A misunderstood love

WILLIAM GOULD

I live in a culture where I am discriminated against, misunderstood, and often mocked even though I am neither homosexual, nor a visible minority. I am not socioeconomically poor, either. I am a practicing orthodox Christian. Often, I ignore the ignorance of others; bear the insults silently, rarely making any fuss. However, after reading an article published in the Manitoban, I am moved to write a response.

The article was written by Tom Guenther. His article centres on the concept of salvation for non-believers of the Christian faith. In other words, do non-Christians go to heaven?

Firstly, Guenther admits that he considers himself “respectful of other people’s views on religion, however cynical.” Which is a noble and holy thing; all people deserve respect and to question religion using our Godgiven intelligence. My problem is not with Guenther’s questioning of the Christian faith: if we do not ask the questions, we will never find the answers. On the contrary, my problem is with his prejudice and misunderstanding of the ancient Christian faith, in particular his belittling of it.

Guenther refers to the Rev. Franklin Graham, son of the revered Billy Graham, and quotes the former saying “those who do not believe in Christianity face grave consequences.” Although I disagree with Graham on many of his beliefs, I do agree with this statement. It is not a narrow-minded or exclusive statement. As a matter of fact, it is a loving statement.

For Graham and any Christian, the reality of hell is ever-present and oft near. It is a belief that our society does not like, as it requires responsibility both for our actions and beliefs. The idea that we are eternally held responsible for our choices. One of those choices is to be a man of faith or not and if Christianity is true and we knowingly reject that truth, man is to be held accountable for it. For Graham to point out that fact at a Christian service is to show concern for his fellow humans and what is best for them: eternal happiness. It is not to condemn them to hell but to love them.

Guenther goes on with his article, writing “Now what really bothers me about Christianity is its followers’ belief that only those who believe in Christianity will be saved.” Guenther’s statement is essentially that his pet peeve of Christianity is that what Christianity teaches is correct. I can think of no other single serious religion in the world that does not believe it is correct. Why would you put your faith and your life towards something that taught that it was wrong? I personally would not choose knowingly to live a lie, and I assume neither would Guenther. Guenther, through his next statement raises the question of the salvation of good, non-believing people, claiming Christianity teaches “No matter how nice a person you are, no matter how honest you are throughout your life, ultimately, if you’re not a Christian, you’ll go straight to hell.” I find it very awkward that he is making such a definite statement for such a diverse faith and such a complex question particularly, when he has written of himself that he is “by no means a religious person at all,” and I would dare suggest probably not a theologian either.

Guenther raises a complex question to which there are many proposed answers, not the single one he suggests. His conclusion is ignorant of a developed monotheistic faith and belittles centuries of debate, theology,

For those that chose to reject this love, or have never heard of it, or die too early, it is not for the Christian to judge their fate but for the perfect God to.

and study. As a matter of fact, it is in many ways more narrow-minded and less rationally thought out than the statement he disapproves of.

Guenther shifts the focus of his article. After providing armchair theology on Christian doctrine Guenther seeks out the Buddhist faith, and its “Noble Eightfold Path.” It appears he is trying to emphasis the noble life of the practicing Buddhist and esteems many of its noble tenets, as a result, he asks how the Christian may condemn such a person to hell, as I will point out shortly the Christian does not.

Buddhism seems to be the refuge for all western young adults who have problems or issues with the teachings of their ancestors’ demanding Christian religion. I believe this is often caused by the demands and expectations of a public Christian faith, a faith that needs to be publicly expressed and lived. There is an essential personal relationship with Christianity, something in many ways unique among religions. As a result, that relationship with Christ urges the Christian to seek out his fellow human beings and bring the Gospel to them. Guenther raises the question of the salvation of people throughout the world who have never heard of Christ’s Gospel. As a result of this concern, Christianity has a rich tradition of missionaries, many of whom were martyred.

Still though, the faith may not reach some pagans and some children will die too young. What then in these cases? My faith, the Catholic faith, for example has never in its history confirmed which individuals are in hell. It may raise the danger of fire and brimstone, but it has never ever spoken of surety of who is condemned and who is not. There is an old saying that the streets of hell are paved with the cobblestones of priests and bishops. Judgment is not ours, we as Christians are part of the rescue team trying to help our brothers and sisters, trying to love and care for them; trying to strive together on a journey towards heaven. Christians are not being closed-minded but rather loving, generally caring for the salvation of others — the greatest welfare of all.

The Christian believes in a God who is love; a God of infinite mercy, justice, and perfect compassion. A God who became man because he loved and cared for each individual. In St. Paul’s letter to the Romans, he reminds all that nothing can separate us from the love God pours out to mankind through Christ. However, the only way we can cut ourselves off from this love that is ever-flowing to us is to block it, to reject it. How can we be given the gift of forgiveness and heaven when we do not accept it? How then can God give us His love, which is true and thus needs to be free, when we freely reject it? If heaven is teeming with this love and sharing it in the fullest, it starts on earth by accepting it. That is why the Christian may go to heaven: because he has faith and opens himself to this love. Anyone can, but they need to make the choice first.

For the Christian it is not narrowminded, as Guenther suggests, but reality. Thus for those that chose to reject this love, or have never heard of it, or die too early it is not for the Christian to judge their fate but for the perfect God to. For the Christian, this is reassuring — we make mistakes, but a God of perfect justice and mercy will not. He will do what is right; however if God’s judgment is right, so too is his word.

William Gould is a University 1 student at the University of Winnipeg.





Volume 94 Issue 13	The Official University of Manitoba Students' Newspaper Website	November 15, 2006

Home About Us Advertise Contact Staff Current Issue PDF Employment Letters to the Editor Meet the Staff Online Archives Personals Volunteer	Font Size Respond Email Print-Friendly A misunderstood love WILLIAM GOULD I live in a culture where I am discriminated against, misunderstood, and often mocked even though I am neither homosexual, nor a visible minority. I am not socioeconomically poor, either. I am a practicing orthodox Christian. Often, I ignore the ignorance of others; bear the insults silently, rarely making any fuss. However, after reading an article published in the Manitoban, I am moved to write a response. The article was written by Tom Guenther. His article centres on the concept of salvation for non-believers of the Christian faith. In other words, do non-Christians go to heaven? Firstly, Guenther admits that he considers himself “respectful of other people’s views on religion, however cynical.” Which is a noble and holy thing; all people deserve respect and to question religion using our Godgiven intelligence. My problem is not with Guenther’s questioning of the Christian faith: if we do not ask the questions, we will never find the answers. On the contrary, my problem is with his prejudice and misunderstanding of the ancient Christian faith, in particular his belittling of it. Guenther refers to the Rev. Franklin Graham, son of the revered Billy Graham, and quotes the former saying “those who do not believe in Christianity face grave consequences.” Although I disagree with Graham on many of his beliefs, I do agree with this statement. It is not a narrow-minded or exclusive statement. As a matter of fact, it is a loving statement. For Graham and any Christian, the reality of hell is ever-present and oft near. It is a belief that our society does not like, as it requires responsibility both for our actions and beliefs. The idea that we are eternally held responsible for our choices. One of those choices is to be a man of faith or not and if Christianity is true and we knowingly reject that truth, man is to be held accountable for it. For Graham to point out that fact at a Christian service is to show concern for his fellow humans and what is best for them: eternal happiness. It is not to condemn them to hell but to love them. Guenther goes on with his article, writing “Now what really bothers me about Christianity is its followers’ belief that only those who believe in Christianity will be saved.” Guenther’s statement is essentially that his pet peeve of Christianity is that what Christianity teaches is correct. I can think of no other single serious religion in the world that does not believe it is correct. Why would you put your faith and your life towards something that taught that it was wrong? I personally would not choose knowingly to live a lie, and I assume neither would Guenther. Guenther, through his next statement raises the question of the salvation of good, non-believing people, claiming Christianity teaches “No matter how nice a person you are, no matter how honest you are throughout your life, ultimately, if you’re not a Christian, you’ll go straight to hell.” I find it very awkward that he is making such a definite statement for such a diverse faith and such a complex question particularly, when he has written of himself that he is “by no means a religious person at all,” and I would dare suggest probably not a theologian either. Guenther raises a complex question to which there are many proposed answers, not the single one he suggests. His conclusion is ignorant of a developed monotheistic faith and belittles centuries of debate, theology, For those that chose to reject this love, or have never heard of it, or die too early, it is not for the Christian to judge their fate but for the perfect God to. and study. As a matter of fact, it is in many ways more narrow-minded and less rationally thought out than the statement he disapproves of. Guenther shifts the focus of his article. After providing armchair theology on Christian doctrine Guenther seeks out the Buddhist faith, and its “Noble Eightfold Path.” It appears he is trying to emphasis the noble life of the practicing Buddhist and esteems many of its noble tenets, as a result, he asks how the Christian may condemn such a person to hell, as I will point out shortly the Christian does not. Buddhism seems to be the refuge for all western young adults who have problems or issues with the teachings of their ancestors’ demanding Christian religion. I believe this is often caused by the demands and expectations of a public Christian faith, a faith that needs to be publicly expressed and lived. There is an essential personal relationship with Christianity, something in many ways unique among religions. As a result, that relationship with Christ urges the Christian to seek out his fellow human beings and bring the Gospel to them. Guenther raises the question of the salvation of people throughout the world who have never heard of Christ’s Gospel. As a result of this concern, Christianity has a rich tradition of missionaries, many of whom were martyred. Still though, the faith may not reach some pagans and some children will die too young. What then in these cases? My faith, the Catholic faith, for example has never in its history confirmed which individuals are in hell. It may raise the danger of fire and brimstone, but it has never ever spoken of surety of who is condemned and who is not. There is an old saying that the streets of hell are paved with the cobblestones of priests and bishops. Judgment is not ours, we as Christians are part of the rescue team trying to help our brothers and sisters, trying to love and care for them; trying to strive together on a journey towards heaven. Christians are not being closed-minded but rather loving, generally caring for the salvation of others — the greatest welfare of all. The Christian believes in a God who is love; a God of infinite mercy, justice, and perfect compassion. A God who became man because he loved and cared for each individual. In St. Paul’s letter to the Romans, he reminds all that nothing can separate us from the love God pours out to mankind through Christ. However, the only way we can cut ourselves off from this love that is ever-flowing to us is to block it, to reject it. How can we be given the gift of forgiveness and heaven when we do not accept it? How then can God give us His love, which is true and thus needs to be free, when we freely reject it? If heaven is teeming with this love and sharing it in the fullest, it starts on earth by accepting it. That is why the Christian may go to heaven: because he has faith and opens himself to this love. Anyone can, but they need to make the choice first. For the Christian it is not narrowminded, as Guenther suggests, but reality. Thus for those that chose to reject this love, or have never heard of it, or die too early it is not for the Christian to judge their fate but for the perfect God to. For the Christian, this is reassuring — we make mistakes, but a God of perfect justice and mercy will not. He will do what is right; however if God’s judgment is right, so too is his word. William Gould is a University 1 student at the University of Winnipeg.


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