Phelps plans to protest at 9-year-old cub scout's funeral

dave.424 · April 9, 2007

From GernBlansten: "Perhaps our resident theologians can confirm or correct me, but doesn't protestant theology dictate that Phelps actions here on the big blue ball won't affect his pathway upstairs, just his acceptance of Jesus?"

I'm not a theologian, but you are correct that, according to Protestant doctrine, what determines one's salvation (or "pathway upstairs") is a true acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. However, not everyone that professes to be a believer truly is. See the words of Jesus from Matthew 7:15-23 (NIV), courtesy of BibleGateway.com.

15"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

21"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

It is still not the actions that determine one's salvation, but true acceptance. I can't truly know another's heart, but based on his actions, I won't expect to see Mr. Phelps on the other side of the pearly gates. It's always possible, though, that the vilest of people can come to Christ before they die. At that time, their slate is wiped clean by God and they are new person.

Pint · April 9, 2007

Theres been a recent Tv documentary in the UK on BBC2 about the phelps, called "The most hated family in America"

In the documentary, Louis Theroux spent three weeks with the Phelps, one of the most shocking things was how they were invovling their children in their hate fueled protests, and at one point one of the younger kids gets hit by an object thrown at the protesters by a passing car driver.

Theres some infomration about it here

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctwo/noise/?id=louis_theroux

and

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/6507971.stm

As well as the Tv programme apearing on youtube:

part1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hW79eTqskpc&mode=related&search=

part2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NadRQ9fdt7g&mode=related&search=

part3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpeThWSbOxs&mode=related&search=

part4