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WBC and predestination

radcen

radcen

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WBC and predestination

I'm currently reading a book by a former member of the WBC (Westboro Baptist Church [Fred Phelps, et al]). The person points out that one of their core beliefs is predestination, the idea that your salvation is chosen by God, and if you're not chosen, you're screwed and there's nothing you can do about it. I would phrase their viewpoint as "absolute predestination", but I digress.

Anyway, if this is their belief, then the question that keeps popping into my head as I read this book is, "Why bother picketing?". You've clearly declared that the 'unchosen' are unsaveable, so what's your point? What do you hope to accomplish? It really comes off as just rubbing it (their own salvation) in other's faces.

Discuss.
 
I'm pretty sure they believe that God is using them to bring about the salvation of others, which may be predestined to occur as such.
 
ecofarm said:
I'm pretty sure they believe that God is using them to bring about the salvation of others, which may be predestined to occur as such.
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That's how I think of predestination (though I don't fully buy into predestination to begin with).
 
radcen said:
That's how I think of predestination (though I don't fully buy into predestination to begin with).
Click to expand...

I don't buy the predestination thing. I'm just saying that the existence of predestination does not mean that everything is as it will be. Predestination still allows for a future, in which others will be saved, according to God's will. It is not inconsistent for the WBC to believe that they are a tool of God and predestined to bring help bring salvation to others.
 
radcen said:
WBC and predestination

I'm currently reading a book by a former member of the WBC (Westboro Baptist Church [Fred Phelps, et al]). The person points out that one of their core beliefs is predestination, the idea that your salvation is chosen by God, and if you're not chosen, you're screwed and there's nothing you can do about it. I would phrase their viewpoint as "absolute predestination", but I digress.

Anyway, if this is their belief, then the question that keeps popping into my head as I read this book is, "Why bother picketing?". You've clearly declared that the 'unchosen' are unsaveable, so what's your point? What do you hope to accomplish? It really comes off as just rubbing it (their own salvation) in other's faces.

Discuss.
Click to expand...

I have to disagree with them.

By faith, I was saved by the death of Jesus for my sins.

If they don't believe that Jesus died for our sins,

and all can be saved by accepting Jesus as Lord & savior,

then they aren't truly christian.

Course with their actions we already knew that to be the case!:twocents:
 
ecofarm said:
I don't buy the predestination thing. I'm just saying that the existence of predestination does not mean that everything is as it will be. Predestination still allows for a future, in which others will be saved, according to God's will. It is not inconsistent for the WBC to believe that they are a tool of God and predestined to bring help bring salvation to others.
Click to expand...
You and I are thinking alike, but that's not the gist I get from the book regarding the Phelps' interpretations.

Here's the book, btw: Banished: Surviving My Years in the Westboro Baptist Church: Lauren Drain, Lisa Pulitzer: 9781455512423: Amazon.com: Books
 
I believe in a concept of predestination to a certain extent, but if predestination actually exists, then it would take no exertion or force on the part of anyone else, in order for a natural order of things to occur. These people are nuts who think they are doing God's will, or helping things happen, according to the will of God, when God's will, if there really is any such thing, happens regardless of the actions of idiots and assholes.
 
radcen said:
I would phrase their viewpoint as "absolute predestination", but I digress.
Click to expand...
Not the phase I'd use but I don't want to get banned. :D

radcen said:
Anyway, if this is their belief, then the question that keeps popping into my head as I read this book is, "Why bother picketing?".
Click to expand...
For the core rather than the followers and indoctrinated children, I suspect it's not unlike an addiction. They get some form of psychological buzz from the experience that makes then both want and need to do it again.

I've seen interviewers try to get a rational explanation for how they act and they appear incapable of giving one (tending to lead to embarrassment, anger or evasion).
 
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