Explanations 1-10



  1. Did everyone who died before Jesus died go to Hell? Justify your answer.

    ANSWER:  In the Greek language, Hades (hell) referred to the invisible or unseen world of the dead... and yes, everyone went there. According to the ancient book of Enoch, Hades (AKA the 3rd heaven) was the place where ALL souls went, until the time came for them to receive their new “spiritual” bodies. It was divided into two parts. One side was a paradise, (like summerland) where the good rested, and the other was a place of misery where the wicked were to remain until the time of their judgment. (By the way, this teaching is by no means limited to the Christian Faith!)

  2. Explain why your god's only son had to die so we can go to magic happy land when we die.

    ANSWER:  To be perfectly honest, this teaching never made much sense to me. The Bible records that PRIOR to his death on the cross, a great many were told their FAITH in Jesus (as the messenger or Word of God) had saved them. Most every passage in the Bible that links Jesus with salvation, focuses on this belief. Furthermore, God seemed quite distressed when Jesus was crucified. It is said that the sky darkened, the earth trembled, and the thick curtain in the temple was torn from top to bottom! Many believe it was God’s will, because this event was predicted in the Old Testament. But knowing something is going to happen and “wanting” it to happen is not the same thing! Others say it was God’s will, because he didn’t “stop” the men who killed his son. Yes, God COULD have prevented this... but perhaps in his infinite wisdom, he realized that allowing Jesus to die for what he believed in, would only give strength to the message. So, as hard as it was... he sat back and allowed his son to be sacrificed... not by his hand, but by the hands of men. You have to admit that through his death, Jesus reached more people all around the world than he ever could have hoped to through a long life of preaching. His message has turn many from their “sinful” ways. In this sense it could be said that he died for the sins of the world as was predicted in the Old Testament.

    (PS For the record, the Bible does NOT say that Jesus was God’s only son... he was God’s only “begotten” son. The angels in heaven were also referred to as Sons of God.)

  3. If a Catholic, justify the Inquisition and other persecutions of "heretics" throughout the centuries, concentrating on why the Pelagianists, the Priscillianists, and the Manichaeans were persecuted; if a Protestant, justify the witch trials and the way that Protestants constantly hunted down native Americans until there were so few that the government could simply take their land; if a member of an Eastern Orthodox church, justify the persecutions of the Old Believers after the reforms of the seventeenth century.

    ANSWER:  I believe we should first clarify you are not indicating that ALL Christians participated in such ungodly acts, just as you would not claim that ALL who practiced spiritual “magic” were evil simply because some chose to use their knowledge to harm or control others. Sadly, the desire for power and/or wealth can be overwhelming, and throughout history has lead many to commit acts that could never truly be explained or “justified”.

  4. Explain why your sect (whether Catholic, Protestant, or Eastern Orthodox) pursued, tortured, and killed people who were not Christian.

    ANSWER:  Probably for much the same reasons that the Romans (pagans) persecuted and slaughtered the Christians. Each feared the other would gain followers and were trying to eliminate what they perceived as a threat. Once again, these events are perfect examples of man’s misguided desire to control and obtain power, and have nothing what-so-ever to do with Divine will.

  5. Explain why your sect (whether Catholic, Protestant, or Eastern Orthodox) pursued, tortured, and killed people who were not members of your particular sect.

    ANSWER:  You forgot to mention that some have even turned on those in their own sect! It really doesn’t matter what you choose to call yourself. People kill each other because they can’t agree on who should run the land, control the business, or even dominate in a relationship. But as stated above, this has nothing to do with the will of God! If you still want an explanation as to why men behave this way... find a good psychology book!

  6. Explain why, when racism is clearly wrong, Jesus was clearly a racist (see Mark 7:25-29). NOTE: under no circumstances will I believe the idea that racism is morally acceptable.

    ANSWER:   If you’d read another verse or two, you’d have seen Jesus was simply trying to illustrate a point... and he seemed quite pleased with this woman’s answer. He praised her for questioning his statement and told her she had answered correctly! Would he have done this if he disagreed with her? I’ve used this approach numerous times... asking a question that I know the answer to, or making a statement to clarify a persons belief... just before presenting my true opinion and/or making my point!

  7. Explain why, when discrimination against women is clearly wrong, the Bible clearly supports the oppression of women. Answering this question entails refuting 1 Cor 11 and 1 Tim 2:11-15. NOTE: under no circumstances will I believe that discrimination against women solely on the basis of sex is morally acceptable.

    ANSWER:  If you'd take the time to read these passages in context, you’d learn that Paul didn’t claim this was God’s will. He writes that the people should “...keep the traditions (as opposed to God’s laws) as *I* (not God) delivered them to you.” He is clearly writing to the people of his time and culture. The Bible simply records these customs and the guidelines that were given back then. A perfect example of how his advice was intended for that period, can be found in 1 Corinthians 11:5.   The practice of a woman covering her head in church stemmed from an ancient belief that her long hair would tempt the angels in heaven and cause them to sin! (See Gen 6:2)

  8. Explain why, when slavery is clearly wrong, the Bible clearly supports slavery. Answering this question entails refuting 1 Peter 2:18. NOTE: under no circumstances will I believe that slavery is an acceptable way to run a society.

    ANSWER:  Peter is simply giving advice to those who were slaves. He encourages them to endure any hardships with patience. He indicates that keeping peace and love in your heart under these circumstances is very difficult, but commendable in the eyes of the God. There is nothing there that indicates Peter supported this practice. As for where the “Bible” stands on slavery... please refer to Galatians 3:28. It confirms that in the eyes of the Divine, we are ALL equal... and none are thought of as less important. Clearly the practice of slavery is NOT supported in heaven!

  9. Explain why children should submit to their parents' decisions even when those decisions are clearly evil. Answering this question entails refuting Deuteronomy 21:18-21, Proverbs 13:24, and Hebrews 12:7-8.

    ANSWER:  I read these verses... but missed the part where GOD told the children to submit to evil parents! These verses simply stress the importance of disciplining our children in hopes they will grow to be responsible adults. In the case of the “son” who was stoned for his “disobedience”... are we really so different today? If someone’s “son” sins against our society, (for example, robbery, rape or murder), do we not take him before the elders (adults on a jury) and determine his guilt? In extreme cases, haven’t we sentenced this “son” to death by gas or electric chair? This passage did not apply to a small child. It referred to one who was old enough to be a drunkard and know the laws of his society, but who chose to disregard these laws repeatedly! (The original wording suggested he may have been committing sexual assaults on women.)

  10. Explain why, if your god loves us all, more than half of us are going to Hell after we die. Specifically, refute or explain the following words of Christ, as presented in the New Testament: "Many are called but few are chosen," and "Straight is the gate, and narrow is the way that leadeth unto salvation, and few there be that find it." If your god loves all of us, couldn't he find a better way?

    ANSWER:  A better way than good behavior? Better than loving one another? The way is narrow because doing the right thing is often hard, thus many choose the easy (wide) path. Is that God’s fault? Should we blame the Divine for our poor choices? We ALL have the same opportunity to walk this narrow path and have no one to blame but ourselves if we choose the easier way and end up in an undesirable place! Also, I believe that “many” hear God calling them back to the path that leads home...but only a few are specifically “chosen” for divine missions. :o)

Register for Kardia's FREE Monthly Newsletter and be notified
when more Questions and Answers are posted to this area!

Questions or Suggestions?
Email Kardia

All text copyright © Kardia and may not be reproduced or used without the authors expressed written consent.

Bridging the Religious Gaps

NIC Home Page