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Christian Salvation?
During my discussions with most Christians regarding my lack of belief, sooner or later I am usually presented with the fact that I am not saved and risk an eternity of damnation. Indeed, when I was a Christian, eternal salvation was something I did not take lightly. After all, what sane person would risk an eternity of damnation by turning away from God or questioning His precepts? Regardless, many well-meaning Christians tell me that I need to turn to the Bible for my answers, that, somehow, via the rule of faith, God will once again "inspire" me to find the true meaning in those sacred words. Ever the quick study, I decided to take those Christians up on their advice and once again found myself back in the Bible trying to figure out how one is "saved." Logic would dictate that obtaining this salvation would be fairly straightforward and laid out in one easy-to-understand book--especially if said creator of this book wanted to make sure His followers were indeed "saved." Of course, upon investigation I found that this is not the case. One Christian denomination tells us the "saved" were predestined. One tells us that baptism is required. Another says baptism is a ritual and that salvation comes through belief in Christ's sacrifice. Others say Christ's sacrifice alone is enough. Yet another stresses good works or the grace of God. In fact, depending on which denomination of Christianity one subscribes to, any combination of the following bible verses can be used to justify how one is saved: By Hearing the Gospel & Belief in God: John 5:24: "He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life." By Baptism: John 3:5: "Jesus answered, 'I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.'" By Grace & Faith, not Works: Ephesians 2:8,9: "For by grace are ye saved through faith ... not of works." By Faith & Works: James 2:17: "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." By Keeping the Law: Matthew 19:17: "... if thou wilt enter unto life, keep the commandments." By Belief in Christ: John 3:16: "... whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." By Belief and Baptism: Mark 16:16: "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." By Words: Matthew 12:37: "For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." By Calling on the Lord: Acts 2:21: "whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Not Works but by Grace & Baptism: Titus 3:5: "Not by works ... but according to his mercy ... by the washing of regeneration." (Note: some denominations will say the washing refers to Christ's blood and sacrifice.) According to Proverbs 16:4: God made the "wicked" for "the day of evil" (i.e. judgment & damnation). Of course, this makes no sense in light of passages that confirm or suggest that Jesus died for a small number of the elect; or that suggest all will be saved: John 1:29, 4:42, 1 Corinthians 15:29, Hebrews 2:9, 1 John 4:14. Salvation Available to the Chosen Few: Matthew 7:14, 22:14, Luke 12:32, 13:24, John 6:37,65,15:16,19, Romans 8:29, 9:11-23, Ephesians 1:4. Salvation Available to Those Who Desire it: Matthew 7:7-8, 11:28, John 3:16, 5:40, 7:37, Acts 2:21, Revelation 3:20. Now I'm sure some critics will say I'm taking those verses "out of context." Well, to those critics I ask that a "context" be clearly defined and followed among Christians before you criticize my observations. If these rules were clearly defined among Christians, one would not see various Christian denominations debating the ritual of baptism, women as preachers, interpretation of scripture, and the Trinitarian concept. Putting those critics aside for the moment, this leads us to the present day state of affairs among the various denominations of Christianity. Granted, I'm no theologian, but one would think a perfect God who knows "everything" would have foreseen what these contradictions would do to his followers' faith. One would think that a perfect God would have directed His followers to write one sacred book. One would think that this one book would detail just exactly how one is to be "saved" and that this plan would be uniformly followed--at least among Christians. More importantly, one would think that Christianity would agree on just exactly how one is "saved." Of course, once again confusion reigns!
According to the 2001 edition of the World Christian Encyclopedia, there are 33,800 Christian denominations around the world. Just trying to research 16 such denominations was extremely challenging. Not only did I find variation between denominations, but also many times I found conflicting information within the same denomination on how one is saved. If these various groups cannot even agree (and believe me, some argue among themselves!) on a few basic beliefs, how can they seriously expect any outsider to consider their claims as valid? Naturally, as I was looking at "how one is saved" I started to wonder what they were being saved from and where they went when they were saved. I found that "most" were being saved from some sort of hell that the Christian God created to punish the sinners and non-believers. In addition, "most" believers seemed to be convinced they were going to be rewarded at death with an eternity in some type of heaven. Past that, the only consistency I found seemed to be more confusion:
Quick recap: not only are Christians in disagreement regarding how one is saved, they can't seem to reach agreement on what one is saved from or where the faithful go after they are saved. Moreover, every denomination I researched has millions of followers, so no matter how you cut it, many people who think they are Christians are going to a yet-undefined hell. That is, unless the Christian version of God can get His followers on the same sheet of music! Regardless of these contradictions, time and time again I have been told that "faith" via the Holy Spirit has guided--and continues to guide--Christians in interpreting their sacred scriptures correctly. Well, history will show you that this "rule of faith" leaves something to be desired. For example, take the concept of the Trinity:
Another interesting fact that I came across relates to the Christian ritual of baptism. Up until roughly 354 A.D., the Church did not place a great emphasis on infant baptisms. That is, not until St. Augustine of Hippo (354 - 430 A.D.) decided otherwise. In his 3 book series titled "On the Merits and Forgiveness of Sins, and on the Baptism of Infants," Augustine explains why he thinks unbaptized infants are bound for hell: "If you wish to be a Christian, do not believe, nor say, nor teach, that infants who die before baptism can obtain the remission of original sin." Augustine believed (as do many denominations today) that children are sent straight to hell due to the notion of "Original Sin." Well, that's all good and fine, but it's too bad no one explained this to all those infants who allegedly got sent to hell! Regardless of these conundrums, one has to wonder why two of the keys to salvation were not clearly defined in the Bible in the first place? If the Trinitarian concept and the ritual of baptism were clearly defined in the Bible, there would not be denominations throughout history that keep disagreeing on them. Is it too much for a non-believer to ask why a God that could allegedly create "all this" could not inspire His prophets to write one book that is uniformly adhered to by His followers? In my opinion, suggesting anything less puts limits on a supposedly limitless God. Regardless, this tradition of confusion continues today. Most Protestants and Catholics believe that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son equally. In contrast, most forms of Eastern Orthodoxy believe the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father, through the Son. In addition, recently the Roman Catholic Church has ruled that it will not accept Mormon baptisms due to the Mormon's concept of the Trinity. In the Mormon view, the Trinity is three separate entities, whereas, in the Catholic view, God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all one and the same. Certainly both denominations can't be right, yet, they both gather under the banner of Christianity. Keeping with the theme of confusion, during my research I discovered that the Southern Baptists have recently reaffirmed that women will not be allowed to be pastors. Much like many other Christian denominations, the Baptists base this affirmation on the following Bible verses: 1 Corinthians 14:24, "Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law" and 1 Timothy 2:12, "But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence." Flying in the face of this Baptist decree is the ministry of Anne Graham Lotz. On June 3rd, 2001, the television program 60 Minutes ran a segment titled, "The preacher's daughter: from child to marriage to being a preacher, the life of Anne Graham Lotz as Billy Graham's daughter." In this segment Mrs. Lotz defends her ministry and bases it on the following Biblical passage: John 20:17-18, "But go to my brothers and say to them, `I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples...." It is Mrs. Lotz' contention that since Christ instructed Mary Magdalene to spread the "Good News," this gives women the divine authority to be ministers today. Now I'll be the first to say I respect Mrs. Lotz for challenging the blatant sexism that still pervades much of Christianity. Still, I find this story amusing because what we have here is another case of dueling Bible verses where each passage is being used to justify the individual party's respective stance. Not only that, but both verses come from the same "inspired" Bible and are being interpreted differently by members of the same denomination of Christianity! So this brings us full circle back to the "rule of faith." I don't think it's too unreasonable to doubt this so-called rule. Since its inception until present day, Christianity can't seem to agree. I can understand following along blindly without knowing about these denominational differences. Still, after a thorough examination of the evidence, it is literally beyond me how anyone can keep their faith. Though I may disagree with Christianity in general, I still respect the Christian's right to practice his or her religion. I only ask that Christians extend the same courtesy to me and realize I did not turn to atheism on a whim. In fact, I have spent a great deal of time researching my decision, and it is my hope that most Christians will not interpret my frustrations with Christianity's hellish doctrine (or Christianity in general) as a personal attack. Regardless, my position can be best summed up by the words of Robert Green Ingersoll: "Every sect is a certificate that God has not plainly revealed his will to man. To each reader the Bible conveys a different meaning." Concluding Note: I am anticipating critics who may say that "such-and-such denomination does not believe that." To those critics I ask that you check other sects within your denomination before you accuse me of falsehoods. Generally, I tried to chart what the majority of sects within a denomination believe, so it's quite possible your particular sect may have put their own spin on certain beliefs. For example, while researching the Baptists, I came across conflicting information regarding the definition of hell. Finally, I decided to call two Baptist Churches for verification. The first pastor I talked to affirmed that hell was indeed eternal torture and subsequently invited me to attend services; whereas, the second pastor cited the Reverend Billy Graham's accounting of hell which is akin to a separation from God. Also, I drew heavily on www.adherents.com regarding the number of members within a denomination. When that website failed to provide me clear information, I then consulted whatever reference book was handy at the time. It was not my intention to provide an accurate number regarding adherents. Rather, the numbers serve to illustrate the point that no matter which denomination one is discussing, membership is literally in the millions and is therefore what I would deem as "significant" regarding those who are saved and damned. Finally, references to scripture were taken from the King James Version of the Holy Bible. Endnotes: [1] Piepkorn, Arthur C. Profiles in Belief. (V. II) p. 401. San Francisco: Harper & Roe Inc., 1977.[2] Author Unknown. "About Us." The Southern Baptist Convention. Revised 2002. Available from http://www.sbc.net/aboutus/. [Accessed 17 August, 2002] [3] Barrett, David B. Sects, Cults & Alternative Religions. New York: Sterling Publishing, 1996. [4] Beasley, Norman. The Cross and the Crown: the History of Christian Science.. New York: Duell, Sloan, and Pearch, 1952. [5] Adeney, Walter F. The Greek and Eastern Churches. Clifton, NJ: Reference Book Publishers, 1965. [6] Piepkorn, Arthur C. Profiles in Belief. (V. III) pp. 204-216. San Francisco: Harper & Roe Inc., 1977. [7] Piepkorn, Arthur C. Profiles in Belief. (V. I) pp. 211-226. San Francisco: Harper & Roe Inc., 1977. [8] Richards, Le Grand A Marvelous Work and a Wonder. Salt Lake City: Desert Book Co., 1963. [9] "Jehovah's Witness" Encyclop'dia Britannica Online. http://search.eb.com/bol/topic?eu=44484&sctn=1 [Accessed 28 October 2001]. [10] Piepkorn, Arthur C. Profiles in Belief. (V. II) pp. 636-641. San Francisco: Harper & Roe Inc., 1977. [11] Neil, Stephan. Anglicansim. Baltimore: Penguin Books, 1958. [12] Wharton, Edward C. The Church of Christ: the Distinctive Nature of the New Testament Church. Nashville, TN: Gospel Advocate, 1997. [13] Damsteegt, P. Gerard.Foundations of the Seventh-Day Adventist Message and Mission. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1977. [14] Piepkorn, Arthur C. Profiles in Belief. (V.II) pp. 261-348. San Francisco: Harper & Roe Inc., 1977. [15] Author Unknown. "A Call For New Testament Christianity." Church of Christ Internet Ministries. Revised 2002. Available from http://church-of-christ.org/church-of-christ/JMB.html. [Accessed 17 August, 2002] [16] Author Unknown. "What Must I Do To Be Saved?" Disciples of Christ. Revised 2002. Available from http://www.tfccs.com/GV/QANDA/CSQ1.jhtml. [Accessed 16 August, 2002] [17] Author Unknown. "What Is Christian Science?" The First Church of Christ, Scientist. Revised 2002. Available from http://www.disciples.org/general/saved.htm. [Accessed 17 August, 2002] [18] Piepkorn, Arthur C. Profiles in Belief. (V. II) p. 114. San Francisco: Harper & Roe Inc., 1977. [19] Author Unknown. "Belief and Practice." The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Revised 2002. Available from http://www.lcms.org". [Accessed 16 August, 2002] [20] Piepkorn, Arthur C. Profiles in Belief. (V. I) pp. 31-84. San Francisco: Harper & Roe Inc., 1977. [21] Author Unknown. "Orthodox Doctrine & Church History." Orthodox Christian Information Center. Revised 2002. Available from http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/general/index.html. [Accessed 16 August, 2002] [22] Lang, J. Stephan. "'Jesus Only' Isn't Enough." Christianity Today. 4/1/02. Available from http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2002/004/22.60.html. [Accessed 17 August, 2002] [23] Herbermann, Charles. The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Encyclopedia Press, 1913. [24] Author Unknown. "Theology-Questions." The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Revised 2002. Available from http://www.mormon.org/question/faq/category/questions/0,8789,895-1-2,00.html. [Accessed 17 August, 2002] [25] Author Unknown. "Who Are They?" (Click on the "what they believe link") Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. Revised 2001. Available from http://www.watchtower.org/library/jt/index.htm. [Accessed 17 August, 2002] [26] Barbour, Hugh. The Quakers New York: Greenwood Press, 1988. [27] Author Unknown. "Meeting the Spirit: An Introduction to Quaker Beliefs and Practices." World Quaker Website. Revised 2002. Available from www.quaker.org/fwcc/EMES/booklet.html. [Accessed 17 August, 2002] [28] Piepkorn, Arthur C. Profiles in Belief. (V.II) pp. 135-254. San Francisco: Harper & Roe Inc., 1977. [29] Fulton, Charles. "What Does It Mean To Be Saved?" The Episcopal Church, USA. Revised 2002. Available from http://www.episcopalchurch.org/episcopal-life/For4'01.html. [Accessed 17 August, 2002] [30] Piepkorn, Arthur C. Profiles in Belief. (V.II) pp. 533-595. San Francisco: Harper & Roe Inc., 1977. [31] Author Unknown. "Our Beliefs." The United Methodist Church. Revised 2002. Available from http://www.umc.org/abouttheumc/beliefs. [Accessed 17 August, 2002] [32] Author Unknown. "About Adventists: Fundamental Beliefs." The Adventist Church Offical Website. Revised 2002. Available from http://www.adventist.org/beliefs/index.html. [Accessed 17 August, 2002] [33] Author Unknown. "Presbyterian 101: Presbyterian Distinctives." The Presbyterian Church, USA. Revised 2001. Available from http://www.pcusa.org/101/101-distinct.htm. [Accessed 17 August, 2002] [34] Gunnemann, Louis. The Shaping of the United Church of Christ: an Essay in the History of American Christianity. New York: United Church Press, 1977. [35] Author Unknown. "Testimonies, Not Tests In Faith." The United Church of Christ. Revised 2002. Available from http://www.ucc.org/faith/index.html. [Accessed 17 August, 2002] [36] Author Unknown. "Does It Really Matter What You Believe?" United Pentecostals (Oneness). Revised 2002. Available from http://www.reachtheworldforjesus.homestead.com/doesitmatterbelieve.html. [Accessed 18 August, 2002]
Published: 2/27/2002 Categories: Christianity, Current Features |
