Reader Poll - Would you be a Christian if there was no afterlife?

[St. SteVen]

For some reason, I have only just seen this thread. The apostle Paul says the following about being a Christian if there is no resurrection/afterlife:

“For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.” (1Co 15:16-19 NKJV)

So, without the afterlife there would be no reason to follow Christ?
Is that what you are saying?

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[Dan Clarkston]

Would you be a Christian if there was no afterlife?​

Bogus question because there IS an afterlife.

That's like asking would you keep breathing if there was no air

 

[Bruce-Leiter]

So, without the afterlife there would be no reason to follow Christ?
Is that what you are saying?

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Hope for the afterlife is not my motive for following Christ; it is a byproduct of God's gift of faith by his grace. That's what I'm saying.

 

[David Lamb]

So, without the afterlife there would be no reason to follow Christ?
Is that what you are saying?

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To me, it certainly seems to be what Paul is saying. Without any resurrection/afterlife, people who were Christians (he writes) would be the most pitiable people in the world!

 

[St. SteVen]

To me, it certainly seems to be what Paul is saying. Without any resurrection/afterlife, people who were Christians (he writes) would be the most pitiable people in the world!

Agree.
The question is...
Is there ANY value to following Christ in this life if there is no afterlife?
Any benefit in the here and now.

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[David Lamb]

Agree.
The question is...
Is there ANY value to following Christ in this life if there is no afterlife?
Any benefit in the here and now.

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I would say that in the bible we do indeed read of benefits here and now for believing in Christ, but they are only true because He did rise from the dead, and there is an afterlife. For example, He promises His followers His presence, and we also know that He intercedes for His people:

“Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” (Heb 7:25 NKJV)

We see from that verse that it presupposes that He did indeed rise from the dead - "since He always lives to make intercession for them.”

 

[St. SteVen]

I would say that in the bible we do indeed read of benefits here and now for believing in Christ, but they are only true because He did rise from the dead, and there is an afterlife. For example, He promises His followers His presence, and we also know that He intercedes for His people:

“Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” (Heb 7:25 NKJV)

We see from that verse that it presupposes that He did indeed rise from the dead - "since He always lives to make intercession for them.”

Are you saying you would not follow Christ if there was no afterlife?

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[David Lamb]

Are you saying you would not follow Christ if there was no afterlife?

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No I am not. If there was no afterlife, Christ would still be dead. Why would I follow a dead Master?

 

[St. SteVen]

St. SteVen said:
Are you saying you would not follow Christ if there was no afterlife?

No I am not. If there was no afterlife, Christ would still be dead. Why would I follow a dead Master?

Christians seem to really struggle with this question.

Did you choose to follow Christ as fire insurance against hell, or because of the benefits in this life?

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[David Lamb]

St. SteVen said:
Are you saying you would not follow Christ if there was no afterlife?

Christians seem to really struggle with this question.

Did you choose to follow Christ as fire insurance against hell, or because of the benefits in this life?

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God graciously brought me to believe that Jesus is alive, and that He is the only Mediator between God and man. Insurance isn't a very good illustration. We take out insurance policies to provide money in case something happens (like a fire, a robbery or a flood). Hell is a definite for those without Christ.

 

[Rockerduck]

God saved me, I didn't save myself. When I became saved, I didn't think about Heaven, I knew I was going to Heaven. God did it all.

 

[St. SteVen]

God graciously brought me to believe that Jesus is alive, and that He is the only Mediator between God and man. Insurance isn't a very good illustration. We take out insurance policies to provide money in case something happens (like a fire, a robbery or a flood). Hell is a definite for those without Christ.

One more trip around the bush. I've asked you at least three times now. No need to ask again.

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[David Lamb]

One more trip around the bush. I've asked you at least three times now. No need to ask again.

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Do you mean your question: "Are you saying you would not follow Christ if there was no afterlife?" If so, I thought I had answered that by saying that if there was no afterlife, then Jesus would not have risen - He'd still be dead. Why would I want to follow a dead "saviour"?

 

[St. SteVen]

Do you mean your question: "Are you saying you would not follow Christ if there was no afterlife?" If so, I thought I had answered that by saying that if there was no afterlife, then Jesus would not have risen - He'd still be dead. Why would I want to follow a dead "saviour"?

I'll take that as a "No."

Would you be a Christian if there was no afterlife?​

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[St. SteVen]

Why would I want to follow a dead "saviour"?

The other religions follow dead leaders.
There are plenty of worthy individuals that have passed on.

Would the lack of a resurrection nullify Jesus' teaching?

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[David Lamb]

I'll take that as a "No."

Would you be a Christian if there was no afterlife?​

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You'd be right. What would be the point in following a dead Saviour?

 

[St. SteVen]

You'd be right. What would be the point in following a dead Saviour?

Those in Islam follow Mohammad. Is there any point?

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[St. SteVen]

You'd be right. What would be the point in following a dead Saviour?

To be clear, I wasn't suggesting that the resurrection of Jesus would be nullified.
Only that there would be no afterlife for us.

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[Behold]

If there were no consequences or rewards in the afterlife, would there be any point to being a Christian?

If there was no "after life" then this means there is no 'eternity" were God exists, where Heaven exists, where the KOG exists, and where Hell exits.

So, in THAT case, the "grave would be the body, soul, and spirit, end of us", as some demonic cults teach.

 

[David Lamb]

Those in Islam follow Mohammad. Is there any point?

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I don't believe so.