PTM WEEKLY UPDATE -- APRIL 14, 2008
What our readers and listeners say
A question based on Armstrongism -- what happens to all those who never had the "truth"?
Based on your March 31 PTM Weekly Update about Armstrongism, I am still wrestling with a concept taught to me by Armstrongism many years ago. I was wondering if you have any thoughts on the subject of people who have lived in the past who haven't heard anything about Christ? As you recall, there used to be a common belief among many that during the time that Jesus would return to earth to set up a government, that those who hadn't heard about "an opportunity for salvation" would be resurrected to have that opportunity. May I hear your thoughts on that subject please?
• The "common belief among many " to which you have reference was a unique teaching of what is now generically called Armstrongism -- originating with the teachings of Herbert W. Armstrong.
Because the Bible is silent about "what happens to those who don't appear to have believed in Jesus" Christianity at large has no specific teaching that there is some future "time" when those who haven't had an opportunity for salvation will be resurrected in order to have that opportunity.
Some Christians conclude that such individuals will go to, or have already arrived in hell. The basic idea behind this religious conclusion is this -- "because such folks did not believe in our specific denomination, then they must go to hell, because they didn't have all of 'the truth' like we do." That idea is arrogant, exclusivistic, and spiritually toxic -- not at all like the teachings of Jesus. But it does exist -- and one must at least say that such folks do not attempt to go one step further and invent/fabricate a future reality which will allow those who never were members of their denomination/church to "have a chance" to sign on the bottom line -- and have "the truth" the way they do.
Armstrongism uses a similar illogical platform to deal with this question. Because so few people are trapped by Armstrongism, followers of Armstrongism are left with the fact that the vast majority of all people alive today do not subscribe to Armstrongism -- not to mention all those who never had the "opportunity" to hear Herbert Armstrong's unique teachings because he wasn't even born when they lived their lives as Christians. So, Armstrongism must attempt to "do something" with the vast majority of mankind who never "had the chance" to believe the "truth of Armstrongism." To fill this logical void, Armstrongism does not suggest that all those people will burn in hell -- it suggests that there will be a "time" when all who have never "had a chance" [code term within Armstrongism for "believing and practicing as we do"] to be resurrected and be taught by -- who else -- Herbert Armstrong and his followers!
Suffice it to say, this is fabrication on a grand scale. There is nothing whatsoever in the Bible about such a "time." This religious cocktail is intoxicating, it does make followers of Armstrongism feel good, for it offers a "time" when all their relatives who thought they were crazy and accused them of being in a cult will now see the light (of Armstrongism) and "have a chance." Armstrongism followers can conclude that all Sunday-keeping, Christmas-keeping, pork-eating, Trinity-believing falsely-so-called Christians will one day have "their chance."
The Bible does not tell us exactly what happens, in terms of eternal destiny, to each and every person who has ever lived. God does not pretend to involve us in the specific details of his plan of salvation and how he makes himself known to humanity. Some Christians believe that unless their missionary, from their particular church, goes to some remote place here on earth, then those people in that remote area are lost forever. It is usually not good enough for such folks to know that Catholics and Lutherans and Baptists have already been to this remote area -- that's not enough for exclusivistic religion. It has to be "our" teachings, "our" distinctives -- for after all, religion enslaves us with the idea that our unique teachings and practices save, not Jesus.
We don't know exactly how and when God determines to make himself known to human beings. God does not invite us to join him in judging the eternal destination of others. He does not reveal to us exactly why he does what he does and when he does it. We are well advised not to fall for the idea that our judgment of others, based on appearances, based on the fact that others don't fall into line with our religious ideas, is the criteria that God uses for judgment. We don't know nearly enough to render such judgments -- but then again, that fact doesn't stop human beings from judging others, does it?Not "doing" enough
I wish I had heard your recent sermon on legalism many years ago!! To this day I walk around feeling guilty because I feel I don't "do" enough for the Lord. I was married and raised a family of four mostly alone because my husband was always gone as his work took him away from home. At times, he would be gone for 2 or 3 weeks without coming home. It was not an easy life and I feel I could have done better. I belong to a Baptist denomination but feel I fall so far short! This sermon you gave has given me peace that I haven't had for a long time. Thank you so much!! -- Iowa
• We are delighted to have been able to serve you -- and hope we can continue to. I very much agree with you. I wish that I comprehended God's grace many decades ago. But for some reason -- perhaps to allow me to do what I do now, I don't know -- God allowed me to endure, experience, and fully participate in inflicting legalism and authoritarianism on others, in his name, for several decades. The idea of "falling short" and "never being able to do enough" is not the gospel of Jesus Christ -- it's a religious tactic to keep us always trying harder to measure up to religious standards. Of course, religious folks are sincere and mean well about all of the stuff they attempt to impose on us, but the fact is, that one can be sincere and well meaning but still far from the gospel of Jesus Christ. I was sincere and well meaning in all of my legalistic ways, but I was still misunderstanding, and in my ministry, misrepresenting God to others. I didn't know any better, but the end result was that religious legalism prevented me from coming to know the Jesus of the gospels. Thanks for allowing us to be of service, we know the journey you are on.A heartfelt thanks
I just want to say a heartfelt thanks to you and all your staff for the great work that God is doing through you. I really need the CWR and daily broadcasts in my daily walk with him. Keep up the good work and my prayers are with you and your staff as you continue to do his work until he comes back to receive us. Pray for me and my family as we need your prayers. -- North CarolinaCONTACT USRETURN TO PTM WEEKLY UPDATE CONTENTS PAGE
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