HEAVEN OR HELL?

The word heaven is in the Bible. So is the word hell. By definition, heaven is a real place for real people. They spend eternity with a Savior who saved them from their sins. Hell is also a real place where the unsaved spend eternity. Some professing Christians don’t believe in hell. Why not?

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The subject of where we go after we die is very important. According the Bible, there are two possibilities. The way to heaven, Jesus said, is a narrow way. Jesus said He was the way, and there is no other way. The good news is that no one has to spend eternity in hell because Jesus has provided a way to go to heaven.

Now, while this is what the Bible teaches, not all professing Christians seem to take the Bible seriously. Especially of late, it seems that many are explaining away the words of Jesus or apologizing for what He said. They maintain telling people they are going to hell is intolerant of what others believe. We are living in at a time in history when we must lay down our differences and come together for the cause of peace and harmony.

For example, consider an article titled “Who goes to heaven? Beliefs are Changing”. The article reported on statements made by Paul Knitter, professor emeritus at Xavier University, a Jesuit founded university in Cincinnati. This is what Knitter said:

If we really understand Jesus, then we realize we have to open ourselves with love and trust and dialogue with persons who follow other ways. I think we are starting to understand that more and more. [1]

Now, we know that Jesus instructed His followers to be His witnesses. Witnessing is telling others (who are not Christians) about the “narrow way” to heaven. However, it seems that Mr. Knitter had something else in mind. Quoting further from the article:

Knitter argues Jesus may have never uttered some of the exclusive statements attributed to him in the Bible. Instead the passages are interpretations by early Christians striving to preserve their faith amid persecution, he says. [2]

Finally, listen to one more statement by Knitter:

We also have to learn what God may be teaching us Christians through Buddha… or through Krishna. In other words, the Great Commission is to go forth and to preach, to proclaim but also to listen and learn.[3]

While Knitter is free to say whatever he wants, his views cannot be supported by the Bible. His ideas contradict the scriptures. It would seem to me we are living at a time in history when the words of Jesus are being distorted and twisted. There appears to be an agenda that promotes the view that all roads lead to heaven. While this may be appealing to many, it is heretical and dangerous. Remember, there is a wide way that leads to hell.

The only way that I can understand why professing Christians would attempt to make the narrow way a wide way is because they have been duped by the deceiver. Paul warned about this very thing when he wrote to Timothy. He said in the last days there would be those who would be influenced by doctrines of demons. [4]

I am Roger Oakland. This has been a biblical perspective to help understand the times.

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