FINAL: If There Were No Heaven.....Josh's Response

If there were no Heaven or Hell would you still be a Christian?

If you are just joining me, today I am sharing the 10th and final response to the above question.  Josh of Re-Everything will be closing out the series.  

Here were the parameters given to those whom I asked to respond:

Answer the question:

If there were no Heaven or Hell would you still be a Christian in 350 words or less.  Your answer should begin with one of the four choices below.

1. I absolutely would still be a Christian....
2. I think I would still be a Christian....
3. I'm not so sure....
4. I definitely would not still be a Christian.... 

Here are the 9 previous answers:

• Myself
• my husband, Sam
• Ashley of Ramblings and Photos
• Sandy of The View From Here
• Tim of Guitars and Theology
• Chrissy of DePirro Notes
• Warren of Family Fountain
• Katie of Katie Lloyd Photography
• Laura of Storybook Reality and Wild Locust and Honey

Photos taken by Amber Cullum and Ashley Sisk (top right) and Katie Lloyd (bottom left).

Josh wrote:

When my dad heard this question, his answer was as immediate as my own, except he answered in opposition to me.  He answered “Yes” saying that he would still follow the teachings of Christ even if he died and found out there was no heaven or hell.  He said he believes the life of Christ is the best possible way to live in this world.

In contrast to that, my first reaction to the question was “No.”  The primary reason I answered “no” right away is because of how much Jesus spoke about the kingdom of heaven throughout the gospel of Matthew.  It’s the first thing we hear him preaching to the crowds.  “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”  My understanding is that Jesus came to proclaim that the kingdom of heaven (or kingdom of God in Mark and Luke) is how God desires the world to be, where God is King and everything gives Him glory and operates according to His love. 

This kingdom stands against the powers of darkness and in Jesus’ death and resurrection has brought about a decisive victory over sin and death, making it possible for all men to believe in Christ, accepting Him as Lord and be a part of His kingdom both in the present life, where we partially realize the fullness of heaven, and in the life to come, where we fully realize the fullness!

Here’s another way I see it: if there is no heaven, death has the final word on this life.  If death has the final word, then Jesus’ resurrection had no power.  If Jesus’ resurrection has no power, his death was pointless—merely an example to follow.  If his death was only exemplary, then his teachings fit in the pantheon with other great teachers.  But no! Jesus’ resurrection shows that He is more than an example, but our King!  And I follow Him not just because He’s a great teacher, but because He has made a way for us to follow His teachings by defeating that which stands against it, sin and death.

If There Were No Heaven......Laura's Response

Big Announcement First:

I am posting for the SITS girls today......WOOHOO!!

Click over and read my post: HOW TO BLOG ABOUT YOUR FAITH

If there were no Heaven or Hell would you still be a Christian?

If you are just joining me, this is the 9th of 10 responses I will be sharing in response to the above question.    Today, Laura of A Storybook Reality will be answering the question. Laura's current blog is about to go private, but you can still find her at Wild Honey and Locusts where she blogs about faith and food.

Here were the parameters given to those whom I asked to respond:

Answer the question:

If there were no Heaven or Hell would you still be a Christian in 350 words or less.  Your answer should begin with one of the four choices below.

1. I absolutely would still be a Christian....
2. I think I would still be a Christian....
3. I'm not so sure....
4. I definitely would not still be a Christian.... 

Here are the answers shared thus far:

• Myself
• my husband, Sam
• Ashley of Ramblings and Photos
• Sandy of The View From Here
• Tim of Guitars and Theology
• Chrissy of DePirro Notes
• Warren of Family Fountain
• Katie of Katie Lloyd Photography

Tomorrow this series will come to a close with a final word from:

• Josh of Re-Everything

Laura wrote:

If there were no heaven or hell I ABSOLUTELY would still by a Christian.  Why?

I wasn't sure of this answer until I actually started typing.  First I asked my husband what he thought about this. He is the kind of person who can't look past all the if-thens.  If there were no heaven there would be no God.  If there were no God there wouldn't be logic.  Therefore this conversation is illogical because without God you can have none of the above.  Geesh! 

Then I started thinking that maybe a better question for me would be, "If there wasn't a heaven or hell would you still be a good person." But I know theologically that good doesn't equal Christian.  

I want to think that I would still make good choices.  When I look at the good choices and bad choices I've made in life I regret the bad ones.  Why?  Because they have consequences.  And that is something that is true for anyone regardless of their faith or creed.  Men make bad choices, children do, Christians, Jews, Atheists and even occasionally Kentucky basketball fans make bad choices.  And we all live with the consequences.

Here's the thing.  Life works better when you choose what is right.   The problem is everyone has their own definition of right. When you are constantly choosing your own definition of right you end up hurting other people.  Life would literally be CHAOS if we all just did what we wanted all of the time!  

As Christians we know that  following Christ is God's plan for us.  He gives us a right and wrong and that is the personification of Himself in Christ Jesus.  We have that example of TRUTH to follow.  I can't do life on my own.  I can't just "do what I want" because I am a sinner.  I NEED Christ to walk with me on my journey.  I have no desire to see what a mess I would make on my own!!  Because I have seen this example and how my life is literally transformed because of it I have no other choice than to say absolutely.

If There Were No Heaven.......Katie's Response

If there were no Heaven or Hell would you still be a Christian?

If you are just joining me, this is the 8th of 10 responses I will be sharing in response to the above question.    Today, Katie of Katie Lloyd Photography will be answering the question.

Here were the parameters given to those whom I asked to respond:

Answer the question:

If there were no Heaven or Hell would you still be a Christian in 350 words or less.  Your answer should begin with one of the four choices below.

1. I absolutely would still be a Christian....
2. I think I would still be a Christian....
3. I'm not so sure....
4. I definitely would not still be a Christian.... 

Here are the answers shared thus far:

• Myself
• my husband, Sam
• Ashley of Ramblings and Photos
• Sandy of The View From Here
• Tim of Guitars and Theology
• Chrissy of DePirro Notes
• Warren of Family Fountain

Here are the remaining 10 you can expect to hear from:

• Laura of Storybook Reality and Wild Locusts and Honey
• Josh of Re-Everything

Katie wrote:

If there were no Heaven or Hell I think I would still be a Christian. I wish I could say without a shadow of a doubt I would still be one, but I am a sinner and sometimes that sin gets the upper hand. I've been tempted and given into that temptation more times than I care to admit. Without a heaven or hell to hold me eternally accountable for my actions, I think it would be easier to fold under pressure; to give in to those sinful whispers and nudges. And Satan is a charmer. He will whisper sweet nothings into your ear until he's coerced you into that sin. But in the end you're only left with guilt and shame. 

However, I also know what life is like with Christ at the helm and as my King. And it is AMAZING! He has taken my burdens and brought such peace to my soul. Jesus is also a charmer, but His sweet whispers are true and He will never leave me high and dry to fend for myself. He will never back me into a corner and tell me I'm not good enough. He died for me! He wrote His name on my sins and paid the price! And Heaven or not, I am a better person and my family is stronger when we put our trust in Christ.

"When I don't measure up to much in this life, I'm a treasure in the arms of Christ!" 


{Forgiven by Sanctus Real.}

If There Were No Heaven....Warren's Response

If there were no Heaven or Hell would you still be a Christian?

If you are just joining me, this is the 7th of 10 answers I will be sharing in response to the above question.    Today,  Warren of Family Fountain will be answering the question.

Here were the parameters given to those whom I asked to respond:

Answer the question:

If there were no Heaven or Hell would you still be a Christian in 350 words or less.  Your answer should begin with one of the four choices below.

1. I absolutely would still be a Christian....
2. I think I would still be a Christian....
3. I'm not so sure....
4. I definitely would not still be a Christian.... 

Here are the answers shared thus far:

• Myself
• my husband, Sam
• Ashley of Ramblings and Photos
• Sandy of The View From Here
• Tim of Guitars and Theology
• Chrissy of DePirro Notes

Here are the remaining 10 you can expect to hear from:

• Laura of Storybook Reality and Wild Locusts and Honey
• Katie of Katie Lloyd Photography
• Josh of Re-Everything

Warren wrote:

Amber, this is an intriguing question. I can see why some would decide to not be a Christian. If there was no punishment for being evil, or reward living a good life, why try? Why deprive ourselves of tawdry pleasures if there is no punishment for engaging, and no reward for declining?

I think I would still be a Christian. I would like to think my response would be, "Absolutely!" But, honestly, is it that inviting to follow Jesus to a cross if there is no resurrection to follow?

For many, the fear of hell and hope of heaven is what propels early faith in Christ. But, as we mature, we learn that following Jesus isn’t just about pursuing heaven to escape hell. Following Jesus means embracing his life and ethics and inculcating them into our own lives. It means bringing a bit of heaven to earth.

To follow Jesus is to serve others, even when they respond with ridicule and persecution. That is hard for me to do with the promise of heaven; could I do it without that reward?

Since the ancient Greeks philosophers have sought to establish a system of ethics and rules for men to live by so we can be safe and secure in our environment. While some of the ethical systems (Social Contract Theory) have appealed to baser motives, like selfishness, other theories, like Virtue Ethics, pushed men to live right simply for the sake of rightness. But all of them lack something: the person of Jesus.

Even if the threat of hell and the promise of heaven were taken from me, I would still be inclined to be a Christian, because that is where Christ is. I want to say with Paul, "For me to live is Christ."

Pragmatically, Christianity makes our relationships richer and lives better. Honesty, purity, sincerity, faithfulness, genuine companionship, forgiveness, service to neighbors and contentment all find their "yes" in Jesus. So, I’m pretty sure I would still be a Christian.

If There Were No Heaven.........Chrissy's Response

If there were no Heaven or Hell would you still be a Christian?

If you are just joining me, this is the 6th of 10 answers I will be sharing in response to the above question.    Today,  Chrissy of Depirro Notes will be answering the question.

Here were the parameters given to those whom I asked to respond:

Answer the question:

If there were no Heaven or Hell would you still be a Christian in 350 words or less.  Your answer should begin with one of the four choices below.

1. I absolutely would still be a Christian....
2. I think I would still be a Christian....
3. I'm not so sure....
4. I definitely would not still be a Christian.... 

Here are the answers shared thus far:

• Myself
• my husband, Sam
• Ashley of Ramblings and Photos
• Sandy of The View From Here
• Tim of Guitars and Theology

Here are the remaining 10 you can expect to hear from:

• Laura of Storybook Reality and Wild Locusts and Honey
• Katie of Katie Lloyd Photography
• Warren of Family Fountain
• Josh of Re-Everything

Chrissy wrote:

I think I would still be a Christian if there were no heaven or hell.  This really is a loaded question, especially when considering the theology behind it.  It's true, I suppose, Christianity would be completely different.

I like to think I would still be a Christian because when I truly search my heart, when I think back on the day I accepted Christ as my Savior, it was not heaven or eternal life that I was attracted to necessarily.  It was grace.  Beautiful grace.  Here and now grace.  God's unconditional love for me is what brought me to my knees.  His daily pursuit of me.  And I pray that His love is still what brings me to my knees each day.  It was not hell that I was afraid of.  It was feeling unworthy of any one's love, feeling filthy, feeling unwanted.  I need God's love like I need the air I breathe.  And once I knew this love, I needed His active hand in my life, I needed to show this same love to others, not because a treasure would be stored up for me in heaven, but because God's love had changed my life and I wanted others to know His love.

The question doesn't suggest that God's love for us would change if there were no heaven or hell.  It doesn't suggest that God wouldn't still have sent His son to die for us, just maybe to give us a better life on earth, not eternally.  Therefore, I like to think I would still be a Christian because God's love for me is what I long for as a Christian.  Yes, I long for the day when I will see His face too.  However, in pondering this question, if eternity were off the table, I would still desire God's love, God's active hand in my life, God's provision in a world that offers more evil than good.  Without knowing this love, I wouldn't know how to share it with others, living a more full life here on earth.

If There Were No Heaven......Tim's Response

If there were no Heaven or Hell would you still be a Christian?

If you are just joining me, this is the 5th of 10 answers I will be sharing in response to the above question.    Today,  Tim of Guitars and Theology will be answering the question.

Here were the parameters given to those whom I asked to respond:

Answer the question:

If there were no Heaven or Hell would you still be a Christian in 350 words or less.  Your answer should begin with one of the four choices below.

1. I absolutely would still be a Christian....
2. I think I would still be a Christian....
3. I'm not so sure....
4. I definitely would not still be a Christian.... 

Here are the answers shared thus far:

• Myself
• my husband, Sam
• Ashley of Ramblings and Photos
• Sandy of The View From Here

Here are the remaining 10 you can expect to hear from:

• 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

To say that the senior pastor among us struggled to answer the question is an understatement.  However, like many with a deep theological mind his struggle is validated.  Tim broke the parameters, but I let it slide (after some prodding from my husband).

Here are Tim's 350 words, but scroll down for his video response.

Things that are pulled out of shape without “heaven and hell”:

1. Jesus’ teachings and parables are pulled out of shape.
2. Jesus as messiah changes meaning dramatically.
3. The kingdom of God means something very different.
4. The narrative sweep of the Bible is entirely different.
5. God’s Good Creation groans in vain.
6. Sanctification will not be completed.
7. No beatific vision.  We won’t be like Him because we won’t see Him as He is.
8. The dead in Christ are lost. 
9. Suffering for righteousness is inadvisable.
10. God’s dream of a people with whom He can abide won’t materialize.
11. The curse is never lifted.
12. No Justice for victims of grievous wrong.  Martyrs blood cries and is never answered.
13. No Just Judge.  How just is God?
14. Those who die young are just unfortunate, I guess.
15. Sin will never be eradicated.
16. A glass darkly…and that’s all.  Faith will never be sight.
17. The Hope of the glory of God is taken away.
18. Perseverance based on said hope is also gone.  De-motivating big time.
19. God will not wipe away every tear.  You lose that comfort.  Baby Olive (my neice) and Annie Brown (brain tumor at age 5) are just dead and that’s the end of that for the bereaved orphaned families.
20. Rewards for righteousness are limited to this life.
21. Accountability for everybody is pretty much gone.  The truth of hearts and motives and character never comes out.
22. The image of God seems to mean something less dignified and important.
23. The nature of the Gospel has changed.  I guess we’re the Gospel. Sarcastic tired “yay.”
24. The character of God would seem to change.

On the other hand…these people seem to do well without a fully formed concept of God’s big historical future plan…

1. Abraham responded in trust and obedience to the limited light God gave.
2. David didn’t have much of a view of the afterlife but treasured God’s presence.
3. Tim Miller:  Sought spiritual connection and a meaningful surrendered life amid moral angst.

Therefore, if there were no Heaven or Hell..........I don't know if I would be a Christian.

If There Were No Heaven.....Ashley's Answer

If there were no Heaven or Hell would you still be a Christian?

If you are just joining me, this is the 3rd of 10 answers I will be sharing in response to the above question.    Today, Ashley of Ramblings and Photos will be answering the question.

Here were the parameters given to those whom I asked to respond.

Answer the question:

If there were no Heaven or Hell would you still be a Christian in 350 words or less.  Your answer should begin with one of the four choices below.

1. I absolutely would still be a Christian....
2. I think I would still be a Christian....
3. I'm not so sure....
4. I definitely would not still be a Christian.... 

Here are the answers shared thus far:

• Myself
• my husband, Sam

Here are the remaining 10 you can expect to hear from:

• Sandy of The View From Here (or Here)
• 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

Ashley wrote:

I absolutely would be a Christian. The other night, I asked my husband the same question over dinner. I already knew my response, but I wanted a little bit of confirmation. You see, my husband and I are fascinated with shows like “Through the Wormhole,” especially when the episode explores whether or not an afterlife exists. By faith alone, we know that at the end of this life, we will spend eternity in heaven, but our curiosity is always waiting to see if scientists will reach the same conclusion. If only you could see the looks on our faces when we get to the end of an episode, and Morgan Freeman proclaims something to the effect of “there are some things that even science cannot explain.”  It’s almost as if we’re waiting for these uber smart scientists to finally admit that yes, God exists…and yes, heaven and hell are the real deal…but that never seems to happen, so we’ll settle for “unexplained.”

But let’s say, for the sake of argument, that heaven and hell really did not exist…does Jesus exist then? Without Christ, I suppose I could not be a Christian (assuming that part of our history was somehow erased)…but I do believe that I would still be the person I am today…a person that is still marked in love and living according to the Word. I believe that as Christ followers, there are unique characteristics that identify each of us (and I’ve been writing about these on my blog the past couple of weeks): we live what we learn; we serve where we're gifted; we give from our resources; we connect with others; and we share our story. Christian or not, I am forever changed and I cannot imagine living my life any other way.

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. 

If There Were No Heaven......Sam's Answer

If there were no Heaven or Hell would you still be a Christian?

If you are just joining me, this is the 2nd of 10 answers I will be sharing in response to the above question.  Today, my husband Sam will be answering the question.

Here were the parameters giving to those whom I asked to respond:

Answer the question:

If there were no Heaven or Hell would you still be a Christian in 350 words or less.  Your answer should begin with one of the four choices below.

1. I absolutely would still be a Christian....
2. I think I would still be a Christian....
3. I'm not so sure....
4. I definitely would not still be a Christian.... 

You can read my answer HERE.

Here are the remaining 10 you can expect to hear from:

• 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

Source

As I first considered the question posed to me (link to question), it caused my mind to come up with many more questions:

“If there’s no heaven and hell, is there sin?”

“Did Jesus still come to Earth?”

“If He did come, what did He say?”

“Are we still eternal?”

“If we’re eternal, what happens when we die?”

“Do we die?”

“What do I do with all of the stories/doctrine/questions/answers in the Bible regarding eternity?”

“How could I choose to be a ‘Christian’ if there really is no such thing (allegedly)?”

The framework of presuppositions I set up to enable an answer to the question goes as follows (Note: these presuppositions do not fully reflect my view of God, simply the best I can do with the constraints of the discussion):

1. There is no heaven and hell.
2. Without heaven and hell, humans are only temporal beings: meaning when we die, that’s it. (An ominous thought to say the least)
3. With God’s creation being sinful and temporal, Jesus does not come to Earth. As such, the scriptures are very different, if they exist at all. If we are only temporal, did God have a chosen nation? It’s difficult to redeem the world through people if there is no redemption to be had.
4. While the world would be a much different place, God is still the creator and of the same disposition as I believe He Is now and was in the past, and will be in the future.

That said, I believe I would still be a Christian. I say this because I believe that God’s way of life is the best way of living, with or without eternity. I also believe that we are most fully living when we live according to our purpose. Our source of peace and joy is not ourselves, but outside of ourselves. I have found more contentment in living with that hope and aim than I have in hopes for myself. That’s one thing that I don’t think would change with the exclusion of the afterlife.

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. 

Journey of Faith Friday (SPECIAL EDITION): If there were no Heaven or Hell would you.....

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.

1. I absolutely would still be a Christian....
2. I think I would still be a Christian....
3. I'm not so sure....
4. I definitely would not still be a Christian.... 

Here is who you can expect to hear from:

• 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.