What God May Really Be Like – Misbeliefs About God

Are Only Christians Loved By God And Go To Heaven?

Jesus said to the disciples, when present with them, that He was the only way to God (John 14:6). Some interpret this to suggest God only loves and accepts into Heaven those who know Jesus. Specific knowledge of Christ or saying the right words is suspect as being necessary. It may have been the same John who penned later: “whoever loves has been born of God and knows God” (I John 4:7). Some love evil; some love good. Some are headed toward God while others away from God. The Apostle Paul speaks out against those who suggest God shows favoritism as God “accepts those from every nation who…do what is right” (Acts 10:35).

When asked how to have eternal life Jesus said simply to love God and love others as yourself (Lk.10:25-27). Jesus didn’t advise one get on their knees, say a certain prayer, confess their sins, and never sin again. Jesus implied that the hope of life forever begins in the present when one looks toward God, whatever knowledge they may have, and battle against unselfishness. Jesus’ only agenda was to convince people to listen to their heart.

Jesus didn’t reject the millions of people who died without any knowledge of Jesus or Scriptures to teach them about God. Some parents badly misrepresent Jesus, so will God only accept those who had more rational parents. Will the thief who was only sorry when hanging on a Cross with Jesus go to paradise while others, who lived conscientiously, be out of luck? God doesn’t just love those who have heard or speak God’s name.

There often is very little moral difference between those who say they are believers and those who aren’t overly God-focused. I will say that my spending time with God has helped me be a better husband, father, and friend. That was what Jesus was offering. I am not sure why some pursue God more passionately than others. Some may pursue God more when in a crisis because they don’t know where else to turn. If deep down you wish you had more of a connection with your Creator, certain beliefs about God may keep you from pursuing a deeper connection.

Some may rightly resist God because of certain characterizations of God they have heard other teach. Is God a sadistic torturer? HELL NO! Hell is not a translation but a substitution for certain Hebrew and Greek words, created over the centuries to scare people into obedience. Jesus’ focus was to simply let others know God loves us unconditionally and desires a relationship for the good of all. Loving parents always seek the admiration and respect of their children so they might consider their guidance.

There may be other beliefs that hold you back from pursing God more passionately. God doesn’t have any expectations before wanting a relationship with us. Unconditional lovers just don’t. God desperately desires to help us with struggles that exist in our world. Freedom has led to much suffering in this world but there was no other way for authentic relationships. Not even God can force true love. I am convinced God is always tugging on peoples’ hearts. Go with it and see where God takes you.

A Muslim or Christian may not think they worship the same God, but they strive to love others how they wish to be loved. God encourages all to listen to their heart about what is right and wrong for life here on earth. You didn’t even have to believe in Jesus full-hearted if you lived in His presence. The disciples weren’t convinced until Jesus came back from the dead. That might convince you as well. Some Christians don’t believe in the virgin birth. Some Muslims do. Some people speak freely of Jesus. Others don’t. Some Buddhists have more the heart of Jesus than those who call themselves Christians. The Israelites got it wrong when claiming to be the only nation or religion under God.

All religions have some truth, though true contradictions among religious must be weighed.  Jesus did claim to be the Son of God and Reconciler with God. Would Jesus have been more compassionate by denying He was the Son of God? Would God have been more open-minded by saying we could worship many Gods, if God knew such gods didn’t exist? Jesus claimed to be sinless. All leaders such as Gandhi, who admits having evil desires in his autobiography, do not make such a claim. Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection fulfilled Old Testament prophecies. Jesus’ miracles were against the laws of nature. There is sufficient, historical evidence that Jesus’ tomb was empty. No other religious leader claims to have resurrected.

There are a thousand ways to pursue what one knows is right in their heart. God surely accepts one according to the direction they are headed. We all have faith, believing either there is or isn’t a Creator. Since I am convinced there is a Creator, I believe we all already have a relationship with God. God loves everyone as parents love their children regardless of whether their child pays them attention or not. God’s only agenda is to convince all that God loves and desires a mutual relationship for the pleasure of both.

Afterthought: 

There can always be very real reasons that people are turned off spiritually by how God is characterized by others. I care more about getting inquirers to reconsider than offending followers. Followers may accuse my above views as a form of legalism. Legalism is a set up for discouragement and was hated by Jesus. No one can live up to even their own standards. If God simply cares only that we are headed from evil and toward good, it is human nature to worry whether one is good enough. One may wish there was a certain prayer you can say and get to Heaven, but one would still worry about measuring-up. God cares deeply that we understand that S/he loves us unconditionally. Fear or religious adherence to a set of rules doesn’t transform lives in the long-run. Gloomy uncertainty as to one’s favor doesn’t conquer our battle against self-centeredness in both human and spiritual relationships. God’s love and mercy is our necessary nourishment.

Should We Be In Awe Of God?

We may hear a healthy relationship with our Creator begins with a sense of awe. A human analogy suggested is feeling awestruck when meeting initially someone who we have respected all our life. But, we aren’t necessarily thinking our hero desires a relationship as our Creator does. When I know someone loves me, I am more inclined to run into their arms. There is no need for fear when each loves one another. Does God expect us to be in awe now or when meeting? Do such thoughts help build a relationship with our God that S/he so desires?

I think of God as my Heavenly as opposed to earthly Parent. I have always desired to have a close relationship with my parents as I aged. I may deeply respect my parents for their character but this should not cause hesitancy in the relationship. I may be ashamed of all the times I have hurt them and others, but overwhelmness is not conducive for a relationship. Besides, an unconditional lover such as God is dying to forgive those who seek it. My concern is telling others they must be in awe of God may not be at all what God feels is best for a relationship that S/he desires with all.

Many may look at what the Bible says when trying to discern what God expects. We don’t have to look at the Bible to know what our Creator thinks about murder but this topic may be one of those times. In the beginning in the Garden it seems God enjoyed regular visits with Eve and Adam. If these visits were not physical appearances I am not sure what they were hiding from (Gen. 3:8). God didn’t refuse to talk after being rejected. God didn’t begin to desire a standoffish reputation because Abraham, the initial father of God’s people, was referred to as God’s friend.

One might suggest though by the time of Moses and the Ten Commandments, God was beginning to build an aura around Himself by refusing to show Himself (See Exodus 19 and 20). Rebellious times may call for different actions. Evil people, who need to be told to stop killing, lying, and cheating on one another, should have a healthy fear of God and the unknown. In less rebellious times all the leaders of Israel were allowed to see God (Ex. 24:9-11). God did not shy away from calling us friends such as with Moses (Ex. 33:11). God, like human parents, desire to have a close, influential relationship with their children because they have their best interest in mind.

I am often asked to pray before groups of friends though I am not a minister. I hope people sense I have a friendship with God. My prayers don’t begin: “Dear God, the Holy One, the Feared Creator of the Universe…” Such talk doesn’t invite other to get to know their Creator. My prayers are as if I am talking to a close Friend. One might need to be in awe of God if plotting evil, but what Parent who wants a relationship desires you to fear them or hesitant to come in their presence. Now, when you get to know God as I do you may begin to have feelings of awe after appreciating just how amazing God is.

Afterthought:

I use human parent analogies when discussing God as our Parent, as we are made in God’s likeness. Obviously, humans aren’t perfect as I believe our Creator is. Analogies break down because I can always find something wrong with humans, even my heroes. I believe God is deserving of awe but that is because of my relationship with God. Others may only be getting to know God or be open to the possibility of a Creator. Awe may not be natural because of certain beliefs about God suggested by others. My prayers may begin with awe. But, we should not expect others to be in awe of God if they are not yet convinced or deeply in love with God. The Psalms suggested we can keep it real with God.

Can The Bible Be Divinely Inspired If Teaches…?

I have written that the Bible can stand the test of its claim to be divinely inspired. The writers sometimes claimed to be quoting the actual words of God (i.e. Ten Commandments). Either they are telling the truth or liars. The writers claimed at times their guidance was inspired by God. The phrase “Thus says the Lord” was used thousands of time by the prophets in the Old Testament. The New Testament writers claimed as fact, despite available eyewitnesses, that Jesus resurrected from the dead. The New Testament has no credibility if proved a story was made up by first centuries Christians and perpetuated over the next two thousand years and the empty tomb is not a historical fact beyond reasonable doubt.

Some though may rightly doubt the Bible is inspired because of certain interrupted characterizations of God in the Bible. Many insinuations made about God in the Bible perhaps deserve a second look. We are made in God’s likeness so we are not totally clueless of what God is really like. When two debatable interpretations in Scriptures exist, we must err on the side that portrays God as the most relational and rational to the human mind. Our biblical interpretations must be plausible based on what a loving God should be like.

There are many misbeliefs about God in my opinion that I heard growing up. If certain beliefs about the Bible are not true, we may look at the Bible and God in a different light. God is not a hellish, sadistic torturer! Jesus never threatened anyone with Hell as if that inspires a relationship. The Greek word Gehenna in the NT wrongly translated as Hell was a proper noun and the name of a valley nearby Jerusalem with a history. Hell is no more a translation of Gehenna than Atlanta is for Chicago. Hell was an invention to scare people into submission.

God does not favor men over women in leadership roles. The Apostle Paul encouraged husbands to be loving servants with their wives. Best friends, in marriage or other dyad relationships, don’t require a leader. One main passage is referenced to argue women cannot be ministers. Paul was only saying that there may be circumstances when women shouldn’t lead a group as there are times when men shouldn’t lead. God is about peace. Many religions describe certain gender roles that just can’t be right about an impartial God. Ministry is not about women’s rights or equality but a privilege and opportunity to use one’s God-given gifts to serve others.

God did sometimes approve the killing of men, women, and children in times of war. Many are familiar with passages in the OT where God actually advised the Israelites to destroy the enemies’ land and those who inhabited it. Evil is real. In OT times men and women would appease the appetites of their supposed gods by sacrificing their children to their gods. Some leaders today participate in or allow the raping of women and slavery of children by doing nothing. If my neighbor has his daughter barricaded in his home and is regularly abusing her, the police must do all they can to stop such injustice even if killing is required.

The Bible records that evil had become so rampant that God practically destroyed the entire human race, including innocent women and children, during Noah’s time and started over. Evil may have progressed to the level of sacrificing children to supposed gods. God would not have rejected anybody from entering the Ark if they wanted anything to do with Noah’s God. It takes courage to leave one’s family, so I don’t judge because I am not sure what I would do. Corruption can infiltrate a society so much that a fresh start may be the most merciful thing to do. There may be a better place after death more merciful than abandonment, starvation, disease, or being torn apart by wild animals (Ex 23:28-29). The Flood was not doing evil that good may come; it is ridding of the cancer that can eventually destroy any good for future generations.

Speaking of gods that demand the sacrifice of their children, did God’s anger have to be appeased by the death of His Son so He could love us? Jesus died not to change God’s attitude but our attitude toward God. Jesus was willing to walk in our shoes to gain credibility and influence so we might consider His ways. Loving others as you want to be leads to true happiness in the long-run. God only desires a contrite heart for everyone’s good. Cultures in OT times worshipped idols and developed their own sacrificial ways to worship or please their different gods. God used the sacrificial system to show the differences between “God and gods.”  OT sacrifices for sins revealed the cost of selfishness toward others and helped people to anticipate and understand a Messiah was coming.

Finally, Jesus said some pretty outlandish or close-minded stuff while claiming to be impartial. Jesus said He was the only way to God (John 14:6). This doesn’t bode well for the millions over the centuries that have never even heard the name of Jesus. Some parents badly misrepresent Jesus, so will their children not be in “the club” with those that had more rational parents. Will the thief who was only sorry when hanging on a Cross with Jesus go to paradise while those who don’t claim the “Christian” God, but lived conscientiously, be out of luck? The Bible also says “whoever loves has been born of God and knows God” (I John 4:7). No one obviously loves perfectly or God and Jesus are going to be pretty lonely together. Jesus surely doesn’t just love those who have heard or speak His name.

There are other beliefs taught they can make one doubt the Bible is inspired. Do we really think God doesn’t intervene more in times of undeserved suffering because God doesn’t care or believes we deserve to suffer because none of us are perfect? Maybe there is a rational explanation to how God’s goodness and evil can coexist. Does God really say pray and you get whatever you want, even if your partner likes drinking and could care less how their actions hurt others? Does God really condemn monogamous, homosexual relationships or instead violent sexual activities against one’s will?  Who doesn’t know that sexual behaviors, forced or not, that are mindless, selfish engagements are wrong!

What is Church in The Bible And Why I Stopped Going?

Many think of the Bible when defining what “church” is, so I am going to explore what the Bible says church is. I will cite more bible passages than usual which may make for more difficult reading. I also will conclude with a brief discussion of my journey with attending church in case others have similar feelings. I was going to church often out of guilt which does not lead to true intimacy in spiritual or human relationships.

Jesus used the word church twice in the Gospels. It turns out Jesus and Paul when referring to the church had in mind believers or followers of Jesus as opposed to a physical building. No one said I am going to church in biblical times. Matthew 16:18 says “… and on this rock I will build my church…” Jesus wasn’t going to cram all followers over the last two thousand years in a building on a rock. Jesus’ other reference to the church was when advising how to reconcile with fellow believers engaged in harmful behaviors (Mt. 18:17). Jesus never denied the reality of lovingly confronting others. If one refuses to listen in a 1:1 situation, Jesus says: “tell it to the church.”  Jesus was not suggesting we speak to buildings but to fellow believers wherever they may meet.

When the early “church” was forming after Christ left this earth, the Bible is not referring to buildings but actual followers of Jesus. “But Saul (Paul) began to destroy the church (singular). Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison” (Acts 8:3). Paul was not destroying buildings or houses where followers assembled; Paul was imprisoning people (the church) who believed Jesus was the Messiah and rose from the grave. In Acts 11:22 news reached the “ears of the church.” Church buildings can’t hear. Romans 16:5 is similar to Paul’s other letters: “Greet also the church that meets at their house.” Paul was not saying to greet a building that is somehow contained within someone’s home.

Clearly, “church” was referring to people who believed and assembled together at that time in homes. During times of persecution followers were encouraged to not give up gathering (singular) so they could encourage one another (Heb. 10:25). This passage isn’t encouraging weekly meetings at some building but to meet whenever to encourage one another. Today that could be at a building on Sunday morning, a homeless shelter, or on the tennis courts. Times together may include music and preaching or not at all. “The church” doesn’t go to church.

Christianity is better off without denominations. In New Testament times one did not refer to themselves as a Baptist, Methodist, etc. In fact, Jesus the Christ never referred to His followers as Christians. Paul warned against the harm of divisions among followers: “I follow Paul; another, I follow Apollos; another, I follow Cephas; still another I follow Christ” (I Cor. 1:12). Denominations often refer to their Creed than the Bible for guidance which is divisive. If we got rid of Denominations people might seek more Who we follow than what we believe in. The presence of Denominations suggests followers do not believe the same thing or even get alone. Why would those possibly interested in hearing what we believe want to join us?

Why I Stop Going To Church

In the Bible often the church (followers/believers) met at one another’s homes. I was expected to go a building, often with a steeple, on Sundays when growing up.  Some years my parents took me to a meeting both Sunday morning and night and Wednesday evening. I went to a Sunday meeting on my own in college. I never developed deep relationships with those at these meetings. We took our children to a meeting on Sundays when they were young. We encouraged them to attend smaller meetings within the building with people their own age, but they mostly chose to continue to go to the room where adult sang and listen to preaching. We let our children when older decide whether to go to the meetings on Sunday. At the time I felt going to a meeting on Sundays helped us grow in our relationship with God.

I ended up going to Seminary out of college for one year so of course I continue going to meetings on Sundays. As I got older I begin to question some things I was taught at these meetings about what the Bible said. For instance, I was always taught a husband was to be a loving leader rather than a loving servant toward his wife. I came to realize best friends don’t need a leader whether married or not. I had seen that “give us men an inch and we will take a mile.” There were other views over the years suggesting what God was really like, such as God being a hellish torturer, which I begin to believe differently than what I was taught.

I begin to experience in meetings, when sharing what I believed, being more divisive than encouraging to fellow followers. I didn’t feel a freedom or openness to believe as God lead but to believe what those in authority taught. I wasn’t forced to believe but why attend if not being encouraged to develop your own beliefs. I was better off if I didn’t do “church” and try something different in my relationship with God. I am not sure if I went to church out of guilt all those years, but not going to church didn’t feel like a choice. The institution of church worked for me for years and continues to work for many, but people need to feel free than obligated to pursue God on their own terms. Obligatory relationships are seldom life transforming.

I gained a sense of freedom from obligation when I realized “church” in the Bible was not a building but referred to all individual believers. The Bible suggested followers meet to encourage one another. This can be done anywhere anytime. When followers meet together they may sing, teach one another, eat, play tennis or whatever is going on in being with one another. Some may want to continue receiving teaching about their faith and attend traditional church for those and other reasons. No one though needs a mediator between God and them such as a pastor or priest.

Church never was a place that I built genuine relationships. I could sit for an hour and not say one word to anyone other than my family. I certainly didn’t share my burdens openly in that meeting. Even attending smaller groups during the week, organized by church leaders for the purpose of building relationships, felt forced. I am not putting down such meetings. I just feel free and wish for other to know they can build a closer relationship with their Creator in ways best for them. Dream! I may again someday attend a building on a certain day of the week with like-minded followers. But, I do not feel obligated or believe God thinks any less of me for not doing so. I am better off seeking encouraging, genuine relationships, so I look for such relationships everywhere. They don’t have to be organized and there doesn’t have to be structured leadership. You may feel like I do that I have graduated from “church.”

Is The Bible We Have Possibly Inspired By God?

We can know God without the Bible, as our faith relies in a Creator than some book, but the Bible can make our relationship even richer if it is God’s inspired guidance. When certain literature claims to be divinely inspired, it should be given the benefit of the doubt until proven otherwise. Some may rightly doubt the Bible is inspired because of how certain interpretations characterize God. But, God is not a sadistic torturer! Hell is not a translation but a substitution for certain Hebrew and Greek words, created over the centuries to scare people into obedience.

Before we can believe the Bible’s claim to be the thoughts of our Creator, we have to consider: if the words we have are what the writers close to the action actually wrote; are the Scriptures we have the Books intended by God; and how credible are the writers’ claims to be inspired by God. Are their claims any different than someone today declaring they are speaking for God?

• If the New Testament was considered a collection of secular writings, their authenticity would not be questioned. We don’t question the reliable of Julius Caesar’s exploits in the Gallic Wars though derived from ten manuscript copies, the earliest of which date to within 1000 years of the time the Gallic Wars was written. Nearly 25,000 manuscripts of the NT exist in libraries and universities today. The earliest of these is a fragment of John’s Gospel, which has been dated to within 50 years of the date when the apostle John penned the original. Within 100 years we have books, within 150 years most of the NT, within 225 years the complete NT.
• We don’t have the original NT manuscripts written by the authors themselves, but we know what the original manuscripts said through textual criticism for over 99 percent of the words of the Bible. We know what the variants are (different words in different ancient copies of the same verse) but none change any doctrines on the Scriptures. Thus, our present manuscripts are practically the same as the original manuscripts.
• Proof for Old Testament literature is no less impressive. Before 1947, the oldest complete Hebrew manuscript dated to AD 900. But with the discovery of 223 manuscripts in caves on the west side of the Dead Sea, we now have OT manuscripts that are a thousand years older dated around 125 BC. They have proved to be identical, word for word, in more than 95% of the text. Minor variations do not alter the clear meaning of the text into question.
• How do we know we have the Books intended by God to convey His guidance? The OT books that were considered to be God’s words to His people were set in place between about 1200 – 400 B.C.  It is fair to say that Jesus believed in the collections of the OT books as we have them today (Lk. 24:44). Jesus quoted from 24 of the books. The five books not quoted were considered a part of the collections Jesus’ referenced in Luke. Paul felt the Old Testament, which was Scriptures for Paul, was inspired by God (2 Tim. 3:16).
• For the NT Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are the only four gospels that can be shown to be first-century documents.  Being closer to the action makes them more reliable. Paul wrote most of the rest of the NT books. No one at that time disputed that Paul had been appointed by God to carry out Jesus’ message (Acts 26:16-18). Paul was accepted as speaking with the wisdom given to him by God (2 Peter 3:15). There was no official canonization of NT books thought to be under God’s guidance, but most over the next few centuries accepted the collections of books we know as the NT.
• How credible is the writers’ claim to be inspired by God? It does seem the 66 different books written in three different languages by many different authors, has an incredible unity and consistency as though orchestrated by a Higher Power. The OT books show an incredible unity pointing toward the fulfillment of a promise by God, beginning with a promise made to Eve about her seed destroying the evil one and accumulating in Malachi where God will be sending His messenger (3:1). Many reading this have little doubt that Jesus the Messiah was the fulfillment of this promise.
• The Bible claims that God’s actually words were spoken such as God’s command to Adam (Gen 2:16-17) or the Ten Commandments given to Moses (Ex 20:1-3). At Jesus’ baptism God actually spoke from heaven (Matt 3:17) and these words were recorded. We must either accept where Scripture records “God said” that the writers are actually recording the words of God spoken to them in some fashion, or the writers are lying and saying God spoke to them when He didn’t. If you believe them, there is no reason to not trust their other writings.
• “Thus says the Lord” appears thousands of time in the OT, thus distinguishing thoughts and words from God from their own.  God said He would actually give the prophets His words in their mouth (Jer. 1:9; Deut. 18:18-20). Death was a consequence for one claiming to be speaking for the Lord but who had not received a message from God (Deut. 18:20-22). OT Scriptures do not indicate dictation from God the very words written by the prophets; instead, the prophets clearly indicate they knew when the Spirit of God was teaching them. Most don’t claim that today. Nathan advising King David on his own was clearly differentiated when God spoke to Nathan and told him to advise David otherwise (2 Sam. 7:1-17).
• In the world of the OT, the phrase “Thus says the Lord” would have been recognized as identical in form to the phrase, “Thus says king…” which was used to preface the edict of a king that could not be questioned but simply had to be obeyed. Thus, when the prophets say “Thus says the Lord,” they are claiming to be messengers from the sovereign King of Israel, namely, God himself, and they are claiming that their words are the absolutely authoritative words of God. When a prophet spoke in God’s name in this way, every word he spoke had to come from God, or he would be a false prophet (Num. 22:38; Deut. 18:18-20; Jer. 1:9; 14:14; 23:16-22; 29-31-32; Ezek. 2:7; 13:1-16) [Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology 74]
• One main reason the Bible can be view as reliable is because the writers record as fact, when eyewitnesses were available, that Jesus resurrected from the dead. The Bible’s credibility can be totally destroyed if proved Jesus coming back from the dead after three days was a myth. The Apostle Paul says: “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile…” (I Cor. 15:17). Many faiths rely on a promise for the future; Christianity relies on a promise that has already happened in the past. Is the empty tomb a provable historical fact beyond reasonable doubt as opposed to a story made up by first centuries Christians and perpetuated over the next two thousand years? NT writers ended up being a martyr for what they believed in. Some will die for a future promise. Few if any will die for what they know to be a lie. The apostle knew Jesus was the Son of God because Jesus indeed resurrected from the dead.

Many believe in God because we know it to be true in our hearts. Though we cannot touch our Creator, we know God to be present and involved in our lives. But, make no mistake about it. Should there be a need to defend the evidence for our beliefs to others, we stand on solid ground. The resurrection is a historical, reliable fact beyond reasonable doubt. Jesus actually was born, lived, died, and came back from the grave. Jesus wasn’t just a great teacher or prophet as claimed by some. He proved to be the Son of God. Also, God continues to speak to us through His word given to others in a form we refer to as Scriptures. The Scriptures are reliable historical documents. Should you begin reading the Bible on a regular basis, I believe you will be a changed person for the better. Some may feel the Bible says some outlandish things that are not plausible of a loving God. I have written on some of these possible misbeliefs at my website.

Did Jesus And Should We Have An Agenda With People?

More people may not talk about their relationship with their Creator because they feel pressured to impose their beliefs onto the listener even if not interested. People may be less inclined to open up about spiritual matters because certain spiritual folks seem to have an agenda.  They feel manipulated rather than loved. Parents are notorious for ulterior motives and kids are keen in recognizing. Some parents are going to help in their own way whether wanted or not.

Now, Jesus certainly had an agenda with religious pretenders and evil folks. The OT has it greatest warnings for those that were just plain evil such as those who sacrificed children to gods.  But, let’s be honest. God tolerates a lot of our actions not up to His standards, or I would be dead. And Jesus didn’t have much tolerance for religious pretenders, as the Pharisees raised Jesus’ dander the most. It was the Pharisees who orchestrated Jesus’ death, not the atheists. The Pharisees distorted and made religion self-serving rather than self-sacrificing. The Pharisees were in love with their power. We today may hold on to certain beliefs, not because they are in the best interest of all, but because they keep us employed. Jesus’ religion was to love your neighbor as yourself.

It is suggested Jesus’ agenda was to keep folks out of Hell. HELL NO! The popular concept of Hell, where God is involved in the endless torture of people, is not found in the Scriptures. God is not a sadistic torturer. Hell is not a translation but a substitution for certain Hebrew and Greek words. Hell was an invention over the centuries to scare people into submission and obedience. The Greek word Gehenna in the NT wrongly translated as Hell was a proper noun and the name of a real valley nearby Jerusalem with a history. Hell is no more a translation of Gehenna than Atlanta is for Chicago.

Reading through any gospel, such as Luke, will reveal Jesus’ agenda was to simply love people in the moment. Jesus encouraged the poor and persecuted and gave them hope for their future.  Jesus healed but never seemed to close the deal with a hell and heaven speech (Luke 5). Jesus said to the sinful woman: “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace” (7:50). When one asked “what must I do to inherit eternal life” (10:25), Jesus didn’t admonish one to get on their knees and pray for forgiveness. Jesus said “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself” (10:25-27). Jesus knew that God can empower us to be the person we deep down desire to be. One saves their life by beginning to lose their life of unselfishness (9:23-26).

After Zacchaeus declared he wanted to do right by those he wronged, Jesus said: “Today salvation has come to this house….the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost” (Lk. 19). Jesus didn’t tell Zacchaeus he must confess or be baptized. Jesus simply praised Zacchaeus for seeing his need to begin a journey that Jesus wanted for everyone. Salvation is healing, deliverance, or rescue on earth from a life of self-centeredness. How do we tell others about God if interested? God desires a relationship with us so we might become the person we deep down desire to be. We can simply encourage others to get to know and follow Jesus.

Followers’ agenda shouldn’t be any different than Jesus’. Look for those who seek a helping hand. Jesus had a sense when people needed to simply be encouraged, when they needed to be told to leave their life of sin, when they wanted to discuss specifics about a relationship with their Creator. Pray for the same wisdom. The truth is that we all have a relationship with our Creator. God loves everyone but nothing brings God more joy then when it is a two-way street, both for His pleasure and our joy as we live less selfishly. Engage in relationships only with the desire to love others as they wished to be loved.

What Is The Most Important Thing?

Most will care about the types of relationships than jobs we had at the end of our lives here on earth. Jesus’ basic message was to love God and love others as we wish to be loved (Luke 10:27). This does not make God an egomaniac. Loving parents seek the admiration and respect of their children so they might consider their guidance. God could have overpowered others to change the world; instead, God loved others culminating at the Cross. We will have the greatest impact and fewest regrets in life when we love others as radically as Jesus lived out.

Beliefs matters. I began studying the Bible and writing what I thought God was really like many years ago, as I had problems with the God I was taught about growing up. I want other to reconsider their views, if preventing them from representing and knowing God as I know God. But, Jesus did not come as a theologian. Jesus came to love others so they might consider His ways for their best interest.

I consider God to be the ideal Lover. God does not control but attempts to persuade. Forced love is neither authentic nor desirable. Understanding God’s unconditional love for us inspires acts of selfless love toward others. God seeks to influence us through a relationship for our own good, as any loving parent does with their own children. The fear of punishment can deter but doesn’t lead to life transformations. Gloomy uncertainty as to God’s favor does not conquer battles against self-centeredness or long-standing habitual sins in our lives. Intimacy with God inspires one to follow in the path of wisdom for one’s one good.

I am certain I treat others better than I would without God’s help. But, I fail to show consistent love almost on a daily basis. I love my wife dearly, but my love toward her is hardly as radical as I care to admit. We mustn’t give up but our influence is only as great as our love is toward others. Efforts vary but God’s unconditional love doesn’t. We can start off each day feeling accepted rather than rejected. Jesus encouraged others to just follow Him. Jesus knew their thirst would be satisfied if they did so.

We must not get discouraged because we fail to live up to our or God’s standards always but keep striving to make this world a better place. Some have opportunities to influence hundreds of people if they are the pastor or CEO of a large church or company. We simply need to use the gifts we have with the current opportunities available to make a difference. God changes the world one follower, one heart, one action at a time. Live in the moment relationally expecting interruptions to help others:

• Encourage others as often as you can
• Support civility and defend the defenseless
• Donate to charities that make a difference
• Backup up your car from the crosswalk to allow walkers to cross
• Help an elderly person with their groceries
• Let the person behind you go first in a long line
• Hold the door always for others
• Let cars in front of you to curb road rage
• Write a letter to a veteran or someone that you are grateful to for their service
• Tip well if you can afford it or speak to one’s manager to tell them how great the service was
• Pick up trash wherever you are
• Give your parking space to someone else
• Check “yes” to become an organ donor
• Change the subject gently when gossiping begin
• Read to kids at school that need help with reading

What Does The Bible Really Say About Heaven And Life After Death?

The Bible may not say as much about heaven as we think. This can be discouraging but most want to understand Scriptures correctly. The word Heaven, which appears hundreds of times in the Bible, refers to that which is above and the abode of God. Heaven cannot contain God obviously. It seems that Old Testament believers went into the grave to be resurrected at a later time into the presence of God. Job only hoped to die and go to a “place of darkness” (Sheol) to escape his suffering (Job 10:21-22).  King David also describes Sheol as a place of darkness for those who are dead (Ps. 143:3). Enoch and Elijah, who did not suffer death, may have immediately entered God’s presence (Gen. 5:24; 2 Kings 2:11).

The New Testament suggests Jesus’ resurrection enabled a different destiny for all believers. The “last days” referred to in the NT are commonly thought to be in the future of us readers. But, the NT writers spoke of the last days happening in the generation of their readers. The last days were not the end of the world but the Old Covenant and temple system passing away. The New Covenant ushered in believers going straight to heaven as Jesus overcame the grave for all by resurrecting from His grave. The NT makes promises that the OT did not. Jesus was said to have destroyed death and brought in immorality (2 Tim 1:10). John says Jesus brought no more death (Jn. 8:51), and whoever believes in me will never die (11:25).

There are different views of when the events in I Thessalonians 4:13-18 were to take place, but this passage strongly suggest those who died before Jesus’ arrival did not have the same hope as those who died after Jesus’ arrival (see also I Cor. 15). Jesus’ resurrection proved that Jesus could and did overcome death not only for those who died before Him but also now for those who lived in His lifetime and are born in the future. God can and has conquered the grave as our final destiny.  I believe this passage speaks of an event that has already taken place as most think believers today enter Heaven after death.

If we have the hope of heaven and eternal life now, what does Scriptures say about our new abode? The word heaven appears about 272 times in the NT. It is referred to over 80 times in Matthew in references to the “kingdom of heaven.” Jesus says the Kingdom of God is coming in His readers’ lifetime (Mt. 16: 28). Thus, we are presently living in the kingdom of heaven. The second most frequent time the word heaven appears in the NT, after Matthew, is about fifty times in the book of Revelation. It is commonly thought that the book of Revelation speaks of events far in the future but the writer speaks of events taking place soon (Rev 1:1; 22:6). Daniel was told to close up and seal his words as the fulfillment was in the future (Daniel 12:4, 9). John in Revelation was told to leave his book unsealed (Rev. 22:10), because his words were to be fulfilled soon.

The new heaven and earth spoken of in Revelation (21:1-2) is not speaking about a time in the future when God will destroy the earth and come down to reign. John was telling believers soon they can begin to experience Heaven on earth, because of the new spiritual reality coming: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away…I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down of heaven from God….”(Rev. 21:1-2). Revelation is not describing what Heaven away from earth is like. It is describing a fulfillment of Jesus’ words in the generation of his readers (Mt. 24:35). The old heaven and earth passing away is fulfillment of the Old Covenant and promise of the New Covenant. The grave no longer holds people after they die as it did before Jesus came. Revelation 21:4 that speaks of no more tears, death, crying, or pain is referring to the fact that the grave is no longer our destination but instead we enter God’s presence immediately after death.

The Bible also does not say much about Heaven by way of speaking of the destiny of those who don’t want to spend eternity with God. Does the Bible really portray God as a sadistic torturer? HELL, NO! The popular concept of hell, where God is involved in the endless torture of people, is nowhere in the Scriptures. Hell is not a translation but a substitution for certain Hebrew and Greek words. In some translations you will not even find the word Hell, or you will notice Bible translations vary greatly in terms of how often the word Hell is used. Hell was an invention over the centuries to scare people into submission and obedience.

The Hebrew word Sheol in the OT often translated as “Hell” was simply a region or place of darkness occupied by the dead regardless of beliefs. As mentioned Job desired to go there to escape his tremendous suffering (Job 10:21-22). The Greek word Gehenna in the New Testament translated as “Hell” was the name of a real, literal, valley nearby Jerusalem that had a history. Hell is no more a translation of Gehenna than Atlanta is for Chicago. Scriptures only says after death that believers and unbelieves are judged by our merciful God

We can imagine though what Heaven may be like. Our imaginations may do greater justice to what Heaven will be like than descriptions of reality we have never experienced. The Apostle Paul does tells us that our eventual citizenship after death here on earth will be in heaven where we will have transformed bodies (Philippians 3:20-21). Heaven may be like the Garden of Eve before we rejected God’s oversight. There was no death or loss of loved ones. Streams came up from the earth and watered the ground (2:6), trees grew out of the ground that were beautiful and provided plenty of food (2: 9), humans and animals live among one another without fear (2:19), and then of course God created naked woman (2:25). If we accept God’s oversight we can hope for no personal evil as men will not take advantage or rule women (3:16), and no natural evil as the ground will not produce thorns or thistles (3:18).

The Bible does promise us eternal life. Most hope for something beyond life on this earth and a reunion with their loved ones. God seemed to want to encourage us to begin living with an eternal perspective while here on earth. John 3:36 is like many other Johannine passages which advises readers that eternal life can began immediately. One will pass through death eventually but one can enter a new life now when they shun evil which involves loving our neighbors as we wish to be loved (3:20). We can begin to have abundant life now her on earth (Jn. 10:10). Salvation is not being saved from Hell or only about entering Heaven sometime in the future after death. Salvation is healing, deliverance, or rescue on earth from the stranglehold of self-centeredness. We can begin living a life that will have less regrets when we pass from this earth. We no longer have to be bound but our desires for sin but look to God’s ways for true happiness.

How Do We Really Receive Eternal Life Or Immortality?

When one looks in the Bible to learn how we get to heaven they may look for verses that talk about inheriting eternal life or being saved. Many readers heard growing up that one gets to heaven when they understand the wages of sins is death but the gift of God is eternal life (Rm. 6:23), and if you believe in God you will be saved (Rm. 10:9). Preachers often suggest a prayer for salvation: “Dear God, I am a sinner that deserves death. I confess my sins and believe Jesus died on the cross to save me from my sins and accept Jesus into my heart.”

Many familiar with the Bible may be surprised to learn that when someone asked directly how to have eternal life Jesus said simply to love God and love others as yourself (Lk.10:25-27). Jesus didn’t advise one to get on their knees, confess their sins, and never look back. Jesus was suggesting one can have the hope of immortality by beginning to live by the golden rule. No one stops being selfish after beginning to follow God. Jesus was simply conveying that one begins to live forever when they look toward God and not their own ways. Getting to heaven after death according to Jesus is much simpler than many may have thought.

One misconception of eternal life is that Scriptures mostly refers to our future after death. The Bible though speaks of eternal life in quantity of life as well as quality of life here on earth. Romans 6:23 says the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life. Paul shortly thereafter says sin put him to death but Paul remained alive (Rm. 7:11). Paul was suggesting sins lead to spiritual death but we can begin living eternally here on earth when one follows God’s way than their own selfish desires. The word heaven appears about 272 times in the NT. It is referred to over 80 times in Matthew in references to the “kingdom of heaven.” Jesus says the Kingdom of God is coming in His readers’ lifetime (Mt. 16: 28). Thus, we are now living in the kingdom of heaven and can now overcome the temptation of sin in our lives with God’s help.

John in his Gospel refers to the term “life” more than any other book in the NT. In John life and eternal life were practically interchangeable (i.e. 5:39 with 5:40, 6:53 with 6:54). One is described as either being spiritually dead or eternally alive. John 3:15 refers to eternal life as being in Christ, thus referring to a quality than future destiny. John 3:36 is like many other Johannine passages that advises his readers who believe that eternal life begins immediately. One will pass through death to heaven, but one enters a new life now when they shun evil (3:20).  We can begin to have abundant life now her on earth (Jn. 10:10).

Jesus’ encounter with Zacchaeus before preparing to enter Jerusalem and face death (Mt. 19:1-10) lets us know how Jesus encouraged one to be saved.  Zacchaeus was a tax collector and had cheated many people out of their money. Zacchaeus had clearly reflected on his actions and told Jesus he intended to payback four times the amount he had stolen from others. Jesus responded to Zacchaeus: “Today salvation has come to this house….the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”  There was no formal confession. Jesus didn’t tell Zacchaeus he must be baptized though believers were being baptized. Jesus simply praised Zacchaeus for seeing his need to begin a journey that Jesus wanted for everyone.

The Apostle Paul did give hope that our eventual citizenship after death here on earth will be in heaven where God will transforms our bodies (Philippians 3:20). But, Jesus emphasis was His desire for us to begin living with an eternal perspective while on earth. Salvation is not being saved from Hell or only about entering heaven sometime in the future after death. Salvation is healing, deliverance, or rescue on earth from the stranglehold of self-centeredness. We can begin living a life that will have less regrets when we pass from this earth. We no longer have to be bound but our desires for sin but look to God’s ways for true happiness. We can have the hope of inherit eternal life when we begin to get to know, follow, and trust in Jesus.

Is The Bible Really Needed If God Is In Our Hearts?

It can be presumptuous to assume the Bible is a reliable reference in my writings just because I am a follower of Jesus. A book has to stand the test if it claims to be unique. We can know God without the Bible, but if the Bible is God’s inspired words it can make our relationship even richer. All religions are worthy of consideration and offer Books such as the Quran, Tipitaka, or Book of Mormon.

At times we would be better off without the Bible when used to divide followers into divisive groups (i.e. Denominations). Paul spoke about the harm of divisions among follower (I Cor. 1:12). Jesus came to change disharmony in relationships. Christianity would have more of an impact if our discussions about God were more civil since interpretations are imperfect. Biblical interpretations must be plausible based on what a loving God should be like. God cannot ask us to believe in anything unworthy of human, rational belief as we are made in God’s likeness.

The Bible is unique though because Jesus is the only religious leader who proclaimed He would rise from the grave. The Apostle Paul says Christianity is a joke if Jesus did not resurrect after promising He would (I Cor. 15:14). The Bible proclaims Jesus’ resurrection as fact, so the Bible is not credible if this event did not occur. Jesus was an actual person that lived, unless you question if Julius Caesar existed. An empty tomb is a provable historical fact beyond reasonable doubt as opposed to a story made up by first centuries Christians perpetuated over the next two thousand years. When the disciples spoke of Jesus’ resurrection and people responded with faith, all the authorities had to do was produce the dead body. Other faiths rely on a future promise. Christianity relies on a promise that happened in the past.

The grave was empty! Paul recorded that over 500 witnesses saw Jesus after His death, most of who were living when this fact was recorded (I Cor. 15:3-8). Some may claim Jesus’ body was stolen and that 500 eyewitnesses were recruited to perpetuate this lie. That takes faith! We would have to believe that over the next few decades Jesus’ disciples were willing to be martyrs for what they knew to be a lie. Religious martyrs today are often motivated by something they believe will become true in the future, not an actual historical, miraculous event that happened in the past.  There is sufficient, historical evidence that Jesus resurrected. Christianity is alive today because apparently the tomb was empty. The Bible is not a hoax!

Secondly, the New Testament has no equal with other literatures yet we claim them reliable. Nearly 25,000 manuscripts of the New Testament exist in libraries and universities today. The earliest of these is a fragment of John’s Gospel, which has been dated to within 50 years of the date when the apostle John penned the original. Within 100 years we have books and within 225 years the complete New Testament. We don’t have the original manuscripts written but for over 99 percent of the words of the Bible, we know what the original manuscripts said through textual criticism. We know what the variants are (different words in different ancient copies of the same verse) but none change any doctrines. Our present manuscripts are practically the same as the original manuscripts. To question them is to question all ancient historical documents.

Can it be defended that human beings using their own language wrote the Bible, but that the activity of God in overseeing the writing of Scripture caused it to be also His words? No supposed contradictions have ever been proven in the Bible. The Bible, written over a 1000 years including 66 different books written in three different languages by many different authors,  does have an incredible unity and consistency as though orchestrated by a Higher Power.  God’s actual words are recorded in many instances such as God’s command to Adam (Gen 2:16-17), the Ten Commandments given to Moses (Ex 20:1-3), and God speaking from heaven at Jesus’ baptism (Matt 3:17). The writers are either recording the words of God spoken to them in some fashion or lying and saying God spoke to them when He didn’t.

“Thus says the Lord” appears thousands of time in the OT. The Old Testament’s contention that it actual contains God’s words should be considered innocent until proven guilty. God said He would actually give the prophets His words in their mouth (Jer. 1:9; Deut. 18:18-20). Anyone who claimed to be speaking for the Lord but who had not received a message from Him was punished (Ezek. 13:1-7; Deut. 18:20-22) [Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology, 49]. Old Testament Scriptures do not indicate dictation from God, but the prophets clearly indicate they knew when the Spirit of God was teaching them.

In excess of five thousand times they say, “Thus says the Lord.” By so saying, they distinguish thoughts and words they receive from God himself from their own. For example the prophet Nathan illustrates this distinction. The prophet gave his personal approval for David to go ahead and build a temple similar to the cedar palace he had just completed for himself in 2 Samuel 7:3. That very night, however, the Lord appears to Nathan and nixed the whole idea, instructing him to give God’s own words about such a contemplated project rather than his own opinion. Accordingly, not everything a prophet said was inspired: only when the prophet spoke as the oracle of God – and almost universally introduced that word with the introductory formula: “Thus says the Lord.” At other times the prophet spoke as much “off the cuff” as any of us do on any other topic. (Walter Kaiser, The Old Testament Documents, 20)

We might ask if the Books we have are the ones intended by God to convey His thoughts. There is no record of any dispute between Jesus and Jews over the extent of the 66 books of the Canon as we know it. Jesus and New Testament authors quote various parts of the Old Testament Scriptures as divinely authoritative hundreds of time. Statements from the Apocrypha or any others writing are not cited with the lone exception in Jude 6 from I Enoch 1:9.

We cannot touch our Creator but we know God is present and involved in our lives. Also, the Scriptures are reliable historical documents conveying God’s very thoughts. All you have to do to discredit the Bible is to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the resurrection recorded as a fact was a hoax. It is true my writings often rely on my understanding of God according to Scriptures, but I believe the Bible is one way God speaks to us. Reading the Bible from beginning to end is not always ideal as the Bible is not a Book but a collection of writings. God, the Creator, was different from the other gods. God did not demand power for the mere sake of being in power. God believed in freedom and even joined in suffering resulting from freedom by allowing His Son to suffer a horrible crucifixion.