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

[JohnDB]

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

- Is there any value whatsoever to Christianity if there is no afterlife?
- If there is an afterlife, how would God treat those who became Christians only out of fear of eternal consequences?

[

Would you love a woman that was mostly just ugly in every sense of the word except she brought you a delicious dinner every day?
I mean she is rude, hostile, disfigured, unkempt and just generally unpleasant....but....she brings you a delicious meal consistently?

Same thing here.

 

[Bob]

A similar poll appeared on another forum.
I was shocked at the vast majority who said if there was no afterlife they would not follow Jesus.

This time, no one voted. Is there no value in a relationship with Jesus in the here and now?
(Even if there was no afterlife) ???

[

Thank you for the addition.

The result you found mostly saddens me. To be cynical, it could be interpreted to say that without a reward, they won’t obey. On the other hand there are those who say that the two (the afterlife and Jesus must be the Christ) are inseparable.

Peace be with you, good Christian.

 

[ChristinaL]

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

- Is there any value whatsoever to Christianity if there is no afterlife?
- If there is an afterlife, how would God treat those who became Christians only out of fear of eternal consequences?

[

I picked other because since there is no doubt there is an afterlife the question is really irrelevant. I never waste energy thinking about the "what-if's"

 

[St. SteVen]

I picked other because since there is no doubt there is an afterlife the question is really irrelevant. I never waste energy thinking about the "what-if's"

How do you know without a doubt that there is an afterlife?

The question is:

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

Or, is there value in a relationship with Christ in the here and now?
Regardless of an afterlife.

Or, are you only a Christian due to fear of afterlife consequences?

[

 

[ChristinaL]

How do you know without a doubt that there is an afterlife?

The question is:

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

Or, is there value in a relationship with Christ in the here and now?
Regardless of an afterlife.

Or, are you only a Christian due to fear of afterlife consequences?

[

Because the bible, which is the inerrant word of God, not men, says there is. Duh

 

[Debp]

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

- Is there any value whatsoever to Christianity if there is no afterlife?

Yes, I would still be a Christian. To me, it's a life of peace. Peace in daily life, and even peace when trials come.

 

[Rockerduck]

I said other because God chose me, I didn't choose Him. Afterwards Jesus said I'd live forever with Him.

 

[St. SteVen]

Because the bible, which is the inerrant word of God, not men, says there is. Duh

LOL
None of that is evidence of an afterlife.
You believe those things by faith, correct?

[

 

[St. SteVen]

I said other because God chose me, I didn't choose Him. Afterwards Jesus said I'd live forever with Him.

How does that differ from:
- Yes. It doesn't matter if there is no afterlife. ???

If God chose you, it doesn't matter, right?

[

 

[Lambano]

Two views from St. Paul. I've known Christians who subscribe to each view. Which are you? Maybe both?

 

[PGS11]

I will go with whats the point you wouldn't know what Christianity is if it didn't exist and there is no salvation so why would you.What would be the purpose there is no sin if there is no God just human ethics.There would be no Jesus and with no Jesus there is no Christianity

 

[St. SteVen]

Two views from St. Paul. I've known Christians who subscribe to each view. Which are you? Maybe both?

Yes.
Which one is "unbiblical"? - LOL

(the one they don't prefer)

[

 

[St. SteVen]

I will go with whats the point you wouldn't know what Christianity is if it didn't exist and there is no salvation so why would you.What would be the purpose there is no sin if there is no God just human ethics.There would be no Jesus and with no Jesus there is no Christianity

That's not the question.

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

Or, is there no value in a relationship with Jesus in the here and now?
Is it only valuable if there is an afterlife.

[

 

[PGS11]

I think I did answer the question there would be no Jesus there is no sense in it hes a nobody without eternal life and he has no one to save... There would of been no reason for him.So without him there is no faith.I would follow human ethics so I don't end up in jail but i would be much more selfish and self centered because I am completely unaccountable for this life other than if i get caught then I would be punished in the construct we have created.You can't have Christianity without eternal life it makes no sense.I wouldn't even know of Jesus or the word of God.My point is there is absolutely no reason for it if everyone believed in no after life there is nothing to work for.. Is it like Santa Claus or the Easter bunny I'm just play along knowing it all false.There would be no word of God to go by.It sound insane to me what is the point.The question makes no sense.

 

[Bruce-Leiter]

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

- Is there any value whatsoever to Christianity if there is no afterlife?
- If there is an afterlife, how would God treat those who became Christians only out of fear of eternal consequences?

[

Respectfully, you present a false choice. Since God promises and demonstrates to us in the Bible that there is an afterlife, it's part of being a Christian. Do I believe because there is an afterlife with rewards? No, because that would be "works" righteousness, which won't enable me to get there. Only Jesus' death and resurrection win that victory for me.

 

[St. SteVen]

Respectfully, you present a false choice. Since God promises and demonstrates to us in the Bible that there is an afterlife, it's part of being a Christian. Do I believe because there is an afterlife with rewards? No, because that would be "works" righteousness, which won't enable me to get there. Only Jesus' death and resurrection win that victory for me.

Not a false choice. You made the correct statement. IMHO
Are there not many who would live live as if there was no God if there were no consequences in the afterlife?

[

 

[wooddog]

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

- Is there any value whatsoever to Christianity if there is no afterlife?
- If there is an afterlife, how would God treat those who became Christians only out of fear of eternal consequences?

[

I would be a Jew if there was no Christ.

 

[St. SteVen]

I would be a Jew if there was no Christ.

That's an interesting response.
The question was whether you would be a Christian if there was no afterlife.

No afterlife doesn't preclude a Christ, just an afterlife.

But you are responding to something here.
I guess if there was no Christ, that would be a way to God.

[

 

[St. SteVen]

New topic.

Should you force your children to attend church against their will?

[

 

[Bob]

I would be a Jew if there was no Christ.

Thanks for the response.

It sounds like an obvious conclusion, but would you also embrace the various holidays, culture, etc.? Would you abandon all of the New Testament?

By the way, Sikhs are also monotheistic, but again, you might not find their culture convivial.

Peace.