subject: Obfuscating The Christian Doctrine Of Salvation [print this page] Obfuscating The Christian Doctrine Of Salvation
Christians by and large proudly proclaim that what makes their religion distinct is that it is not predicated on a "good people are saved" principle. For how could ANYBODY know what "good enough" actually is? Upon closer inspection however, this same dilemma rears its ugly head in the Christian faith. Substitute "good enough" with "belief". Do you see where I am going with this? For how could ANYBODY know what "belief" actually is?
Do not be naive! There is a very critical corollary to point out: could not one just believe or at least claim to believe "X" but go on to behave in a contrary fashion? Presumably, many might accuse such a person of "not believing". Why? Because he does not DO "X"*?
So it becomes rather clear that it is DOING, not believing, that is paramount! But then what becomes of belief itself? It is ostensibly demoted tomeaninglessness! Now if one still upholds belief as being paramount, how would you compare one who believes but fails to act accordingly to one who believes seemingly nothing but behaves according to the (claimed) beliefs of the other**?
Will you respect the "prick" that just believes or the amiable person that just does? I think I know the answer. In any case, how could a purportedly good God see it any differently?
Therefore, consider the insignificance of belief.
*I will briefly illustrate why failing to act according to a belief can not refute the fact that it is believed. Suppose a morbidly obese person pleads with you for advice on how to lose weight. You respond, "well, substitute your ice cream intake with raw spinach." From then on, you see this person gorging on nothing but ice cream. You ask, "where's the spinach"? Apparently your advice was not followed. Can we ascertain that this obese person doesn't believe you?
**Personally,I'd much rather someone forgive me than to claim he believes in forgiveness all the while failing to forgive me.
