www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Praying people out of hell

If I think about it long enough it moves me to tears. Maybe it's because I have the spiritual fault of the unforgiving heart if I let myself move in that direction. And the Lord's trying to break me of it.

I'm reminded of the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, who, after being forgiven enough debt that it would ahve taken several lifetimes to repay refused to forgive a fellow who owed him about a month's wages worth.

For me, i recognize that Roman Catholicism has had a tendency to have a rather negative view towards the possibility of salvation, where it is rather common to hear a focus that many will not be saved. That can have a psychological effect on a person so that they are concentrating less on relying upon God's mercy and God's grace, and focusing more on a legalistic view of making sure they have counted all their sins so they can make a good confession.
Any prayer that recognizes our sinful ways, but rejoices in the real hope of God's mercy is very uplifting for me.

Slava Isusu Khrestu

Hello Theophan

What you say makes so much sense to me that I am really shaken to tears. I was taught in the Catholic school system of Ontario(Canada)by nus! and it makes me think of a joke that was told to me several years ago that to a degree has truth and I can see from whence you and I come:

A Jewish person, a Roman Catholic and a Protestant were discussing guilt and the Jewish person said," Our people are born with guilt" the Catholic said." our Catholics are taught guilt" and the Protestant said, " What is guilt?"

So may come by this confussion very easily

Unworthy

Kolya ( I was taught in the 40's and 50's....that should you tell you about me to a degree.

PS I pushed the wrong button here and only half of what I typed is here!

Is it possible that our beliefs about God reflect our own internalized notions?

If we ourselves are stingy, then maybe we're gonna think God is, too.

I don't believe in a stingy God but rather in a generous and even indulgent God. Therefore I suspect most souls go to heaven (maybe not immediately after death) but rather after a perhaps long period of post-death purification; and that very few souls go to hell. The only creatures we know for sure are in hell are the fallen angels.

I am aware that several Bible verses and intelligent passages from esteemed theologians and saints can be quoted to contradict my views. It's important for me to be as optimistic as possible...