Unitarians

[R P]

First came the Spirit followed by study. Then confirmation from following and observing the effects of how Jesus taught us to live.

The virtues taught by Jesus brings us closer to ithe Kingdom of God.

Bob Wilson

I know people will tend to believe what they want. But when talking about going to heaven, wouldn't it be important to understand exactly what Jesus says about that? IE you must accept him as saviour as outlined above. Is that included in what you believe?

 

[bwilson4web]

I know people will tend to believe what they want. But when talking about going to heaven, wouldn't it be important to understand exactly what Jesus says about that? IE you must accept him as saviour as outlined above. Is that included in what you believe?

Good points, let's address them:

• "What Jesus says about that?" - correct but we have a problem with the technology for recording what Jesus said. So I use:
  • multiple contemporaneous sources that say effectively the same thing
  • apostles writings are nice but just another interpretation
• "accept him as savior" - which is a construct not seen in Jesus quotes. He speaks of the "Kingdom of God" without any evidence of when and where except by living the life he taught us to live.
• "what you believe?" - God is; Jesus taught us how to live to bring the Kingdomw of God; what happens after death is less important than what we do in this life.

Bob Wilson

 

[R P]

Good points, let's address them:

• "What Jesus says about that?" - correct but we have a problem with the technology for recording what Jesus said. So I use:
  • multiple contemporaneous sources that say effectively the same thing
  • apostles writings are nice but just another interpretation
• "accept him as savior" - which is a construct not seen in Jesus quotes. He speaks of the "Kingdom of God" without any evidence of when and where except by living the life he taught us to live.
• "what you believe?" - God is; Jesus taught us how to live to bring the Kingdomw of God; what happens after death is less important than what we do in this life.

Bob Wilson

Re 2nd point, you're right, can't expect that as a Jesus quote as he is not dead yet. But other scriptures explain that he died and rose up, for our sins and believing and accepting that is our path to heaven. Since I am far from any expert on the scriptures, would like to hear from SD to explain that further.

I take it from your response you believe what you want, but not necessarily accept the whole Bible, in particular the apostles' Books and their interpretations.