Warning: The following content may offend some twebbers. Please do not watch any of the linked videos if you are sensitive to disturbing footage.
I have a bit too much time on my hands as of late (thankfully this won't last, amen?). I was therefore watching silly and sad videos. As I watched the following video (1:55 and onward) it got me thinking about the fate of the mentally ill in relation to judgment and eternal dwelling. Is not the commonly accepted view that those who are mentally incapacitated are essentially given a free-pass into the gates of heaven (based on the merits of Christ's work), so to speak despite not knowing anything intelligible about that saving work?
In light of that view, my question would be: What is the cutoff line? Take for example that Chinese lady in the video. I think it might be safe to assume that preaching the gospel to her would be a rather fruitless endeavor -- she's just not quite sufficiently "there". Perhaps you could tell her that God loves her and Jesus died for her, and I imagine her response would entail laughter of sorts. So, what happens with such an individual -- and the many like her -- who are slightly more "gone" and slightly less "gone". Who among them gets that "free pass" and how do we make that determination? It seems if we make provision for some of the mentally ill, that will entail a high degree of subjective reasoning which naturally leads to a slippery slope and opens the door to all sorts of justifications and rationalizations. Also, where would demonic possession and oppression fit in here? Are any of us so bold as to engage in exorcisms when an individual is exhibiting clear signs of demons according to the biblical model demonstrated in this video, for example?
I have a bit too much time on my hands as of late (thankfully this won't last, amen?). I was therefore watching silly and sad videos. As I watched the following video (1:55 and onward) it got me thinking about the fate of the mentally ill in relation to judgment and eternal dwelling. Is not the commonly accepted view that those who are mentally incapacitated are essentially given a free-pass into the gates of heaven (based on the merits of Christ's work), so to speak despite not knowing anything intelligible about that saving work?
In light of that view, my question would be: What is the cutoff line? Take for example that Chinese lady in the video. I think it might be safe to assume that preaching the gospel to her would be a rather fruitless endeavor -- she's just not quite sufficiently "there". Perhaps you could tell her that God loves her and Jesus died for her, and I imagine her response would entail laughter of sorts. So, what happens with such an individual -- and the many like her -- who are slightly more "gone" and slightly less "gone". Who among them gets that "free pass" and how do we make that determination? It seems if we make provision for some of the mentally ill, that will entail a high degree of subjective reasoning which naturally leads to a slippery slope and opens the door to all sorts of justifications and rationalizations. Also, where would demonic possession and oppression fit in here? Are any of us so bold as to engage in exorcisms when an individual is exhibiting clear signs of demons according to the biblical model demonstrated in this video, for example?
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