinced that Christianity is the ONLY Way anymore. To address your question about Hell: My church had a guest speaker visit who is a Christian but also has a Rabbi and has learnt Hebrew. His name is Shane Willard. During one of his sermons, he questioned the idea of why Hell is so important for Christians to believe in. At the time, I closed my mind to it because it seemed so counter to core teachings. Later, my Jewish friend confirmed to me that in some Jewish sects, Hell does not exist. After this, I could stop ignoring Jesus's parables of being 'allowed out of Hell' after a certain amount of time. Eternal damnation doesn't seem to fit with those parables. So, now the questions are more about what that place might actually be. Since parables are not literal, maybe this place is not either. I'm going to email Shane and ask. So if you'd like, I'll share with you what he tells me (if he replies). Since reading through the forums here, I've come to understand how my own faith has been influenced by so many others. Christianity is not a catalyst.
At the moment, in my 'back-slidden' state (seeker state, which would imo actually indicate spritual growth), I'm leaning on the verse Romans 8:38,39. There is nothing that can separate me from the love of God anywhere, ever, at all. Because a sacrifice has already been made, He freely gives. I FREELY accept (ie I don't have to act a certain way or hold to certain beliefs).
My affirmation is that God IS love, and that s/he is in everything and through everything.
Many pagan paths are an honoring of or worship of nature. I like the way Weymouth New Testament translates col 1:17:
And He is before all things and in and through Him the universe is a harmonious whole.
Westwoden is onto something here, too. It's so very hard to leave behind Christianity because of the psychology in it. I wondered if I were the one who was decieved (the Bible predicts deceived people will walk away from the faith). In the end, I figure I can't follow God without asking questions. If God honours truth so much, He won't mind me being a seeker and He won't blame me for what I discover.
I encourage you in your quest. Even ask the Holy Spirit for guidance as you search until you find what you're looking for. Maybe you will give your deity a new name or maybe you won't.
Be blessed! I look forward to reading about your journey if you choose to disclose to us
Hi Yoey! I think we're in the same spot in a way. I'm currently a Christian, but I'm not convinced that Christianity is the ONLY Way anymore. To address your question about Hell: My church had a guest speaker visit who is a Christian but also has a Rabbi and has learnt Hebrew. His name is Shane Willard. During one of his sermons, he questioned the idea of why Hell is so important for Christians to believe in. At the time, I closed my mind to it because it seemed so counter to core teachings. Later, my Jewish friend confirmed to me that in some Jewish sects, Hell does not exist. After this, I could stop ignoring Jesus's parables of being 'allowed out of Hell' after a certain amount of time. Eternal damnation doesn't seem to fit with those parables. So, now the questions are more about what that place might actually be. Since parables are not literal, maybe this place is not either. I'm going to email Shane and ask. So if you'd like, I'll share with you what he tells me (if he replies). Since reading through the forums here, I've come to understand how my own faith has been influenced by so many others. Christianity is not a catalyst.
At the moment, in my 'back-slidden' state (seeker state, which would imo actually indicate spritual growth), I'm leaning on the verse Romans 8:38,39. There is nothing that can separate me from the love of God anywhere, ever, at all. Because a sacrifice has already been made, He freely gives. I FREELY accept (ie I don't have to act a certain way or hold to certain beliefs).
My affirmation is that God IS love, and that s/he is in everything and through everything.
Many pagan paths are an honoring of or worship of nature. I like the way Weymouth New Testament translates col 1:17:
And He is before all things and in and through Him the universe is a harmonious whole.
Westwoden is onto something here, too. It's so very hard to leave behind Christianity because of the psychology in it. I wondered if I were the one who was decieved (the Bible predicts deceived people will walk away from the faith). In the end, I figure I can't follow God without asking questions. If God honours truth so much, He won't mind me being a seeker and He won't blame me for what I discover.
I encourage you in your quest. Even ask the Holy Spirit for guidance as you search until you find what you're looking for. Maybe you will give your deity a new name or maybe you won't.
Be blessed! I look forward to reading about your journey if you choose to disclose to us
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