judge

It may also be that the many Christian scholars are wrong about their interpretation of this passage. When it comes to "prophecy" where you have 5 scholars you are bound to have 6 theories.
I'm not too sure about this passage offhand but I 'l have a look at it.

Amlodhi

Indeed, they may be wrong. And yet, the skeptics on this board are often admonished that if they would read the scripture in the light of the Spirit, they would gain true understanding.

Now we have Dr. Scofield, who is not only a Doctor Divinitatis in the field of theology, but also consistently advocates studying scripture with prayer and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Are we, then, to understand that Dr. Scofield has been deceived in this matter? Wouldn't that pretty much chuck the ole "just study the scripture in the light of the Spirit" theory right out the proverbial window?

Namaste'

Amlodhi

judge

Yes I think Dr Scofield is offtrack in this matter.

I think the light of the spirit is supposed to inspire us to love our neighbor rather than enable us to understand these writings pefectly.
Perhaps we need to throw it out the window (or at least apportion it its proper place).
Studying the bible is a lot easier than loving your neighbor (for me at least)

judge

I would think that this vision is a message for the captives. If the message came during the captivity it seems reasonable it was for those in captivity.

spin

How do you demonstrate when Ezekiel was written? Isn't yours just another faith statement about dates?


spin

Mageth

Obviously, I don't think Jesus had any better idea than anyone else as to what happens to us after death. And I think it's highly likely that the "rich man/poor man" parable was a concoction of someone else that was put into the mouth of Jesus.

In other words, I put no stock in the parable at all.

But essentially, I think the "metaphorical meaning" is pretty much what you said - it's too late for evil (rich) people after they die; the good (but unfortunate) will be rewarded in the afterlife, and the bad (even if fortunate) will not. The basic carrot-and-stick mechanism used by Christianity to try to gain converts and keep Chrisitians coming back for more (bringing their tithes with them). But I don't think the parable gives any special knowledge of what those rewards and punishments will be - no one, and I repeat no one, knows if there will be such rewards and punishments, or if they claim to know there will be knows exactly what those rewards and punishments will be.

Yes, I'm in a bit of a cynical mood today, having spent 5 hours in fundy Church services yesterday...

Endymion83

Here is an article I found on Hells origins.

http://www.skeptical-christian.net/a...d_concept.html

happytime

Someone on another board made a good point awhile go. Whether hell is a place where people are seperated from god, actually being tortured, or simply destroyed forever, it would be saddening for those in heaven. How will all the people in heaven feel knowing that they will never see some of there loved ones again?

naltariel

Happytime: I was told that God would console the people in Heaven (he'd wipe all their tears) if people they loved were in Hell. Personally, I can't see how to make those husbands, wives, parents, etc whose loved ones are in hell without taking out what makes us human: compassion and love.

BATERBOY

One thing I don't understand is why would Satan torture the people that did his biding? God wants you to be tortured for sinning, so wouldn't Satan do just the opposite to make God angry?, would he not pat you on the back and say, good job!, you did as I wanted you to. It seems, that by punishing you, that Satan would be obeying Gods will and Satan isn't supposed to do that. So Satan doing what God wants is contrary to the teachings. It is all so ridiculous.