what should a christian do?

[The Sherman]

i was looking for people who have read old/new testament to comment on what it is that a christian needs to do to guarantee their place in heave?

Waldo.....please step up i know you'll know this!

[chakka35]

Well, unwelcome as I may be, I'll start this off.

A Christian has no need to relate to the Old Testament, which is purely a Jewish collection. But if you insist, then you must worship unconditionally that jealous, murderous monster which is the OT 'God'.

Re the New Testament, you must believe the Jesus story absolutely, ignoring all temptations to use your grey matter.

[naomi24]

There is nothing they can do to "guarantee" their place in heaven. Even if they do their utmost to lead unblemished lives, and follow the rules, they still fear of the wrath of their God, and, hence, live in fear of dying.

[sherminator]

i am also the sherman!
and sorry if i made you feel unwelcome!

no like literal things like the ten commandments

other things like that?

would like an actual list so i know where i stand

[Theland]

I wonder if this is a set up? The sort of thing that corners a Christian so his / her views can be publicly demolished to the amusement of the onlookers?
Or is it a serious quest for eternal life?
So, would you like to become a Christian Sherman?

[chakka35]

Theland, why would it have to be a "set-up" to demolish someone's views if such views are demolishible?

Should Christian "views" be held sacrosanct, never paraded in case they prove fragile?

[naomi24]

Theland I don't imagine he knows if he would like to become a Christian or not yet. He's asking what a Christian needs to do to guarantee himself a place in heaven, and I expect once he knows that, and is confident that the answer is correct, he'll weigh up the pros and cons.

Sorry, dear Theland, I always feel so guilty disagreeing with you, because you are such a nice man - and in our lighter moments, we do have some fun here - but I have to say for one who believes as you do, you do use such odd terminology. "Publically demolished". Don't you ever question why something that you deem to be absolutely right and absolutely true can be so easily 'demolished'? If the tenet of your Christianity was so watertight, it could never be so easily 'demolished'. Surely that must tell you something? Does this continual demolition never give you the vaguest whisper that you might be wrong?

Sorry, Sherman, I've probably gone off-track here.

[Teddio]

Stick to the Ten Commandments. However, omniscient God will be displeased if your only motivation is one of wishing to entering Heaven.

[The Sherman]

Oh i do want to publicly ridicule christians for the hypocrites that they are be under no illusion!

i just wanted a comprehensive list.

I'm sure there is a part about killing gays or something like that and I was wanting someone to tell me exactly what it states.

[whiffey]

A bit drastic, but I think if you ignore the OT completely, ignore Paul (too doctrinal), and concentrate on the life and words of Jesus in the gospels, you will get a good idea.

[naomi24]

Since there are so many different Christian denominations, one comprehensive list does not, and cannot exist. For example, a Jehovah's Witness' acceptance of blood would preclude him from entering heaven, but it wouldn't bar an Anglican, or a Roman Catholic, from heaven.

[The Sherman]

yeah but surely if you live your life with a set of morales derived from a book there must be a list so you know right from wrong?

[naomi24]

Well, the ten commandments is a list, but that doesn't appear to go far enough for Christians. As I said, there are so many different Christian denominations, and they all interpret the bible in their own way - and come up with different sets of rules, so there is no one definitive list that covers all.

[chakka35]

In any case, why do you need to get your morals from a book written by unknown people about whom you can know nothing?
You would be a very strange human being if you didn't have an inbuilt sense of right-and-wrong - the best guidance you can possibly get unless you happen to be thoroughly evil.

But then, I'm forgetting: your question wasn't about being a good person but about how to get into heaven. Since, to my mind, that is equivalent to asking how you get Santa to bring you the presents you want or how to get the elves to mend your shoes overnight I'd better shut up.

[brionon]

If you READ the bible,instead of commenting on it Unread you will know that the ONLY way to heaven is through Jesus. So all those who've not heard of him or worship some other bloke are O. U. T. out !

[chakka35]

brionon, having studied the origins of Christianity for some decades I have certainly heard of Jesus and I don't worship anyone, but I shall still not go to heaven because I think the Jesus story is pure fantasy.

And when I consider the sort of people I would otherwise have to spend eternity with I am much relieved.

And what about those people you mention - the ones who have never heard of Jesus? Is it not a little unfair on them?