Question about a Buddhist monk.

[stringmusic]

Here is an informative short video from a guy I like a lot if anybody is interested. The comments are turned off so there shouldn’t be anything inappropriate in the link.

 

[livinoutdoors]

I’ve been looking at this from the standpoint of a monk who has heard about Christ, and rejected Him, not as a monk who has never heard the gospel. Maybe that’s where a lot of the confusion on this conversation has come from? The original question in the political forum didn’t address this.

Obviously if a monk hears the gospel of Jesus Christ and rejects it, he will not go to heaven, again, that’s not my opinion that’s what the Bible clearly teaches.

If a monk never hears the gospel, and never has a chance to reject it then I assume, based on context of God’s character, that He will in some way give the monk a chance to repent and believe.

The original question did not address that because it was meant to be a simple compare contrast of actions versus words i guess. I dont hate you because of what you believe. I enjoy debates with you because you like to work through ideas whether you agree or not. I think thats a good thing. Many folks just shut down and say well thats what i think and i dont care what you have to say. As for my part it would be very sad to think of a creator who thought little of good people doin good works and laying absolute importance on a series of words spoken. Thats just me and im ok with it if you think different.

 

[kmckinnie]

I have more questions than ever before.
1. Does a Jewish rabbi go to heaven ?
2. Gay Catholic priest ? Any Gays ?
3. Jehovah witness ?
4. The list goes on.

About 33% of the world claims to be Christian.

Anyway I’m not worried or getting in convo.

 

[SemperFiDawg]

I thought so too but go into a forum as a Christian and tell people Christ is the only way to heaven. I’m confused as can be.

String I just saw this. CS Lewis said something in Mere Christianity I thought was wise. Maybe I won’t butcher it but it was to paraphrase, “we know all are saved through Christ. What we don’t know is do people have to know him to be saved.”

 

[Ruger#3]

The original question did not address that because it was meant to be a simple compare contrast of actions versus words i guess. I dont hate you because of what you believe. I enjoy debates with you because you like to work through ideas whether you agree or not. I think thats a good thing. Many folks just shut down and say well thats what i think and i dont care what you have to say. As for my part it would be very sad to think of a creator who thought little of good people doin good works and laying absolute importance on a series of words spoken. Thats just me and im ok with it if you think different.

I do think a bit differently but respect your opinion. We are taught,

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

In my simplistic mind faith gets me there, good works is a natural part of life once saved by faith.

That does not mean there aren’t good people doing good works outside the church, for there certainly is.

 

[stringmusic]

String I just saw this. CS Lewis said something in Mere Christianity I thought was wise. Maybe I won’t butcher it but it was to paraphrase, “we know all are saved through Christ. What we don’t know is do people have to know him to be saved.”

You got me confused with that one lol

At least with the second part of the quote.

 

[NE GA Pappy]

As for my part it would be very sad to think of a creator who thought little of good people doin good works and laying absolute importance on a series of words spoken.

a common misconception in our world today, is that you just need to say a few words and you are all set. Jesus never said anything close to that. He said to repent, and believe in Him.

Repent doesn't mean saying your sorry. It means to turn and go the other way. Imagine a parent that did some mundane thing that caused a childs death. When they realized what their actions resulted in, swore to never do that action again. Years later, they had stuck to that commitment. That is repentance.

Believing isn't just head knowledge. Even satan knows there is a Lord above all else, but he isn't saved. Believing means that you understand the facts, and that knowledge causes you to change your actions. If I told you I had 100k dollars that I was going to give to the first GON member that showed up at my house, and you believed it, you would be in your car and run every stop sign between there and Toccoa, Ga.

Most of the world today just wants to repeat a few lines to make them feel good, and go about their merry way, never changing. I am afraid they may end up without the needed credentials to enter Heaven.

Jesus isn't just a savior, He is Lord.

 

[SemperFiDawg]

You got me confused with that one lol

At least with the second part of the quote.

What he's saying is we know that Christ atoned for everyone, but we don't know if everyone has to know who Christ was for the atonement to be applied to them. All the OT saints didn't know Christ but his atonement was applied to them. Lewis is saying that Christ's atonement can be applied in that way to those who have never heard of Christ. Perhaps as in Romans 2:14

(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law.

What I gather is it's possible that Christ's atonement is applied to them. Only God knows a mans heart and only he is capable of making that determination, but I do tend to agree with Lewis.

 

[Ruger#3]

a common misconception in our world today, is that you just need to say a few words and you are all set. Jesus never said anything close to that. He said to repent, and believe in Him.

Repent doesn't mean saying your sorry. It means to turn and go the other way. Imagine a parent that did some mundane thing that caused a childs death. When they realized what their actions resulted in, swore to never do that action again. Years later, they had stuck to that commitment. That is repentance.

Believing isn't just head knowledge. Even satan knows there is a Lord above all else, but he isn't saved. Believing means that you understand the facts, and that knowledge causes you to change your actions. If I told you I had 100k dollars that I was going to give to the first GON member that showed up at my house, and you believed it, you would be in your car and run every stop sign between there and Toccoa, Ga.

Most of the world today just wants to repeat a few lines to make them feel good, and go about their merry way, never changing. I am afraid they may end up without the needed credentials to enter Heaven.

Jesus isn't just a savior, He is Lord.

Well said, practicing your faith will bring good works. One takes a different path in service to God.

 

[stringmusic]

What he's saying is we know that Christ atoned for everyone, but we don't know if everyone has to know who Christ was for the atonement to be applied to them. All the OT saints didn't know Christ but his atonement was applied to them. Lewis is saying that Christ's atonement can be applied in that way to those who have never heard of Christ. Perhaps as in Romans 2:14

What I gather is it's possible that Christ's atonement is applied to them. Only God knows a mans heart and only he is capable of making that determination, but I do tend to agree with Lewis.

Ah, gotcha, that makes more sense.

I’ve heard it explained that the faith of Christ’s coming to save for the OT saints is the same saving faith we have in Jesus post resurrection. If that makes sense

Check out WLC’s video at the top of the page also if you haven’t.

 

[BassMan31]

I was recently ridiculed in the political forum for stating that a Buddhist monk who lived a life of doing good but not accepting Jesus Christ as his savior, and having his sins forgiven, would not go to heaven.

So my question to professing Christians is, does the monk go to heaven or not?

Looking for simple short answers here if possible. Thanks

no man goes to the father except through Christ.