Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 9/29/2010

Question
Hello,
I am a Reform Jew and was invited to a church picnic by a friend and have always heard Christianity was about love so I was shocked when I heard the pastor say no matter how good you are you will burn in Hell if not a Christian and no matter how bad you are you get a free pass to heaven if you convert moments before death like Nazi Mastermind Adolf Iechman. Is this consistant with a loving, just and mercifull God? I now know what the bible states and was looking for a simple yes or no from a responcible and reasonable thinking Christian. I was flipping through the TV channles and heard Glenn Beck who is a Mormon say "Anything that pits one group against another is wrong".And Mormon theology clearly states all Christian teaching other than Mormom is an obamanation. How is this differnet from "convert or burn"

Sincerely, Gary

Answer
Hi Gary,

I am very sorry for this very late response.  It seems barbaric to say that one must believe as I do or burn.  Let me try to briefly explain what I believe the Bible teaches.

1.  All of humanity has sinned, be they Muslim, Jews, Christian, or Atheists.

Romans 3:10,23
10 As it is written,  There is none righteous, no, not one:

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

2.  This next point is key to understanding the thinking.  ALL sin comes with the penalty of eternal death attached to it.  Sure there are degrees of Hell, Hitler will suffer much more than the self righteous old lady down the street, but all sin brings eternal death.

Romans 6:23
23 For the wages of sin is death...
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Revelation 21:8
8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

3.  Since the payment God demands for sin is death, no good work will pay for any sin.  We are hopeless to earn eternal life on our own.

Romans 3:19-20
19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.  20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

The Law then, was not a path to God, it was a diagnostic tool showing us that it is impossible to keep the law...

4.  So we need a solution apart from keeping the law.  This is where Jesus Comes in.  We believe that Jesus died in our place, taking the penalty for our sin, and offering God's Righteousness to be credited to our account.

Romans 3:21-25
21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;   
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge# 1769.

2 Corinthians 5:21
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

The King James Version, #Cambridge: Cambridge# 1769.

5.  No one deserves heaven!  That is the hard part to get past our pride, but it is the Bible truth.  That is why we must come to simple faith and belief that Jesus paid the price.

John 3:16
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
The King James Version, #Cambridge: Cambridge# 1769.

Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
The King James Version, #Cambridge: Cambridge# 1769.

6.  Since Jesus is the only one that paid the price for sin, He is the only hope any of us have.

John 14:6
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way,  the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
The King James Version, #Cambridge: Cambridge# 1769.

Acts 4:10-12
10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
The King James Version, #Cambridge: Cambridge# 1769.

I do not mean to be offensive.  Of course you have the right to believe however you choose.  I am simply trying to help you understand the thinking of those folks who believe the whole Bible and take it literally, and from an Evangelical perspective.  I hope that this helps you understand where that pastor was coming from.  Again, I do not believe that it is hate that motivates most folks, but love.  If they genuinely believe this message, it would be barbaric not to tell everyone possible that salvation is through Jesus.


2 Corinthians 5:11
11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men...
The King James Version, #Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

I hope that this helps you.

In Christ
Pastor Don