Why does god want us in heaven?

For Christians, I have a question for you. When someone dies today, people say that they're now in a better place: in heaven with god where they will remain forever. Now, my question is, if god wants us in heaven, why are we here?

In Genesis, god creates the heavens and the earth, and puts Adam and Eve on earth, not heaven. If gods will was for us to be in heaven with him, wouldn't he of put us in heaven to begin with instead of creating us as humans that can only live on earth? Some may say that things changed after Adam and Eve sinned and Satan came into the picture, but doesn't gods will not change? If gods will was for us to live on earth, then it still is, so why would we go to heaven? And If his will is for us to live in heaven with him, then it still is, but that still leaves the question why we are here first. Can someone enlighten me?

for the lulzJ-WOW

Why do atheists continue to obsess over religion. Some questions just can't be answered.

[QUOTE="J-WOW"]for the lulzcybrcatter

With all the people that of died, god must be getting tired of lulzing :? Then again I guess god doesn't get tired.

Why do atheists continue to obsess over religion. Some questions just can't be answered.

Pirate700

I don't obsess over religion.

So he can show off his Malibu beach house.

Why do atheists continue to obsess over religion. Some questions just can't be answered.

Pirate700

That's true, we won't know until we hopefully reach Heaven. As soon as God created Adam and eve they were given the ability to think for themselves and do as they please, they chose to listen to the Devil and eat the apple. Same applies for us, we are given the ability to do anything we want, believe in God or don't, follow His commandments or don't etc..

Why do atheists continue to obsess over religion. Some questions just can't be answered.

Pirate700

I'm not atheist, I'm agnostic, but these unanswerable questions are why I can't put faith in a religion.

Why do atheists continue to obsess over religion. Some questions just can't be answered.

Pirate700

Some obsess over religion because it deals with some of the most profound issues in the universe. Just because we may not be able to find the answer, doesn't mean we should give up and stop searching.

[QUOTE="Pirate700"]

Why do atheists continue to obsess over religion. Some questions just can't be answered.

I'm not atheist, I'm agnostic, but these unanswerable questions are why I can't put faith in a religion.

[QUOTE="Pirate700"]

Why do atheists continue to obsess over religion. Some questions just can't be answered.

redstorm72

Some obsess over religion because it deals with some of the most profound issues in the universe. Just because we may not be able to find the answer, doesn't mean we should give up and stop searching.

Indeed, and I'd say that atheists have the right to obsess over it, seeing as how they're kind of getting the short end of the stick when they die. =/

For Christians, I have a question for you. When someone dies today, people say that they're now in a better place: in heaven with god where they will remain forever. Now, my question is, if god wants us in heaven, why are we here?

In Genesis, god creates the heavens and the earth, and puts Adam and Eve on earth, not heaven. If gods will was for us to be in heaven with him, wouldn't he of put us in heaven to begin with instead of creating us as humans that can only live on earth? Some may say that things changed after Adam and Eve sinned and Satan came into the picture, but doesn't gods will not change? If gods will was for us to live on earth, then it still is, so why would we go to heaven? And If his will is for us to live in heaven with him, then it still is, but that still leaves the question why we are here first. Can someone enlighten me?

dog64

Maybe because if there was no promise of something better after this life, most people would realize the futility of it all and a kill themselves.

Personally, I'm holding on for the Scrubs reunion television special...

If there is some all powerful being, do you really think anyone here would understand his reasons for doing things? That's like asking a 3 year old to explain Einstein's reasoning behind his theory of relativity.

In short: everything that has happened and will happen is in accordance with his good and perfect will.

In long: Every action God takes is caused out of his characteristic of holiness. This characteristic is the one characteristic in which all of his others might originate, whether it be his goodness, his mercy, or his hatred toward sin. All that has happened within this world from the beginning into eternity expresses this holiness. Everything within this creation, whether it be good or evil is to proclaim that there is a God who is different and greater than ourselves.

There is no one like God, infinite in every attribute. Everything else, everything else in which this infinite God created, is finite and bound to the infinite. In an expression of our inability to equal up to the infinite creator, whether it be by our own choice or by design, we find out we are incapable of equaling the greatness and holiness of God. In our inability, we see God's ability. In our finite lives, we cannot do anything but imagine that there be something greater than ourselves, God himself (unless we rebel against such a thought and think ourselves to be gods ourselves [e.g. Romans 1]).

In our inability, we realize our incapability to be as great, infinite, and holy God. Through this incapability, we realize we must find a savior: God himself through Jesus Christ. Through Jesus Christ we can truly experience the infinite despite our finite and incomplete natures. Through Jesus Christ we can truly experience not only that which is good, but the Author of all things truly good.

Our purpose is not merely to go to heaven but our purpose is to glorify God and show God to be glorious. Sure we can rebel against that purpose, but in our rebellion God will show himself to be glorious despite our refusal to repent and turn toward the Author of all things good. Regardless of whether we live the life God has caused us to live, God in all his glory and power will show himself to us. Some will see his awesome glory, some will see his awful glory.

^ i dont see atheist all killing themselves @_@fl4tlined

They're all holding on for that Scrubs reunion.

Plus I said most people, unfortunately us heathens are in the minority. Most people believe in something, Baal, Zeus, Papa Smurf, you name it.

If there is some all powerful being, do you really think anyone here would understand his reasons for doing things? That's like asking a 3 year old to explain Einstein's reasoning behind his theory of relativity.

sonicare

There are some very intelligent Christians on this board who I'm sure would give a logical answer, even though we may not agree with it. What confuses me even more, though, are those who simply rely on faith alone and what their church tells them and pushes these kinds of questions to the side. If we're able and smart enough to ask ourselves these questions, we should be able to go out and find an answer, and if we don't, then we know somethings amiss.

[QUOTE="sonicare"]

If there is some all powerful being, do you really think anyone here would understand his reasons for doing things? That's like asking a 3 year old to explain Einstein's reasoning behind his theory of relativity.

There are some very intelligent Christians on this board who I'm sure would give a logical answer, even though we may not agree with it. What confused me even more, though, are those who simply rely on faith alone and what their church tells them and pushes these kinds of questions to the side. If we're able and smart enough to ask ourselves these questions, we should be able to go out and find an answer, and if we don't, then we know somethings amiss.

If we're able and smart enough to ask ourselves these questions, we should be able to go out and find an answer, and if we don't, then we know somethings amiss.

dog64

In short: everything that has happened and will happen is in accordance with his good and perfect will.

In long: Every action God takes is caused out of his characteristic of holiness. This characteristic is the one characteristic in which all of his others might originate, whether it be his goodness, his mercy, or his hatred toward sin. All that has happened within this world from the beginning into eternity expresses this holiness. Everything within this creation, whether it be good or evil is to proclaim that there is a God who is different and greater than ourselves.

There is no one like God, infinite in every attribute. Everything else, everything else in which this infinite God created, is finite and bound to the infinite. In an expression of our inability to equal up to the infinite creator, whether it be by our own choice or by design, we find out we are incapable of equaling the greatness and holiness of God. In our inability, we see God's ability. In our finite lives, we cannot do anything but imagine that there be something greater than ourselves, God himself (unless we rebel against such a thought and think ourselves to be gods ourselves [e.g. Romans 1]).

In our inability, we realize our incapability to be as great, infinite, and holy God. Through this incapability, we realize we must find a savior: God himself through Jesus Christ. Through Jesus Christ we can truly experience the infinite despite our finite and incomplete natures. Through Jesus Christ we can truly experience not only that which is good, but the Author of all things truly good.

Our purpose is not merely to go to heaven but our purpose is to glorify God and show God to be glorious. Sure we can rebel against that purpose, but in our rebellion God will show himself to be glorious despite our refusal to repent and turn toward the Author of all things good. Regardless of whether we live the life God has caused us to live, God in all his glory and power will show himself to us. Some will see his awesome glory, some will see his awful glory.

mindstorm

I'm sorry but I don't see how that answers my question, other than we're unable to fully understand god and his glory because we're finite. I understand that, but referring back to my previous post, is it wrong for us to try to search for answers? Because the answer we come up with might not really be the right one, and which answer is the right answer is debatable.

the most freeing thing we can say as humans is "i don't know" as it releases us from any preconceived notions of what the truth can be. once freed from these notions it's much easier to see things for what they are, instead of what we wanted them to be.

why does god want us in heaven? i don't know, i'll find that out later. i'll just enjoy right now for right now.

[QUOTE="dog64"]If we're able and smart enough to ask ourselves these questions, we should be able to go out and find an answer, and if we don't, then we know somethings amiss.

mattbbpl

I'm not expecting a concrete answer, you really can't look for that in a religion thread. It's all a matter of beliefs and opinions. Still, I like to hear others reasonings for these questions.

^ to dog64 -i like to think god had an acid trip and this is its delusional, or perhaps just a self awareness expressing itself through a physical existence.

I've known a few people to have a Near Death Experience.

There is no Heaven or hell. If your consciousness wants to project a reality of utopia they can have whatever heaven they want. If they indulge in fear based thought forms they also can have a form of hell if they like. It's what ever your consciousness projects to be in a higher dense of reality.

[QUOTE="mindstorm"]

In short: everything that has happened and will happen is in accordance with his good and perfect will.

In long: Every action God takes is caused out of his characteristic of holiness. This characteristic is the one characteristic in which all of his others might originate, whether it be his goodness, his mercy, or his hatred toward sin. All that has happened within this world from the beginning into eternity expresses this holiness. Everything within this creation, whether it be good or evil is to proclaim that there is a God who is different and greater than ourselves.

There is no one like God, infinite in every attribute. Everything else, everything else in which this infinite God created, is finite and bound to the infinite. In an expression of our inability to equal up to the infinite creator, whether it be by our own choice or by design, we find out we are incapable of equaling the greatness and holiness of God. In our inability, we see God's ability. In our finite lives, we cannot do anything but imagine that there be something greater than ourselves, God himself (unless we rebel against such a thought and think ourselves to be gods ourselves [e.g. Romans 1]).

In our inability, we realize our incapability to be as great, infinite, and holy God. Through this incapability, we realize we must find a savior: God himself through Jesus Christ. Through Jesus Christ we can truly experience the infinite despite our finite and incomplete natures. Through Jesus Christ we can truly experience not only that which is good, but the Author of all things truly good.

Our purpose is not merely to go to heaven but our purpose is to glorify God and show God to be glorious. Sure we can rebel against that purpose, but in our rebellion God will show himself to be glorious despite our refusal to repent and turn toward the Author of all things good. Regardless of whether we live the life God has caused us to live, God in all his glory and power will show himself to us. Some will see his awesome glory, some will see his awful glory.

dog64

I'm sorry but I don't see how that answers my question, other than we're unable to fully understand god and his glory because we're finite. I understand that, but referring back to my previous post, is it wrong for us to try to search for answers? Because the answer we come up with might not really be the right one, and which answer is the right answer is debatable.

For Christians, I have a question for you. When someone dies today, people say that they're now in a better place: in heaven with god where they will remain forever. Now, my question is, if god wants us in heaven, why are we here?

In Genesis, god creates the heavens and the earth, and puts Adam and Eve on earth, not heaven. If gods will was for us to be in heaven with him, wouldn't he of put us in heaven to begin with instead of creating us as humans that can only live on earth? Some may say that things changed after Adam and Eve sinned and Satan came into the picture, but doesn't gods will not change? If gods will was for us to live on earth, then it still is, so why would we go to heaven? And If his will is for us to live in heaven with him, then it still is, but that still leaves the question why we are here first. Can someone enlighten me?

dog64

Justin Martyr was a Christian of the early church and wrote extensively to the philosophical populous in his day. Within his perspective of philosophy and the search for truth, he believed that if we truly sought truth we would eventually arrive at the person of God rather than any particular ideology. He argued this to be the case because of the Greek word Logos and Jesus' claim to be "the way, the truth, and the life." Within John 1, Jesus is referred to as the Logos, or Word of God. This translation of word is not the only possible explanation but it can also mean logic. Essentially, through this claim that Jesus is the Logos, he is the eventual result of any genuine search for truth. As a result, how can it be that to search for answers would inevitably be wrong? Where one can go wrong is in how one searches for answers. If one merely searches for the belief that one likes or agrees with then the Logos, Jesus, may not be the end result. If one searches for a truth that acts outside of us and in many ways contrary to us, then Jesus is the end result. The search for truth within this perspective is by its very nature to be selfless and less consumed with what we wish to be true. To put this in a cliche and oversimplified statement, all truth is God's truth.mindstorm

Interesting. But why would the answer be totally contrary to what we want? Or, the answer is what we think is wrong? I thought we were all born for the desire for truth and desire for god. Perhaps I'm misunderstanding because I am not worthy :P

he puts us here to determine if we are worthyawesomeray

Worthy of what? To be with him? To live forever, or perhaps even the right to live? I'd think that if god strictly created us just so we can worship him, he would of created us that way, without the ablility to think otherwise. But since we do have that ablility and are able to think on our own, I don't believe that was his intention.

[QUOTE="mindstorm"]Justin Martyr was a Christian of the early church and wrote extensively to the philosophical populous in his day. Within his perspective of philosophy and the search for truth, he believed that if we truly sought truth we would eventually arrive at the person of God rather than any particular ideology. He argued this to be the case because of the Greek word Logos and Jesus' claim to be "the way, the truth, and the life." Within John 1, Jesus is referred to as the Logos, or Word of God. This translation of word is not the only possible explanation but it can also mean logic. Essentially, through this claim that Jesus is the Logos, he is the eventual result of any genuine search for truth. As a result, how can it be that to search for answers would inevitably be wrong? Where one can go wrong is in how one searches for answers. If one merely searches for the belief that one likes or agrees with then the Logos, Jesus, may not be the end result. If one searches for a truth that acts outside of us and in many ways contrary to us, then Jesus is the end result. The search for truth within this perspective is by its very nature to be selfless and less consumed with what we wish to be true. To put this in a cliche and oversimplified statement, all truth is God's truth.dog64

Interesting. But why would the answer be totally contrary to what we want? Or, the answer is what we think is wrong? I thought we were all born for the desire for truth and desire for god. Perhaps I'm misunderstanding because I am not worthy :P

[QUOTE="awesomeray"]he puts us here to determine if we are worthydog64

Worthy of what? To be with him? To live forever, or perhaps even the right to live? I'd think that if god strictly created us just so we can worship him, he would of created us that way, without the ablility to think otherwise. But since we do have that ablility and are able to think on our own, I don't believe that was his intention.

[QUOTE="mindstorm"]Justin Martyr was a Christian of the early church and wrote extensively to the philosophical populous in his day. Within his perspective of philosophy and the search for truth, he believed that if we truly sought truth we would eventually arrive at the person of God rather than any particular ideology. He argued this to be the case because of the Greek word Logos and Jesus' claim to be "the way, the truth, and the life." Within John 1, Jesus is referred to as the Logos, or Word of God. This translation of word is not the only possible explanation but it can also mean logic. Essentially, through this claim that Jesus is the Logos, he is the eventual result of any genuine search for truth. As a result, how can it be that to search for answers would inevitably be wrong? Where one can go wrong is in how one searches for answers. If one merely searches for the belief that one likes or agrees with then the Logos, Jesus, may not be the end result. If one searches for a truth that acts outside of us and in many ways contrary to us, then Jesus is the end result. The search for truth within this perspective is by its very nature to be selfless and less consumed with what we wish to be true. To put this in a cliche and oversimplified statement, all truth is God's truth.dog64

Interesting. But why would the answer be totally contrary to what we want? Or, the answer is what we think is wrong? I thought we were all born for the desire for truth and desire for god. Perhaps I'm misunderstanding because I am not worthy :P

[QUOTE="dog64"]

[QUOTE="mindstorm"]Justin Martyr was a Christian of the early church and wrote extensively to the philosophical populous in his day. Within his perspective of philosophy and the search for truth, he believed that if we truly sought truth we would eventually arrive at the person of God rather than any particular ideology. He argued this to be the case because of the Greek word Logos and Jesus' claim to be "the way, the truth, and the life." Within John 1, Jesus is referred to as the Logos, or Word of God. This translation of word is not the only possible explanation but it can also mean logic. Essentially, through this claim that Jesus is the Logos, he is the eventual result of any genuine search for truth. As a result, how can it be that to search for answers would inevitably be wrong? Where one can go wrong is in how one searches for answers. If one merely searches for the belief that one likes or agrees with then the Logos, Jesus, may not be the end result. If one searches for a truth that acts outside of us and in many ways contrary to us, then Jesus is the end result. The search for truth within this perspective is by its very nature to be selfless and less consumed with what we wish to be true. To put this in a cliche and oversimplified statement, all truth is God's truth.Snipes_2

Interesting. But why would the answer be totally contrary to what we want? Or, the answer is what we think is wrong? I thought we were all born for the desire for truth and desire for god. Perhaps I'm misunderstanding because I am not worthy :P

It is quite simple really, the real reason is because... [This post has been modified at the request of God]

for the lulzJ-WOW

^This is the only reasonable explanation^

because some people havent earned the right, plus god wanted to give us choice, if he wanted us all to be perfection he would not give us free will, he would essentially just make us flesh-made robots.

because some people havent earned the right, plus god wanted to give us choice, if he wanted us all to be perfection he would not give us free will, he would essentially just make us flesh-made robots.

dragonfly110

In short: everything that has happened and will happen is in accordance with his good and perfect will.

In long: Every action God takes is caused out of his characteristic of holiness. This characteristic is the one characteristic in which all of his others might originate, whether it be his goodness, his mercy, or his hatred toward sin. All that has happened within this world from the beginning into eternity expresses this holiness. Everything within this creation, whether it be good or evil is to proclaim that there is a God who is different and greater than ourselves.

mindstorm

I'm about to tell you a story that you probably won't believe, but it's a true story according to the Bible.

God wants us to heaven, because when our souls were created, it was in heaven. All was good. Then, Satan, one powerful angel, wanted to be God and desgined a plan to take the whole universe for himself. Foolish of him to think so, because, nobody is smarter or more powerful than God. Long story short, he kicked him out, and locked him in Hell.

Now here is the "Funny" part. Around 75% of the people sided with satan. And 25% of people sided with the Angels. And instead of wiping out all the souls, God gave us a second chance here on Earth. To get a second chance.

Now as an athiest, you won't believe this, but this is the eternal sould we're talking about. This is it. Enjoy.

because some people havent earned the right, plus god wanted to give us choice, if he wanted us all to be perfection he would not give us free will, he would essentially just make us flesh-made robots.

dragonfly110

I'd rather be made a fleshy robot then given the option of hell.