Author: Most Evangelicals Believe Good People are Heaven-Bound

[Gilgal]

http://www.christianpost.com/article...-heaven-bound/
quote from article:
"The majority of Protestants and evangelicals believe that good people and people of other religions can go to heaven, according to author David Campbell.
Campbell, who co-wrote American Grace, How Religion Divides and Unites Us, contends that surveys of 3,000 Americans, used to write the book, show that American people of faith, though devout, are very tolerant. So much so that most believers also believe that good people, despite their religious affiliation, can go to heaven."


"good" people? what's that?
the way I see it there are two kinds of people...saved or lost. Simple as that. No such thing as "good" people in God's eyes. Either you humble yourself and accept His free offer of salvation thru Jesus, or you can't humble yourself reject Jesus and send yourself to hell. Cut and dry. Black and white. No such thing as good people in my opinion.

sorry if this seems to be very blunt, but time is running out before Rapture....alot of "good" people are fast on track to fall right into hell. Stories like this make me as soooo many people are believing, and spreading the lie, that anyone can go to heaven if you're just "good enough"

[Wally]

Matthew 19:16-17 (New King James Version)
16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”
17 So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”


Isaiah 64:6
But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.


Romans 3:11-20 (New King James Version)
11 There is none who understands;
There is none who seeks after God.
12 They have all turned aside;
They have together become unprofitable;
There is none who does good, no, not one.”[a]
13 “ Their throat is an open tomb;
With their tongues they have practiced deceit”;[b]

“ The poison of asps is under their lips”;[c]
14 “ Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.”[d]
15 “ Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16 Destruction and misery are in their ways;
17 And the way of peace they have not known.”[e]
18 “ There is no fear of God before their eyes.”[f]

19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those 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 no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.


Galatians 2:16
knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.






A majority of people have not read their Bible.

[Hootmon]

A majority of people have not read their Bible.

[Eternally]

Yep, my baptist father in law wrote me a long letter years ago telling me not to push my religious views on anyone else, that it didn't matter if one of the sisters was New Age, that what mattered was she was a good and moral person, therefore they were trusting Jesus that they would all be in heaven, regardless if they were buddist, new age, jewish, catholic, etc.

[NeverTheLess]

http://www.christianpost.com/article...-heaven-bound/
quote from article:
"The majority of Protestants and evangelicals believe that good people and people of other religions can go to heaven, according to author David Campbell.
Campbell, who co-wrote American Grace, How Religion Divides and Unites Us, contends that surveys of 3,000 Americans, used to write the book, show that American people of faith, though devout, are very tolerant. So much so that most believers also believe that good people, despite their religious affiliation, can go to heaven."


"good" people? what's that?
the way I see it there are two kinds of people...saved or lost. Simple as that. No such thing as "good" people in God's eyes. Either you humble yourself and accept His free offer of salvation thru Jesus, or you can't humble yourself reject Jesus and send yourself to hell. Cut and dry. Black and white. No such thing as good people in my opinion.

sorry if this seems to be very blunt, but time is running out before Rapture....alot of "good" people are fast on track to fall right into hell. Stories like this make me as soooo many people are believing, and spreading the lie, that anyone can go to heaven if you're just "good enough"

I've been watching the Final Countdown series that someone posted on another thread. Much like the subject of this thread, yesterday one of the factoids was that 80% of Americans surveyed say they are Christians but only 6% say that Jesus is the only Way. SHOCKING!!!!!!

It makes you wonder just how many more times we will celebrate Christmas before He comes. The number of people that actually associate why He came as a baby with the Rapture seems to be falling like a rock.

[Armor On]

Can't imagine these peoples' terror when the "Lamb and Goat" judgement happens. Imagine them falling to their knees in front of the ONE TRUE GOD and knowing for a fact that they are doomed to an eternity of unspeakable agony... After the Rapture they'll get their chance because eventually everyone will know that the judgements ahead will be from god, and that the battle for good vs evil is heading to it's inevitable conclusion. A conclusion we already know PRAISE GOD!!!

[logosone]

Well, even the article states that there are probably some opinions
included as "evangelical" that might not be entirely accurate,
but I think it does accurately represent the growing apostasy.
I don't know about the use of "most" either, but interesting nonetheless.

http://www.christianpost.com/article...-heaven-bound/

[Buzzardhut]

It's a natural human response believing good people go to heaven and bad people go to hell, it takes lots of teaching to realize only those covered by the blood of Jesus are heaven-bound, and getting saved does not automatically make one a good person, we still have out evil sin nature within us bent on doing the wrong things.

[Acts5:41]

Oh, PUKE.

No wonder God has me out on the corner.

I have a very dear friend, who is absolutely convinced of this drivel. I think this falls under the "itching ears" statement Jesus made. People want to hear they just need to be nice, and go to heaven. I am sure he will enjoy the nice disaster kit and distribute however many Bibles I have when I'm raptured.

People who "teach" this dreck get rewarded with lots of cash.

Sometimes I wonder about my purpose. Then I read this; and I get it.

I paraphrased a quote by a famous atheist at work one day: "If you really believe I am going to hell when I die, why aren't you trying to save me?"

He looked at me (the guy is born-again). He said "You know, I have never heard someone tell me I'm going to hell if I die in sin. Especially not at work."

He was saved, but he had never heard that! I told him "Well, I believe it, and that's why everyone who meets me gets some Jesus."

[logosone]

Let me tell ya, I'm all too aware of trying to stay upright.
Obviously it's a struggle we all have and I readily admit
right here to the world that I am STILL a sinner and fully
recognize my every need for Jesus Christ.

[Mitsy]

It's a natural human response believing good people go to heaven and bad people go to hell, it takes lots of teaching to realize only those covered by the blood of Jesus are heaven-bound, and getting saved does not automatically make one a good person, we still have out evil sin nature within us bent on doing the wrong things.

I agree Buzz. It takes understanding about God's Holiness and Righteousness that opens people's eyes to the reasons why our GOODNESS can never be enough to pay for our sins but only the Blood of Christ washes us clean.

I know when I first came to Christ I still thought good people might make it into heaven. It took quite a while to learn why human goodness isn't enough.

[ChristIsKing2008]

Well I'll add my two cents to that......WHAT A LOAD OF RUBBISH!!

"Good people" will never get to heaven, because you get to heaven based on your faith in Christ, not deeds. Just because someone is "good" doesnt make them a Christian. I think this theory comes from a faulty belief about God....that God is a goody two shoes who will let anyone in, and that they think they have to earn God's favour. Kinda like other religions. Works instead of grace.
But we all know better...

[HeIsEnough]

they were trusting Jesus that they would all be in heaven, regardless if they were buddist, new age, jewish, catholic, etc.

It seems for many, it is easier to close your eyes and merely wish it all better. Men in this country have heard the same things we have, the same Lord who says it is in Christ and Him alone, but they don't want to believe Him maybe.

[Buzzardhut]

I agree Buzz. It takes understanding about God's Holiness and Righteousness that opens people's eyes to the reasons why our GOODNESS can never be enough to pay for our sins but only the Blood of Christ washes us clean.

I know when I first came to Christ I still thought good people might make it into heaven. It took quite a while to learn why human goodness isn't enough.

All religions still teach God weighs our bad deeds with our good deeds and the heavier side determines our destiny, it is a lie satan wants the world to believe.

[sunshine2777]

I think its so believeable by people because this particular truth about God and His Word is a very hard one. I think people just "want" to believe that most will not go to hell so they accept any teaching or just tell themselves that a good person wont go to hell regardless of their beliefs. As a believer, I know God's word, am saved but after studying enough about hell, I wouldn't have a problem if God changed His mind at some point in eternity and gave them all a second chance. I know He wont because He says He wont and I know He sets the rules and that everything He does is perfect... but..... if He did, that would be ok w/ me. If you understand "hell" as much as we possibly can, then you might agree w/ me. People can convince themselves of anything if they want to bad enough. Thats evident in our society.

And, no they dont know their bible and haven't read it. Or they wouldn't have the beliefs they have. Same for Muslims.. if they actually read the Koran, they would know that it is anything but a religion peace and run away from it. People are sheep... they are all in one of 2 pastures hearing one of 2 voices. Bbbaaaaahhhhh...

[HeIsEnough]

I think its so believeable by people because this particular truth about God and His Word is a very hard one.

If there was any other way to 'get into heaven' than by it being a free gift, most men seem to me like they would be happy with that.

Men can't seem to resolve in their minds that to earn it, it has to be perfect from day one, or it is worthless and not acceptable. So they continue to try to earn it instead of receiving it as the truth. I've often wondered how they see it as clearly as us, but they perhaps don't want it to be the truth. That they see within themselves worth, worthy to be acknowledged. Like that old serpent, he saw in himself value all his own, pride. Transfer that to others in a way, I mean nobody is all bad, right? A common thought amongst men, thats for sure. To acknowledge to God that it is all of Him, and nothing from me. If someone sees that this is true for themselves, why they have a difficult time seeing it is not true for others? Maybe for some it is love blinding them to the truth, I don't know. Some of my thoughts and ponderings through the years anyway.

[jackson64]

I could fill pages on why this thinking is whacky but I'll just reference a few verses....


"Many will say, Lord, Lord,....... and I will say-I knew you not"

Narrow is the door which leads to salvation

There are none who are good or righteous enough for a perfect and HOLY God...."For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God"

I'm not sure that these people can truly call themselves Christians if they don't grasp the concept of "being dead in our sins " and Christ's sacrifice on the cross being the ONLY acceptable atonement for those sins--we can't live "good enough" to earn our own salvation..and if we could then there would have been no need for Christ's incredible sacrifice and God's wondrous grace..

Like I said, I'm not even sure that people who believe in this "cosmic balance/scales" where the good we do is measured against our sins, are truly christians at all....it is the equivalent of calling Jesus a liar....or the Bible in error..

[HeIsEnough]

Like I said, I'm not even sure that people who believe in this "cosmic balance/scales" where the good we do is measured against our sins, are truly christians at all....

The article acknowledges that the "poll" had non evangelicals included in its 3000 person survey, so its suspect to me to begin with, I don't put too much stock in the numbers. Polls in general about salvation seem somewhat silly to me anyway.

The evangelical quoted said it correct, at least baptists, lutherans, etc. are in the realm of hearing the truth, but salvation is individual. Add to that there will be tares among the visible church, so its not all entirely surprising, we're just taking polls nowadays confirming what the scriptures said would be the case.

[HugsFromJesus]

I wonder if the people that are saying that "everyone" or "all good people" are going to Heaven could answer this question:

WHY DID JESUS DIE? WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE?

How would they answer?

[billiefan2000]

that is sadly many evangelicals dont believe John 14:6 to be literal anymore.


eric elnes (whom I never agree with and is probably the last person in Omaha I would 100 percent agree with on something)

(see) http://rr-bb.com/showthread.php?1473...e-in-John-14-6

I believe is right: many evangelicals dont believe John 14:6 to be literal anymore.

that is why Most Evangelicals Believe Good People are Heaven-Bound


but what defines a good person: not doing certain things or a relationship with JESUS CHRIST