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Gnosticism posits that there is such a thing as saving knowledge......that people are saved by the accuracy of beliefs...and NOT by obedience to God. And that takes us to the limits or extents of God's mercy. If one is paying attention Jesus will judge the world by how they treated His...

Hi Beebster. While it is certain that salvation goes beyond the church....since God so loved the world...and not just the church, the criteria for salvation hasn't changed to love one neighbour as oneself, to fear the Lord, remain humble, and be merciful (something that a hypocrite cannot do)...

Amen Shep. Another great post. Could this be an indicator of what we can expect for 2026? Hope all have a blessed year in Christ. :) <><

I use the term "fundamentalist" in this context to differentiate these people from the "universalists" that are ever increasing in church circles....and this in reaction to the hypocrites among the "over-spiritualized" as you put it. The bible calls out those who take away righteousness from...

What of all the churches set up by men?? But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Matt 15:13

This is one of the better posts I have read in response to my positions. It also reveals how difficult it is to speak with people who justify themselves based on their beliefs. Fundamentalists are like a flock of turkeys who disdain the pigs going to slaughter...not realizing that thanksgiving...

This is typical of an unbalanced thinking. More unbalanced thinking. You need to try understanding God's ways without the self-interest.

And in your opinion how would God assess your own attempt at Christ-following?

Have believers in our time abandoned the faith once delivered to the saints? Historically, for the sake of expediency, those who governed the ecclesiastical institutions of Christendom saw to water down the words of God, twisting the meaning of Scriptures for the sake of self-aggrandizement and...

I think you are limiting God's mercy to your own advantage. Do you think that God gives mercy to the unmerciful?

God's mercy extends into the "nations of them that are saved". And that judgment is yet to come. The meek shall inherit the earth

This is an example of religious folly that seeks for self-affirmation, and condemns all others who don't kiss the ring or bend the knee.. to the "saved" EGO. A person that fears God, and has learned wisdom and balance doesn't slam down one side of an equation and allow mercy and the inclusivity...

And the unmerciful includes the religious fundamentalists that consigns all unbelievers to hell, regardless of their situation. For these extremists...who of course include themselves in their exclusivity...ignore the bible and invent a new set of conditions for salvation based on their own...

When it comes to Jesus as Head of the church, we are being pulled in two opposite directions....in a cosmic tug of war. Those who side with the devil, even as they adopt a shallow veneer of Christ, are adopting a kind of doctrine that supports people who hold onto the flesh and claim exclusivity...

I accept your clarification. And neither was I saying that anyone but the merciful would receive mercy from God. God will repay us according to OUR works...we will reap as we have sown.

I think fundamentalist extremists abound because no thought or balance or any depth whatsoever is applied to the reading of the bible. People tend to get stuck in one extreme view or the other...missing the point of God's word entirely. Jesus said...Without Me you can do nothing So religious...

Your answer reveals your own doctrinal bent...that does NOT stand up to scrutiny to the scriptures. So what I show in a balanced way you are unable to grasp. But the bible says... For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy triumphs against judgment. Jesus...

Man is dead spiritually...because of sin...but he can still awake to righteousness and love his neighbour as himself. You may know the story of Scrooge...a Christmas story... or even the story of the good Samaritan. What religious beliefs are required to help one's fellow man? Does it matter...

What about little things like God's mercy triumphing over judgment?

This thread is about the ways (plural) of God and his two standards of judgment. God goes easy on the humble and hard on the proud. As Paul says...notice the goodness and severity of God. Of course, many will see themselves under God's goodness and relegate all others to God's severity. But...