Lynne, I enjoyed your article. While I come from a little different slant (believing that ALL men are redeemed
As in Adam ALL died, even so in Christ shall ALL be made alive), not to mention New Age leanings, I have the same thoughts about those who beat the "you can lose your salvation at any turn" drum. It makes Jesus/God pretty darn weak. I'm reminded of the verse
My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father's hand." John 10:29 I take this to mean even
self.
Most, if not all, Christians would agree that the spirit is dead/asleep unless there is some kind of awakening. (In Christian terms, this is called salvation.) The realm of the flesh/Ego is "dead" to God because it perceives itself as separate from God, and "forgets" that there is a spirit inside that is a Divine spark. That is, who we
really are...that part of us that has been redeemed "from the foundations of the world". If this is so, then how in the
world can the flesh/Ego known enough to redeem itself? It's like saying "OK humanity. You will be handicapped in this life. You will be dead to your true nature and the fact that you have a spirit that is ALIVE, but, in this fallen/darkened state, you have to figure out how to reach God and redeem yourself. If you don't, you will be cast into a literal, fiery hell." (Which I don't believe in.)
It just makes no sense to me.
And the fear factor? Good grief. What kind of relationship is it to be scared to death of God? I have a friend who's a minister and he has 4 adopted kids from foster care. One girl was beat with a paddle
set on fire by her abusive step dad. She still bears the scars...physical and otherwise. Like my friend, her new Dad says "We would call her step dad a monster for doing that. Yet, we ascribe much, much worse to the heavenly Father."
And for those who say "Well, we all have a choice. We have free will." I'd say "How in the world can a darkened mind have a
choice?" There is no choice without awareness.
One thing I've noticed (especially from growing up in the Pentecostal movement and being a minister) is that those who believe in Arminian theology (losing your salvation at the drop of a hat) tend to be the most angry and spiteful brand of Christians. I think the reason is because, deep down, they are terrified and guilt ridden. This comes out as zealousness and (self) righteousness...with an angry edge. This zealousness is justified by Jesus' actions in the temple, which is ridiculous. It's like comparing apples and oranges. (And one example of how anyone can take
any scripture and make it mean
anything. That's why discerning the
spirit, as opposed to the letter, is paramount).
When I hear Christians talk about how those who have committed suicide are burning in hell, and how God is a judge who will fry people for eternity, I think "How screwed up is that?" That sounds to me like man making God in
his (depraved) image, as opposed to the other way around.
I think people who know better, do better. But if they're blind, then they truly know not what they do. (Which is what Jesus said on the cross.) How is there redemption in condemnation? Love in the form of judgment and hatred? Peace in the midst of fear and chaos? It makes no spiritual sense to me.
Just some thoughts... <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
