Is God fair?: Difference between revisions
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==Straw man argument== | ==Straw man argument== | ||
The first problem with this argument is that it is a straw man argument. Here is a detailed discussion of [[Logic and the Message#Straw_Man|why a straw man argument must always be rejected out of hand]]. | The first problem with this argument is that it is a straw man argument. Here is a detailed discussion of [[Logic and the Message#Straw_Man|why a straw man argument must always be rejected out of hand]]. | ||
The meme presents a distorted view of Christianity that is not an adequate representation of what Jesus actually taught. | The meme presents a distorted view of Christianity that is not an adequate representation of what Jesus actually taught. | ||
William Branham taught a type of decisionism where an individual's salvation was based on a decision to follow Christ but this is a false understanding of Jesus' teaching. Arthur Pink, a theologian from William Branham's era stated the following: | |||
:''"The way of salvation is falsely defined. In most instances the modern 'evangelist' assures his congregation that all any sinner has to do in order to escape hell and make sure of heaven is to 'receive Christ as his personal Savior.' But such teaching is utterly misleading. No one can receive Christ as his Savior while he rejects Him as Lord!"<ref>Alex McFarland and Elmer L. Towns, 10 Questions Every Christian Must Answer (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2011).</ref> | |||
===What did Jesus teach?=== | ===What did Jesus teach?=== | ||
{{Bottom of Page}} | {{Bottom of Page}} | ||
[[Category: Unfinished articles]] | [[Category: Unfinished articles]] | ||
Latest revision as of 21:18, 2 December 2019
Some people who leave the message (or another Christian cult) move on to reject any concept of God. They are opposed to the very concept of Christianity as a result of their prior bad experiences and become atheists or agnostics. This is quite understandable given the deception, lies and spiritual abuse they experienced while in the message.
The purpose of this series of articles is to present a reasoned response to some of the questions relating to Christianity and God that former ex-message followers have presented to us. We certainly understand their pain and how this has led them to doubt the existence of God and the good news that Jesus Christ brought to the world.
Click on the link below to go to the specific topic. You are currently in the article that is in bold.
Questions raised:
- Science is the only way to gain knowledge of reality
- Is Christianity based on myth?
- Christianity represents a God who is unfair
- Did the resurrection take place?
- Is Christianity based on blind faith?
The argument
The meme at the top right of this page represents the fundamental principles outlined in Christianity which can lead to this scenario.
The non-Christian simply asks the question after one reads the meme: Is this fair?
And of course, as presented, it isn't fair.
The reasoning behind the meme: A person is saved when they repent and believes, which could happen with a rapist or murderer. But a person is condemned if he or she doesn't believe, as in the example of the rape victim who dies in an unbelieving state.
Is this argument valid?
The meme and the argument presented have a couple of significant problems.
Straw man argument
The first problem with this argument is that it is a straw man argument. Here is a detailed discussion of why a straw man argument must always be rejected out of hand.
The meme presents a distorted view of Christianity that is not an adequate representation of what Jesus actually taught.
William Branham taught a type of decisionism where an individual's salvation was based on a decision to follow Christ but this is a false understanding of Jesus' teaching. Arthur Pink, a theologian from William Branham's era stated the following:
- "The way of salvation is falsely defined. In most instances the modern 'evangelist' assures his congregation that all any sinner has to do in order to escape hell and make sure of heaven is to 'receive Christ as his personal Savior.' But such teaching is utterly misleading. No one can receive Christ as his Savior while he rejects Him as Lord!"[1]
What did Jesus teach?
Footnotes
- ↑ Alex McFarland and Elmer L. Towns, 10 Questions Every Christian Must Answer (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2011).