What is Required for a Christian to get into Heaven?

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There is an interesting debate taking place in the Mormon thread, regarding salvation and what it takes to get into heaven. In one comment, Antipas states:

However, permit me to offer a “Jewish” perspective. Much of Pauls writings (ie Romans are taken WAY out of context. Are we saved by grace – Of course. However, that means the “moral” law of the Torah is very much intact and in fact now much more strict ( ie look at a woman with lust = adultery as Jesus said).

The new covenant as stated in Heb 8 is the writing of Gods law on our hearts and mind vs. stone tablets. A disciple of Jesus is under the Torah – however it has transcended as seen in Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

A Christian that continues in known sin is not a Christian and will not inherit eternal life and the Kingdom of God

My take is that everyone, even Christians after they are saved, continue in “known sin”. Christians may stop the easily identifiable “sins” – Drugs, Sex and Rock & Roll. But the more abstract sins — pride, anger, lust, greed — are all still very much present.

A reader also pointed me to Acts 15, which discusses the different requirements between Christian Jews and Christian Gentiles.  I had not read this chapter in awhile, so I was a little surprised to see that apparently at one point, according to the Bible, the amount of skin on a man’s penis affected his Salvation.

…and Mormons have the crazy religion.

Just a Couple a Fellas Hatin’ on Rules and God

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JP and I just received the most wonderful email from a reader who left City Bible. At some point, with the author’s permission, I am hoping to share the full email. However, here is an excerpt which I believe safely protects the readers identity.

The hardest part of my healing process was feeling like I was the only one struggling with CBC backlash. I felt like I was awful because I seemed to be the only one hurt by that church. I googled this blog because I saw a facebook post from a “friend” bashing your blog and false information. I had been taught that this blog was run by a few boys who hated rules and God, so I never looked into it. I was so excited when I found this blog that I was not the only one. There were others, LOTS of others who had been through much worse than I went through.

A couple of thoughts.

1 – I have spent the last four years aggressively friending on Facebook every person I ever made contact with at City Bible, all with the hope that someday I would find someone complaining about this blog. And in all those years, nary a peep has been said about me or this blog. So, who is this “friend”? And, more importantly, WHY AREN’T WE “FRIENDS” ON FACEBOOK?

2 – Yes. I hate your rules and your “god”. Primarily, because your rules permit church leadership to emotionally, spiritually and financially  abuse church membership. And because your “god” is a traveling salesman hustling for change on the street corner.

Break out your jazz hands everyone. It’s time for a show!

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I’ve gotten a few comments from readers about Generation Unleashed’s new 56 foot screen.

Reminds me of a certain delightful musical number — just imagine Poncho & Matt instead of Renee & Catherine.

Generation Unleashed is a show, folks. And from what I hear from the kids who attend, a pretty good show at that. But can we please stop pretending it has anything to do with Jesus. Generation Unleashed is about Generation Unleashed, just like every other show out there.

Mitt Romney Tithes More Than He Pays in Taxes

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I’m not trying to get into a political debate about tax reform. Nor am I interested in a lengthy discussion on how much the rich pay in taxes versus the rest of us. Because, as everyone knows, I hate talking politics.

But I do think it is interesting that Romney tithes so much.  Apparently, the Mormon church is a solid investment. Who knew?

Mr. Romney, a Mormon, has long said that he had promised to give 10 percent of his income to his church. His tax return shows that over two years he and his wife, Ann, gave $7 million in charitable contributions, including $4.1 million to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Perhaps Romney is onto something. Maybe tonight, at the State of the Union, Obama should start talking about Prosperity Taxing. You know, he can tell the American People, “The more money you give to the government, the more God will bless you and make you rich.” He can call it, “Courageous Taxing“. Might even help pay down the deficit.

(For what it is worth. I don’t think this is a Republican/Democrat issue. I think it is a “The wealthy own this country” issue.)

Pain is Actually a Gift From God

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I spent the last 45 minutes trying to find something to write about, and all I could come up with is this interview with Stephen Colbert.  In it, he discusses the death of his father as a child and how that affected his Faith.

In 1974, when Colbert was 10, his father, a doctor, and his brothers Peter and Paul, the two closest to him in age, died in a plane crash while flying to a prep school in New England. “There’s a common explanation that profound sadness leads to someone’s becoming a comedian, but I’m not sure that’s a proven equation in my case,” he told me. “I’m not bitter about what happened to me as a child, and my mother was instrumental in keeping me from being so.” He added, in a tone so humble and sincere that his character would never have used it: “She taught me to be grateful for my life regardless of what that entailed, and that’s directly related to the image of Christ on the cross and the example of sacrifice that he gave us. What she taught me is that the deliverance God offers you from pain is not no pain — it’s that the pain is actually a gift. What’s the option? God doesn’t really give you another choice.”

I find this approach to Faith much more realistic and refreshing. God isn’t Santa Clause.

Have You Been Injured in a Church Accident?

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Bob Schilling has a request:

I’m looking specifially for news items about people who have sincerely trusted God for healing and declined medical help and suffered or died as a result – would you have any links or direction for to look into those kinds of stories?

If any of you have such a story or news item, please feel free to leave it in the comments.

City Bible Turns Christians into Mormons

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Here is an interesting comment from a reader who was a Christian, until she started attending City Bible. She decided to convert to Mormonism.

I was saved as a lonely 15 year old in Ken Wilde’s church in Idaho. I moved to Portland at 21 because there was a major break/division in Ken’s church. I never knew what it was about but a lot of people left. In fact that was around the time Mark and Dee Dee Bryan started their church in Idaho. A lot of people from Capital Christian Center went to Church of the Harvest. I attended City Bible Church until I started meeting Mormons left and right. I noticed how wonderful they are and how they to treated me like one of their own.
Well here is the big bomb. I actually was baptized as a member of The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I have been a member since 1999. I could go on for paragraphs about what I have learned since becoming a member. None of the lies I was taught about the Mormons as a youth were true. I love feeling the Holy Spirit with no hype, music etc. I have been to the Temple. It is hands down one of the most sacred places I have ever been on this earth. The truth does set you free. Best of luck to you as you figure things out.

For the most part, Mormons are really nice people. And that is a fairly powerful evangelism tool.