First Post

[manyquestions]

Hello all, I am a Fundamental Independent Baptist, Deacon, and Adult Sunday School teacher who has begun to question the concept of eternity in hell. I found this site through a net search. I have many questions and was hoping someone may volunteer to go one on one with me either via PM or email. I think this would be better than initially creating dozens of threads with some very short questions. I also feel I would be more comfortable this way than having dozens of people chiming in with answers. I have believed my doctrine for 19 years, and have a BA in Pastoral Studies. I am not here to sharp shoot anyone, but rather to understand exactly what it is you believe. My only complaint with the info is it is so thorough, I cannot find some of the very short and to the point answers I need. I appreciate what you are doing, and have made a commitment to God that I will approach this subject with an open mind, something I have never been willing to do.

So basically I am looking for a very knowledgeable person on the teachings of this site to take me under their wing for a couple days. I promise I am willing to do the research, I am not looking for tons of scriptural references, I am a guy who wants to look it up himself.

Thanks again.

Rob

[onlytruth]

Welcome..I pray, our Father reveals himself to you... as you seek Him
blessings :icon_king:

[jabcat]

First of all, I really appreciate your spirit.  I believe Father has spoken to you.  I feel a quickening in my spirit.

Someone will be brought forward for you.  Let the Spirit lead.  Give it a little time.  You've come to a good place.

Members of the Body of Christ here at the Tent, please pray and wait upon the Lord to see if you're the one called to be of assistance to Rob.

James.

[Cardinal]

 :cloud9: Welcome to the board........I'm sure someone will be your 'provision' here. Blessings.....

[rosered]

  God bless you Rob in your journey of His great peace  within . 
  though I am comforted  much .
I to have many questions still ..  :HeartThrob:  rose 

[Gilbert]

Hello all, I am a Fundamental Independent Baptist, Deacon, and Adult Sunday School teacher who has begun to question the concept of eternity in hell. I found this site through a net search. I have many questions and was hoping someone may volunteer to go one on one with me either via PM or email. I think this would be better than initially creating dozens of threads with some very short questions. I also feel I would be more comfortable this way than having dozens of people chiming in with answers. I have believed my doctrine for 19 years, and have a BA in Pastoral Studies. I am not here to sharp shoot anyone, but rather to understand exactly what it is you believe. My only complaint with the info is it is so thorough, I cannot find some of the very short and to the point answers I need. I appreciate what you are doing, and have made a commitment to God that I will approach this subject with an open mind, something I have never been willing to do.

So basically I am looking for a very knowledgeable person on the teachings of this site to take me under their wing for a couple days. I promise I am willing to do the research, I am not looking for tons of scriptural references, I am a guy who wants to look it up himself.

Thanks again.

Rob

It shows alot of courage to admit things such as you have; an readiness to 'hear' is a rare thing these days and especially from out of the extensive background you detailed.
Old skool theology is becoming increasingly irrevelant and confusing these days. People are not wanting to remain blindly loyal to a religion nor to continue being the parrots of a denominational creed. Rather, people are searching to EXPERIENCE Christ as opposed to merely memorizing the narrative; needing to know the gospel OF Jesus and not only the gospel ABOUT Jesus.
Bless you in your search; be comforted with the knowing that our God declares that those who seek shall indeed find. 

[Beloved Servant]

And a seal has been opened!

[jabcat]

Wanted to let folks know that I immediately felt a tug, decided to wait, but as things developed, at least for right now I am chatting with Ron.  A PM at a time, if God pulls me out, I'll let you know and He will have someone else step up.

I alluded to Ron that God is still showing me things, I certainly don't claim to know it all.  I'll try to share some basics as God leads of His plans to reconcile all things to Himself that He has shown me.  I may not have clear vision on it all, if I stumble a little Ron, realize God will continue teaching me - and though I believe He's given me some basics to share with you, He will continue to clear up my vision as we go on up the road - and it's very likely that after awhile, as God reveals to you, you'll be able to help me with some things :thumbsup:.

God's blessings, James.

[sparrow]

Hi there!
Welcome!

I just wanted to say that your post and the posts from others have really brightened my path tonight. I feel a good spirit of love here on this thread and I was truly blessed by it.
Just wanted you all to know.

Thank you...
and again, WELCOME BROTHER!

[WhiteWings]

Hello all, I am a Fundamental Independent Baptist, Deacon, and Adult Sunday School teacher who has begun to question the concept of eternity in hell. I found this site through a net search. I have many questions and was hoping someone may volunteer to go one on one with me either via PM or email.

I would find it a pity if that would be the way you go. Surely it's good you (want to) learn. But it makes me missing out on the learning. I've learned a lot by reading answers to questions I never asked.

I think this would be better than initially creating dozens of threads with some very short questions.

Why not start 3 threads with your top 3 questions.
Or even better just 1 thread with one question. History show that one question is linked to another; and so are the answers. You ask something about Genesis and 5 posts later your question about Revelation is being discussed.

I also feel I would be more comfortable this way than having dozens of people chiming in with answers. I have believed my doctrine for 19 years, and have a BA in Pastoral Studies. I am not here to sharp shoot anyone, but rather to understand exactly what it is you believe.

There are many sharpshooters here. I don't think it's against the rules. It's the snipers we don't like :laughing7:
I think I was much more concidered a sniper when I joined. And I'm still alive :laughing7:

My only complaint with the info is it is so thorough, I cannot find some of the very short and to the point answers I need. I appreciate what you are doing, and have made a commitment to God that I will approach this subject with an open mind, something I have never been willing to do.

Question for you. Who do you made you opening your mind?

So basically I am looking for a very knowledgeable person on the teachings of this site to take me under their wing for a couple days. I promise I am willing to do the research, I am not looking for tons of scriptural references, I am a guy who wants to look it up himself.

I hope you find that person.

Just in case you overlooked it:
http://tentmaker.org/ScholarsCorner.html
Good startting point: http://tentmaker.org/books/HansonsFourWorks.pdf

Hope to see you post in public soon.

[jabcat]

REPEAT from prior post:  "Wanted to let folks know that I immediately felt a tug, decided to wait, but as things developed, at least for right now I am chatting with Ron."

But also Ron, feel free to post out on the boards any time you wish. 

[manyquestions]

I appreciate all the warm welcomes, and yes, I have started going back and forth with jabcat. I understand the desire of some to be involved in the question and answer, but would like it to stay between the two of us at least initially. I have no issues with sharing the questions I asked later on.

Again thanks, and I look forward to many discussions.

(Name is Rob by the way, not Ron!)

[manyquestions]

And just to clarify, my frustration is I am a BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front) kind of guy. I can tell you within a few sentences what I believe, than I can go into detail as needed. I am looking for that type of initial info so I can let some of the total picture soak in. Example:

I am a Fundamental Baptist who believes in a inerrant Word of God preserved through the Bible. I believe the writers of this book were inspired by God, and penned exactly what He wanted, and this Word was preserved through time. I believe in a literal interpretation, and believe God created the Universe in a literal 6 days, and that this was between 6-10,000 years ago. I believe God took on human flesh in the form of Jesus and came to give Himself as the perfect sacrifice for our sins, and we only need to ask for His forgiveness to receive it. I believe in a literal hell, and believe that any man who does not call on Jesus to save him will be cast into the Lake of Fire when he stands before the Great White Throne for Judgment and I believe this is eternal.

This was what I was looking for and am getting through my dialog via PM. I greatly appreciate the vast amount of information, but before a guy who has spent almost 20 years believe one thing can dedicate the time to go through all the info, I need basic questions answered.

I do believe God is opening my eyes to something. I got down on my knees the other day and asked Him to guide me through this journey to discover the truth about hell, and for the first time in my life I truly felt a weight lifted off my shoulders, so I am excited about what I will find.

Thanks again

[Cardinal]

 :cloud9: And I think I can safely say, we are all excited for you.......we have all been where you are right now and we know what you will find. Blessings to you in your search.  :HeartThrob:

[preistsplace]

I know how you feel, but first let me say welcome to Tentmaker, and also that this site has blessed me very much. Blessings to you and I will be Praying that the Holy Spirit leads you in your search. Ask and you shall recieve knock and it shall be opened to you.

[manyquestions]

I wanted to close out this thread by saying that jabcat and I have concluded our discussion. He was very courteous, polite, and helpful and I am appreciative of it. I did not come here expecting someone to show me all the answers, just to give me a good start in the right direction, and I feel he did this. I thank you all for this site, and what you are doing.

God Bless

Rob

[Cardinal]

 :cloud9: Don't be a stranger........Blessings....

[WhiteWings]

I wanted to close out this thread by saying that jabcat and I have concluded our discussion. He was very courteous, polite, and helpful and I am appreciative of it.

Beware of the rabbit; the high speed guide. :winkgrin:

I did not come here expecting someone to show me all the answers, just to give me a good start in the right direction, and I feel he did this.

That's good because only someone with the name HS has all the answers.
IMO it's not so bad we are a little wrong about whats written in the Bible.
I'm sure Father won't be mad if our small brains can't grab all the wisdom written down.

I have no issues with sharing the questions I asked later on.

Again thanks, and I look forward to many discussions.

After a long wait.... "later on" is now :thumbsup:

[WhiteWings]

Sounds we have a small disagreement... :winkgrin:

I am a Fundamental Baptist who believes in a inerrant Word of God preserved through the Bible.

I'm not so sure of that. There are many translations. All with their own (little) mistakes. Maybe there is one perfect version. But how can I/we know?

I believe the writers of this book were inspired by God, and penned exactly what He wanted,

Yes

and this Word was preserved through time.

See the first answer.

I believe in a literal interpretation, and believe God created the Universe in a literal 6 days, and that this was between 6-10,000 years ago.

I'm not 100% sure on this but strongly lean toward a billions year old world. The Hebrew text seems to allow that interpretation. Some even suggest directly writes about a very old eath.

I believe God took on human flesh in the form of Jesus and came to give Himself as the perfect sacrifice for our sins, and we only need to ask for His forgiveness to receive it.

That's easier said that done I think. The asking for forgiveness needs to be with you heart is my guess.
And to be able to do that you have to study the Word a lot I think. It's just my thought one can never ask for something s/he doesn't fully understand.

I believe in a literal hell,

All on this site do. But not all the definitions of hell are the same.

and believe that any man who does not call on Jesus to save him will be cast into the Lake of Fire when he stands before the Great White Throne for Judgment and I believe this is eternal.

I agree except with the last word.
And now with your last statement we loop back to your 1st statement
"God preserved through the Bible"
If one Bible says LoF is eternal and another Bible says LoF is for an age/while both can't be right.


PS thanks for your PM.

[jabcat]

God led Rob and I through a good, 5 or 6 mutual PM discussion.  With His help, I shared some things I believe God has shown me over the past 3 years since showing me UR.  I also shared some of my own personal beliefs, ways in which I understand particular issues, many of which are still in process of forming.

Rob is open, searching, and he's like the rest of humanity, in that much of what he understands is influenced by what those influential in his life understand and believe.  He's also like all of us, in that what he does see, he sees through a glass darkly.  God is clearing his vision, a bit at a time - step by step.  Some things he believed yesterday, have changed today.  Some things he believes today, will change tomorrow.  God is revealing Himself to Rob, and Rob, unlike one or 2 hard-heads who've come through the Tent lately, has a good, pure heart that is seeking the Father.  He didn't come here to debate, argue, or convince.  He came here to quietly check something out that his heart and the Holy Spirit have been tugging at him about.  Gently does it.

Just pray for Rob as he continues his search and his journey.  Rob, if you saved the messages, please feel free to post anything you'd like.  There will be some things here and there in my personal journey with the Lord, that even in this UR family, I may not exactly be where some others may be and vice-versa.  We can disagree without being disagreeable - in honor, preferring one another.

God's blessings, James. 

[WhiteWings]

He didn't come here to debate, argue, or convince.  He came here to quietly check something out that his heart and the Holy Spirit have been tugging at him about.

I was sure of that from his first message.
There is nothing wrong questioning UR. Questions are good.
Especially (there is that word again :laughing7:) if one reads the answers. Like Rob. :thumbsup:

[jabcat]

He didn't come here to debate, argue, or convince.  He came here to quietly check something out that his heart and the Holy Spirit have been tugging at him about.

I was sure of that from his first message.
There is nothing wrong questioning UR. Questions are good.
Especially (there is that word again :laughing7:) if one reads the answers. Like Rob. :thumbsup:

Amen. 

[manyquestions]

.........Rob, if you saved the messages, please feel free to post anything you'd like.   

For some reason, my outbox shows no messages so I do not have any of the questions I sent to you. If you have the entire chain we went through, you can post it if you think there would be any benefit.

[aspiring son]

welcome to the tent, Rob. You will be blessed hear.

:cloud9: And I think I can safely say, we are all excited for you.......we have all been where you are right now and we know what you will find. Blessings to you in your search.  :HeartThrob:

Amen! Let God do the work my friend

Grace and peace,

Brandon