Does the Devil Care?

[M. T. Cross]

An angel with a torch in one hand and a bucket in the other, according to an old legend, met a saint walking down the road. ‘What are the torch and the bucket for?” asked the saint.

“Well; the torch is to burn down the mansions in heaven,” answered the angel. “And, the bucket of water is to put out the flames of hell. Then we’ll find out who really loves God.”

If there were no future reward for the righteous, and no future punishment for the wicked, I wonder how many would still be a Christian?

To put it more clearly, what I am trying to say; I believe that Christianity is more than a “piece of pie in the sky by and by.” It is more than just some ethereal fire escape or religious fire insurance, so that you can avoid the big deep-fry. Why do I say this?

Because there is so much happiness resulting from communion with God and the saints even right here and now that it makes Christianity quite worthwhile to me.

Thats not saying everything is perfect or that I have answers to every question; but I agree with you in some respects too. I really dislike Evangelists of Punishment. They have painted a mortified picture of Christianity, that can paralyze even the strongest of minds, during times of discouragement or trial.

This goes back to a thread I posted some time ago asking why it is that more Christians ( namely SDA's in that thread) don't spend more time celebrating their beliefs than condemning others

[CoAspen]

Maybe because they don't really believe or...heaven forbid...they be scared of doing wrong, which gets back to not believing!

ya never know.....

[Overaged]

This goes back to a thread I posted some time ago asking why it is that more Christians ( namely SDA's in that thread) don't spend more time celebrating their beliefs than condemning others

[Overaged]

Dr. Samuel Hopkins, eloquent preacher of the nineteenth century, has also said:

Quote:

The smoke of their torment shall ascend up forever in the sight of the blessed. . - This display of Divine character and glory will be in favor of the redeemed, and most entertaining and give the highest pleasure to those who love God…Should the eternal torment and fires he extinguished, it would in a great measure put an end to the happiness and glory of the blessed.

Your point is well taken how that so many paint such a dreary picture...I could go on for quite a while like this.

[M. T. Cross]

So which belief is the right one? I mean there are two drastically differing views on Christianity - I don't think they can both be accurate. So which one is and how does one go about deciding that?