If there were no Heaven or Hell would you still be a Christian?
Sam was driving. B was watching a video. I was blog hopping on my iPhone during the last few hours of our 6 hour drive home. I came across Shaun Grove's post If There Were No Heaven and have been unable to stop pondering the question ever since. I asked my husband. I asked my mother-in-law. I struggled to answer it myself. Then, I asked several other bloggers if they would be willing to join me in answering the question (that is why this is a SPECIAL EDITION).
So over the next few weeks I will share the 10 responses (including myself) to the question:
If there were no Heaven or Hell would you still be a Christian?
The responses will begin with one of four choices and will be 350 words or less.
- I absolutely would still be a Christian....
- I think I would still be a Christian....
- I'm not so sure....
- I definitely would not still be a Christian....
- Myself
- My husband, Sam
- Sandy of The View From Here (or Here)
- Ashley of Ramblings and Photos
- Tim of Guitars and Theology
- Laura of Storybook Reality and Wild Locusts and Honey
- Katie of Katie Lloyd Photography
- Warren of Family Fountain
- Chrissy of Depirro Notes
- Josh of Re-Everything
Today I will be sharing my answer:
I'm not so sure....I think I would....I'm not so sure....I think I would. I had 75% of my answer written, then changed my mind. Then something happened Tuesday that solidified what I was unsure of. Tuesday someone broke my mother-in-law's window while her car was parked in our front yard. I was so frustrated, but that experience helped cease the teetering.
I think I WOULD be a Christian if there were no Heaven or Hell,
because I want good to prevail over evil.
If you are a theologian (or just someone who loves to think), then this question leaves a lot to assume.....However, I am not going to go into the what if's and but's and know how's.
I have made assumptions in my head which initially led me to the answer I'm not so sure, but then I was reminded that there will always be people who do evil just for the pure sake of evil. There will always be sin and I for one am the chief sinner when it comes to living selfishly. Therefore, I think I would still be a Christian, because somewhere deep within me and my selfish agenda is still a desire to be Holy, as Christ is Holy (and only God can place that desire within me). Without the example of Jesus Christ I would have no idea what that Holiness looked like in human form. Believing in God and the goodness of man would not be enough for me, because if we muster up all the "goodness" man has to offer we still have SIN.
So even if Jesus was not sent to save mankind from eternal separation from God, I do believe He could have been sent to save us from eternal separation from Him in the here and now. Hell on earth exists and I for one know that God wants a full life for us now, not just in the after life. And I would want to experience His fullness NOW even if it would end when I returned to dust.
How about you?
How would you answer the question?
If you would like to join, write your answer in a post and link up below any time during the next two weeks (possibly three weeks. I have yet to decide). The linky will be provided at the end of each SPECIAL EDITION post.
I hope you will continue to join me during the coming days as I share the answers from people ranging from stay-at-home moms, to pastors, to a grandmother.
You can read other Journey of Faith Friday posts HERE.
