Okay, here I go again! Lol...I think I will start with original sin...The idea of original sin is not really a Methodist specialty, but I will explain what I think on the subject. I think Adam and Eve really blew it for everyone....but if they hadn't someone else would have. You think your mad....try the pain of childbirth! Lol...but that is one of the punishments that were placed on mankind for eating from the tree of knowledge. And this was discussed at the very beginning of the thread...but Adam DID eat from the fruit also...but only after Eve persuaded him. But that is the reason that we still suffer consequences laid down by God. We did have the original opportunity to live a perfect happy life with no work, supposedly painless childbirth, and eternal life on earth. The point here I guess is, once we had knowledge, (which I believe was the knowledge of evil) there was no way to continue the species without knowledge. How would Adam and Eve been able to teach their children how to live without the knowledge they now had?
There is also another verse in the bible that discusses the sins of the father being visited upon the son, i.e. you are responsible for your fathers actions. However, after the sacrifice of Jesus, that is no longer applicable. You are no longer responsible for anything other than your own salvation.
I am afraid that I am going to have to completely disagree with Alcatraz on this one though...I firmly believe in hell, and that people who die without accepting Christ as their saviour do go there. I do have some questions about that myself though, because it seems such a waste for people who devoutly follow their own religions (i.e. Judaism), that don't believe Christ is the risen Saviour, to not be recieved into heaven. So I can't really answer that one, because I do believe in hell, and I don't believe it's empty, but as to who definitely goes there and who doesn't, I'm not real sure!
WebCarnage, I just can't accept that. I know that's not proof, or even a rational argument. I just can't believe God created us for his own personal entertainment. It is such a central part of my life to believe what I believe that I can't even fathom that. I certainly don't mean this as a put down to you...I just have the faith that God created us to live in his image, to be responsible for spreading the gospel to others, and to worship him, until we join him in heaven. I have really thought about this, and I can't think of a way to argue your point. All I can say is that in the bible, it says God loves me. I have seen what was to me evidence personally that God loves me, through studying and reading the bible, and prayer. I know that isn't a great persuasive big impressive argument, but it's what I have....my faith. Like I said in a previous post, when it really gets tough, sometimes I believe because I believe is as good as I can do.
I hope everyone has a nice weekend, I have a ton of yardwork to do, so I may not get back here til Sunday night or Monday, but (to quote Arnold S.) I'll be back!
Deb :standupha
(sorry, that smilie just tickles me, and if you read my mood....that's what my hair really looks like now....awful woman!)
