2/10/21

Geography as the Most Important Predictor of Religion—Revisited by Kyle Butt, M.Div.

 

https://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=4133

Geography as the Most Important Predictor of Religion—Revisited

by  Kyle Butt, M.Div.

On September 29, 2011, I debated Blair Scott, the Director of Communications for American Atheists, Inc. During the debate, he suggested that one of the primary reasons (if not the only reason) that people are Christians is because they were born into a society that is predominantly Christian. He contended that this fact cast doubt on the legitimacy of Christianity and the sincerity of the person who claims to believe in Christianity based on the truth of its claims. Blair is not the only atheist who has used this line of reasoning. When I debated Dan Barker on February 12, 2009, he stated basically the same thing as Blair, when he said, “there are other reasons besides reason and truth that people come to their faith.” He continued:

The most obvious one is geography. Geography is the greatest single predictor of what religion a person will have. If you were born in Baghdad, you can pretty much predict what religion that person will have. If you were born in Tennessee, you can pretty much predict what kind of person you are going to be with your religion, generally. It’s the highest predictor (Butt and Barker, 2009).

While it may be true that geography is the highest predictor of a person’s religion, it is important to understand what Scott and Barker are trying to say, and why it has no bearing on the truth of the proposition that God exists. The implication is that if most people in an area hold a certain religious belief, then the mere fact that it is the “traditional” belief of that area should cast disparaging light on the belief, or at least should call into question the honesty and intellectual rigor of those who hold the belief. This is a classic example of a logical fallacy known as the genetic fallacy. The genetic fallacy is committed when a person attempts to discredit an idea based on its origin, not based on the merits of the idea itself. In this instance, Barker, Scott, and other atheists are suggesting that a belief in the God of the Bible should be questioned merely on the basis of the fact that the idea stems from certain cultures or regions.

When this accusation against belief in God is studied critically, however, it becomes apparent that these atheists are making a moot point. What does it matter if the biggest predictor of a person’s religion is geography? Does that mean that the information is necessarily false? If that were the case, we could simply lump atheism in with all other “religions” and say that geography is the single biggest predictor of whether a person will claim atheism. Polls indicate that those born in China or the former Soviet Union, and certain other areas of Europe, are much more likely to be atheists than other areas of the globe (“Major Religions of the World…,” 2007). So what does that mean about atheism? Should it be rejected soley on the basis of geography? We are forced by rationality to understand that it means nothing—other than the fact that most people, including atheists, adopt the beliefs of the people nearest to them. It says nothing whatsoever about the truth of the beliefs.

Suppose we were to suggest that geography is the single biggest predictor of whether a person will know his or her multiplication tables by age 12. Would that mean that all those who learned their “times tables” hold an incorrect view of the world? Of course not. Would it mean that the local knowledge of multiplication casts suspicion on the truth of the math being done? No. It has absolutely no bearing on the accuracy of the multiplication tables. Again, suppose that we said that geography is the single most important indicator of whether a person understands how germs are passed. Does that mean that all those people who wash their hands because that is “what their mothers taught them about germs” have been taught wrong? Certainly not.

In truth, we intuitively know that geography has nothing to do with truth claims. Is it the case that truth seekers often break away from their culturally held beliefs, forsake false ideas, and embrace the truth that God exists, the Bible is His Word, and Jesus is His Son? Yes. It is also true that many forsake the cultural truths that they were taught as children, reject the reality of God’s existence, and exchange that belief for false worldviews like atheism and agnosticism. That happens as well.

The atheistic objection that ideas concerning the God of the Bible should be questioned because they are held by more people in certain regions has no merit and can easily be dismissed. It should, however, make us stop and think about why we hold the beliefs that we do. The apostle Paul admonished all people to “test all things; hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). It is true that many people are guilty of clinging to a belief simply because their family or culture is closely tied to it, and the Bible explicitly cautions against doing so (cf. Mark 7:8-13). The fact that many people blindly cling to tradition says nothing whatsoever about the truth or falsity of the belief, but it does say something about the sincerity of the one who holds those beliefs without having truly “tested” them. If all the people in the world were to honestly assess their core beliefs based on truth and reason, they would become New Testament Christians regardless of where they were born or where they currently live. As Jesus explained to Pilate: “I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice” (John 18:37).

REFERENCES

Butt, Kyle and Dan Barker (2009), Butt/Barker Debate: Does the God of the Bible Exist? (Montgomery, AL: Apologetics Press).

“Major Religions of the World Ranked by Number of Adherents” (2007), http://www.adherents.com/Religions_By_Adherents.html#Nonreligious.

Geography as the Most Important Predictor of Religion? by Kyle Butt, M.Div.

 

https://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=2789

Geography as the Most Important Predictor of Religion?

by  Kyle Butt, M.Div.

Seven and a half minutes into his 10-minute rebuttal speech during our February 12, 2009 Darwin Day debate, Dan Barker noted that “there are other reasons besides reason and truth that people come to their faith.” He continued:

The most obvious one is geography. Geography is the greatest single predictor of what religion a person will have. If you were born in Baghdad, you can pretty much predict what religion that person will have. If you were born in Tennessee, you can pretty much predict what kind of person you are going to be with your religion, generally. It’s the highest predictor (Butt and Barker, 2009).

While it may be true that geography is the highest predictor of a person’s religion, it is important to understand what Barker is trying to say and why it has no bearing on the truth of the proposition that God exists. The implication is that if most people in an area hold a certain religious belief, then the mere fact that it is the “traditional” belief of that area should cast disparaging light on the belief, or at least should call into question the honesty and intellectual rigor of those who hold the belief.

When Barker’s statement is studied critically, however, it becomes apparent that his point is moot. So what if the biggest predictor of a person’s religion is geography? Does that mean that when geography is the biggest predictor of those who will hold a certain belief, then that belief is false? If that were the case, we could simply lump atheism in with all other “religions” and say that geography is the single biggest predictor of whether a person will claim atheism. Polls indicate that those born in China or the former Soviet Union, and certain other areas of Europe, are much more likely to be atheists than other areas of the globe (“Major Religions of the World...,” 2007). So what does that mean about atheism? We are forced by rationality to agree that it means nothing, other than the fact that most people, including atheists, adopt the beliefs of the people nearest to them. It says nothing whatever about the truth of the beliefs.

Suppose we were to suggest that geography is the single biggest predictor of whether a person will know his or her multiplication tables by age 12? Would that mean that all those who learned their “times tables” hold an incorrect view of the world? Of course not. Would it mean that the local knowledge of multiplication casts suspicion on the truth of the math being done? No. It has absolutely no bearing on the accuracy of the multiplication tables. Again, suppose that we said that geography is the single most important indicator of whether a person understands how germs are passed. Does that mean that all those people who wash their hands because that is “what their mothers taught them about germs” have been taught wrong? Certainly not.

In truth, everyone knows that geography has nothing to do with truth claims. Is it the case that truth seekers often break away from their culturally held beliefs, forsake false ideas, and embrace the truth that God exists, the Bible is His Word, and Jesus is His Son? Yes. It is also true that many forsake the cultural truths that they were taught as children, reject the reality of God’s existence, and exchange that belief for false worldviews like atheism and agnosticism. Yes, that happens as well.

In logic, there is a common fallacy known as a “red herring.” The term comes from the idea of dragging a fish across an animal’s scent trail in an attempt to throw the hounds off the scent. In logic, a “red herring” is a device used to divert the attention of the audience from the real point that is being addressed. When we look at Barker’s use of the “geography” idea, something smells very fishy.

REFERENCES

Butt, Kyle and Dan Barker (2009), Butt/Barker Debate: Does the God of the Bible Exist? (Montgomery, AL: Apologetics Press).

“Major Religions of the World Ranked by Number of Adherents” (2007), [On-line]: URL: http://www.adherents.com/Religions_By_Adherents.html#Nonreligious.

"THE GOSPEL OF MARK" Who Do You Say That Jesus Is? (8:27-30) by Mark Copeland

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
"THE GOSPEL OF MARK"

 Who Do You Say That Jesus Is? (8:27-30)

INTRODUCTION

1. On the road from Bethsaida to Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asked His disciples two questions...
   a. "Who do men say that I am?" - Mk 8:27-28
   b. "But who do you say that I am?" - Mk 8:29-30

2. The responses to such questions concerning Jesus' identity...
   a. Have been many and varied
   b. Both in Jesus' day and today

[It is the most important question people could ask themselves, for
their response determines their destiny both in this life and the life
to come.  Let's take a look at...]

I. WHAT PEOPLE SAID THEN

   A. JOHN THE BAPTIST...
      1. King Herod thought this when he heard about Jesus - Mk 6:14
      2. Perhaps motivated by guilt for having beheaded John - Mk 6:16

   B. ELIJAH...
      1. Likely based on their misunderstanding of Malachi's prophecy - Mal 4:5
      2. Which Jesus explained referred to John the Baptist - Mt 17:10-13

   C. JEREMIAH...
      1. As mentioned in Matthew's account of this conversation - Mt 16:14
      2. Who some Jews expected to be resurrected as a precursor to the Messiah

   D. ONE OF THE PROPHETS...
      1. One of the old prophets risen again
      2. As mentioned in Luke's account of this conversation - Lk 9:19

   E. BEELZEBUB...
      1. Some had identified Jesus with Beelzebub, that is, Satan - Mt 10:25
      2. So thought some of the scribes and Pharisees - Mk 3:22; Mt 12:24

   F. MENTALLY DERANGED...
      1. So thought some of His family - Mk 3:21; cf. Jn 7:5
      2. As did many others - Jn 10:30

   G. CHRIST, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD...
      1. As per Mark's gospel, Peter said "You are the Christ" - Mk 8:27
         a. Christ (Greek) = Messiah (Hebrew)
         b. Meaning, "the Anointed One"
      2. As per Matthew, Peter added "The Son of the living God" - Mt 16:16
         a. God's Son in an unique sense, not true of any mortal
         b. As confessed by others (Nathanael, Martha, John)  - Jn 1:49; 11:27; 20:31

[Opinions of Jesus' identity were quite diverse during His ministry. Today, it is not
 much different...]

II. WHAT PEOPLE SAY TODAY

   A. FABRICATION...
      1. Some skeptics deny He ever existed
      2. Yet the Encyclopedia Britannica uses 20,000 words to tell about
         Jesus and never hints that He did not exist

   B. GOOD MAN...
      1. Many say He was simply a good man, a good teacher, akin to Mahatma Gandhi
      2. Yet the Biblical claims do not leave us this option:  "You can
         shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a
         demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God.
         But let us not come up with any patronizing nonsense about His
         being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us.
         He did not intend to." - C. S. Lewis

   C. PROPHET...
      1. Many believe He was a prophet of God, but not the Son of God
      2. So teaches the religion of Islam

   D. CHRIST, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD...
      1. As professed by Christians today, and to them He is so much more!
      2. As indicated by this list:

              * 100 Biblical Names And Titles Of Jesus *

CONCLUSION

1. We have seen what people said about Jesus...
   a. Then - during His earthly ministry
   b. Now - by atheist, agnostic, skeptic, and believer

2. But the key question today is this:  "Who do YOU say that Jesus is...?"
   b. Your answer will determine your eternity - cf. Mt 10:32-38; Ac 17:30-31
   a. Your answer will determine how you live today - cf. Mt 28:18-20

My prayer is that you would join with Peter and countless others and confess to Jesus:

            "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Why not confess Jesus now, as you obey the gospel of Christ (e.g., Ac
8:35-38).  For you will either confess Him now, or confess Him later
when it is too late...! - cf. Php 2:9-11

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2016

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A State of Emergency by Ken Weliever, The Preacherman

 

https://thepreachersword.com/2019/02/19/a-state-of-emergency/

A State of Emergency

President Trump has declared “A State of Emergency” on our Southern border in an effort to secure funding to build his promised border wall.

This declaration has further polarized Republicans and Democrats. Conservatives and Liberals. Pro-Trump and Non-Trump advocates. Of course, the media is having a field day with political pundits in their respective corners pontificating about the merits of this declaration or the lack thereof.

Predictably, many on social media are passionately sharing their views. Some with harsh and hateful language. Sadly some who profess allegiance to Christ have dimmed and diminished their light with vitriolic speech.

I agree there is a national emergency, but it is even more serious than our porous southern border and the problem of illegal immigration. So, before our readers get riled up and are ready to comment pro or con about this issue, this post is not political. I’m not espousing a position on the President or his proclamation.

The state of emergency I’m speaking of is a spiritual, moral and ethical crisis. It is a crisis of the soul.

There is a spiritual crisis when tolerance is more valued than Truth.

There is a spiritual crisis when the opinions of celebrities, sports stars, and political leaders are preferred over the Word of God.

There is a spiritual crisis when relativism is revered more than righteousness.

There is a spiritual crisis when sensual gratification, choice, and convenience are cherished more than the life of an unborn child.

There is a spiritual crisis when politicians applaud the passage of a bill that allows for late-term abortions up to the time of birth instead of weeping over the barbaric and inhumane disregard for life.

There is a spiritual crisis when Christians believe that politicians are the answer to our nation’s ills instead of Jesus Christ and His revealed Word.

There is a spiritual crisis when religious leaders are more concerned with their positions, popularity, and pocketbooks than in proclaiming the Gospel of Christ.

There is a spiritual crisis when sexual perversion is celebrated and the sanctity of marriage is disregard, debased and denounced.

There is a spiritual crisis when we are more concerned about our personal comfort than the content of our character.

There is a spiritual crisis when material prosperity is more important than spiritual growth.

There is a spiritual crisis when we ignore injustice, prejudice and racial discrimination instead of standing for what is right.

There is a spiritual crisis when we believe we are self-sufficient and can thrive alone without the support of a Church-Family.

There is a spiritual crisis when we abdicate our personal responsibility instead of being accountable and answerable for our actions and attitudes.

While I’m an optimist by nature, these humanistic trends do not bode well for our nation’s future. However, “it is far better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.” While I may not have much direct influence of what happens in the White House, the Court House or the State House, I can be an example of goodness and godliness in my house. In the Lord’s house where I worship. With my family and friends. And in the community where I live.

In his 1921 commencement address at Wheaton College, our 30th President Calvin Coolidge spoke the truth that is needed today. “We do not need more material development, we need more spiritual development, we do not need more intellectual power, we need more moral power. We do not need more knowledge, we need more character. We do not need more government, we need more culture. We do not need more laws, we need more religion.”

“We do not need more of the things that are seen,” Coolidge added, “We need more of the things that are unseen.”

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman

THE ORIGINAL SIN MYTH by steve finnell

 

https://steve-finnell.blogspot.com/2016/12/

THE ORIGINAL SIN MYTH by steve finnell


 The doctrine of original sin is that all men inherited the guilt of the sin of Adam and Eve; therefore all men are guilty of sin at conception. Nothing could be further from the truth.

If all men inherited Adam's sin that would mean Jesus was born a sinner. Jesus was born free from sin as was every other man and women.

Hebrews 4:14-15...Jesus the Son of God....15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weakness, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. (NASB)

Jesus not born with sin nor did He commit any sin.

Ezekiel 18:20 The person who sins will die. The son will not bear the punishment for the father's iniquity....(NASB)

Jeremiah 31:30 But everyone will die for his own iniquity....(NASB)

Deuteronomy 24:16 "Fathers shall not be put to death for their sons, nor shall sons be put to death for their fathers; everyone shall be put to death for his own sins. (NASB)

No man will die spiritually because of the sin they inherited from Adam. No one will be separated from God because of the sin of Adam. Sin is committed not inherited.

Men will die spiritually and be separated from God because of the unforgiven sins they commit.

Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (NASB)

  The Bible does not say all are guilty of Adam's sin and fall short of the glory of God.

Psalm 14:3 They have all turned aside, together they have become corrupt; There is no one who does good, not even one.(NASB)

The Scripture does not say they were born corrupt, it says they have become corrupt.

Romans 5:12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned---(NASB)

Spiritually death has spread to all men because all men have sinned, not because of the inherited sin of Adam.

If a drug dealer introduces a deadly drug into your community and all die, they do not all die because the drug was introduced, but because they all used the drug. Adam introduced sin, he did not force people to sin nor were they guilty of his sin.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.(NASB)

No Scripture states that Christians need to confess Adam's sin in order to be forgiven of original sin. Men are only guilty of sins they themselves commit.

The doctrine of original sin is taught because of honest misunderstanding as well as the deceitfulness of certain men.

No person will ever go to hell because they inherited the guilt of Adam's sin. Men are separated from God because of the unforgiven sins they themselves commit.

The Book was Better by Richard Mansel

 

https://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Mansel/Richard/Dale/1964/better.html

The Book was Better

When a film is made from a novel, people who have read the novel often exclaim, "The book was better!"

One reason, I think, is that we interact with books and we see them visually. We form our own images of the characters. The film-maker can never recreate the pictures in our heads. Even worse, film-makers often presume to make significant changes to the story. Therefore, disappointment occurs when the screen version does not match the template in our head.

In religion we have a similar situation. People rarely read the Bible anymore, except in brief devotional snippets. So, when they hear something about the Bible they don't know whether it is true or not. Thus, they can be lead astray very easily. The message can be changed and because of ignorance, the listener thinks it is actually in the Bible.

When we study the Bible we interact with it and absorb it so that it becomes very real to us, like a great novel. Then, when we hear men talk about it, we can check their words by making a comparison with Scripture. We can "Test the spirits to see whether they are of God" (1 John 4:1).

This knowledge enables us to listen to men with discretion. When their teachings are not consistent with Scripture we can fall back on truth and refute their errors.

We can say, "Your teaching may be interesting, but I like the Book better." Because only in the Book do we find Jesus from whom all blessings flow (John 14:6).

Richard Mansel

Published in The Old Paths Archive
(http://www.oldpaths.com)

Essential by Gary Rose

 

 For human beings, what can be more essential than matters of life and death, for who really wants to die? We do everything we can to preserve life and yet so many people deny that there is life beyond this life to their detriment. Each of the “FIVE ESSENTIAL TRUTHS” are correct and I thought to expand upon them by quoting from the Bible.


Life is short

James 4 ( World English Bible )

13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow let’s go into this city, and spend a year there, trade, and make a profit.”

14 Whereas you don’t know what your life will be like tomorrow. For what is your life? For you are a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away.


Note: see also Jas 1:10; Job 7:6; Job 7:7; Job 9:25; Job 9:26; Job 14:1; Job 14:2; Ps 39:5; Ps 89:47; Ps 90:5-7; Ps 102:3; Isa 38:12; 1Pet 1:24; 1Pet 4:7; 1John 2:17



Sin has Consequences

James 1 ( WEB )

13 Let no man say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God,” for God can’t be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one.

14 But each one is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed.

15 Then the lust, when it has conceived, bears sin; and the sin, when it is full grown, brings forth death.


Romans 1 ( WEB )

20 For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse.

21 Because, knowing God, they didn’t glorify him as God, neither gave thanks, but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart was darkened.

22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

23 and traded the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed animals, and creeping things.

24 Therefore God also gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves,

25 who exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

26 For this reason, God gave them up to vile passions. For their women changed the natural function into that which is against nature.

27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural function of the woman, burned in their lust toward one another, men doing what is inappropriate with men, and receiving in themselves the due penalty of their error.

28 Even as they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting;

29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, malice; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil habits, secret slanderers,

30 backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

31 without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, unforgiving, unmerciful;

32 who, knowing the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also approve of those who practice them.


Romans 3 ( WEB )

23 for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;


Note: see also Rom 3:9; Rom 3:19; Rom 2:1-16; Rom 11:32; Eccl 7:20; Gal 3:22; 1John 1:8-10


Death is inevitable

Genesis 3 ( WEB )

1 Now the serpent was more subtle than any animal of the field which Yahweh God had made. He said to the woman, “Has God really said, ‘You shall not eat of any tree of the garden?’”

2 The woman said to the serpent, “Of the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat,

3 but of the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat of it, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’”

4 The serpent said to the woman, “You won’t surely die,

5 for God knows that in the day you eat it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”


Genesis 5 ( WEB )

5 All the days that Adam lived were nine hundred thirty years, then he died.

6 Seth lived one hundred five years, and became the father of Enosh.

7 Seth lived after he became the father of Enosh eight hundred seven years, and became the father of sons and daughters.

8 All the days of Seth were nine hundred twelve years, then he died.

9 Enosh lived ninety years, and became the father of Kenan.

10 Enosh lived after he became the father of Kenan, eight hundred fifteen years, and became the father of sons and daughters.

11 All the days of Enosh were nine hundred five years, then he died.

12 Kenan lived seventy years, and became the father of Mahalalel.

13 Kenan lived after he became the father of Mahalalel eight hundred forty years, and became the father of sons and daughters

14 and all the days of Kenan were nine hundred ten years, then he died.

15 Mahalalel lived sixty-five years, and became the father of Jared.

16 Mahalalel lived after he became the father of Jared eight hundred thirty years, and became the father of sons and daughters.

17 All the days of Mahalalel were eight hundred ninety-five years, then he died.

18 Jared lived one hundred sixty-two years, and became the father of Enoch.

19 Jared lived after he became the father of Enoch eight hundred years, and became the father of sons and daughters.

20 All the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty-two years, then he died.

21 Enoch lived sixty-five years, and became the father of Methuselah.

22 Enoch walked with God after he became the father of Methuselah three hundred years, and became the father of sons and daughters.

23 All the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty-five years.

24 Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.

25 Methuselah lived one hundred eighty-seven years, and became the father of Lamech.

26 Methuselah lived after he became the father of Lamech seven hundred eighty-two years, and became the father of sons and daughters.

27 All the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty-nine years, then he died.

28 Lamech lived one hundred eighty-two years, and became the father of a son,

29 and he named him Noah, saying, “This same will comfort us in our work and in the toil of our hands, because of the ground which Yahweh has cursed.”

30 Lamech lived after he became the father of Noah five hundred ninety-five years, and became the father of sons and daughters.

31 All the days of Lamech were seven hundred seventy-seven years, then he died.


HELL ( Gehenna ) is REAL

Matthew 23 ( WEB )

33 You serpents, you offspring of vipers, how will you escape the judgment of Gehenna?


Matthew 13 ( WEB )

37 He answered them, “He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man,

38 the field is the world; and the good seed, these are the children of the Kingdom; and the darnel weeds are the children of the evil one.

39 The enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels.

40 As therefore the darnel weeds are gathered up and burned with fire; so will it be at the end of this age.

41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will gather out of his Kingdom all things that cause stumbling, and those who do iniquity,

42 and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be weeping and the gnashing of teeth.


Matthew 10:28 ( WEB )

Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. Rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.


Matthew 18 ( WEB )

9 If your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into the Gehenna of fire.



Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven

John 14 ( WEB )

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.


1 Corinthians 15 ( WEB )

1 Now I declare to you, brothers, the Good News which I preached to you, which also you received, in which you also stand,

2 by which also you are saved, if you hold firmly the word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,

4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.

6 Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers at once, most of whom remain until now, but some have also fallen asleep.

7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles,

8 and last of all, as to the child born at the wrong time, he appeared to me also.


Note: see also Matt 26:28; Rom 3:25; Rom 4:25; 2Cor 5:21; Gal 1:4; Gal 3:13; Eph 1:7; Eph 5:2 Heb 10:11; Heb 10:12; 1Pet 2:24; 1Pet 3:18; 1John 2:2; Rev 1:5


That life is short and death is inevitable are statement that almost every human being on the planet would agree with, but concerning sin, hell ( Gehenna ), heaven and Jesus some take issue with.


Everything the chart says is true. I can say this because it is a historical fact that Jesus lived, died and rose again. Don’t believe this? There were 500 plus witnesses; that should be enough to satisfy anyone.


Common sense will tell you that if someone shared with you a way to live after this life, you would take it. Read the passages (and the many references if you have time) and take what they say at face value. Really, what have you got to lose? There is hope, because of Jesus!