Year Four
Since I’m oh so fond of linking, perhaps this would be a good time to review: years I, II, III.
My, that was considerably more depressing than I had expected. Apparently I’ve been going backwards this whole time. At least this year was more interesting than last. By far.
Yesterday a friend and I were wandering through the local farmers market when we passed a fellow standing on a footstool, Bible in hand, shouting to people that they were going to Hell if they did not repent. I instinctively labeled this man as a nutcase. But wait, is this not what I too believe?
As a matter of fact, it is not. I do not believe in Hell. Nor do I believe in Heaven. I do not believe in an afterlife at all. I do not believe that my mother has gone to another place… she is just gone, never to be seen again by me or anyone else.
That being the case, the consequences of sin and the matter of a savior remain merely academic questions. Therein lies the difficulty.
For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins…
If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.
— 1 Cor 16, 17, 19