Last Friday many persons across the world waited to see if the predictions of Harold Camping and the members of his denomination would come true i.e. the beginning of the end of the world with the Rapture (the ascending of God's chosen people to Heaven) on May 21. Persons in every quarter gave their own take on the supposed prediction. On watching the news, I saw reports of persons trying to secure "emergency" baptisms in order to ensure their chances of going to Heaven.
One of Camping's followers, Michael Lewis appeared on the Jamaican programme "Religious Hardtalk" to speak about the prediction. There was one particular belief of the group which I found interesting- that of predestination. Predestination is the doctrine that all events have been willed by God. John Calvin interpreted predestination to mean that God foreordained salvation for His elect church and foreordained eternal damnation for all those who aren't elect. So pretty much, if God hadn't chose you from the beginning there is very little you could do to ensure this would happen. This particular argument of Mr. Lewis, peaked my interest; which is where the first part of the title of this post comes in.
Recently, I had the pleasure of reading Anthony Winkler's "The Duppy" (pictured above). The book (which I'm sure has been described as blasphemous in some circles) took a rather unorthodox view of the afterlife- there was no Hell, only Heaven. The protagonist, Baps, after having died and gone to heaven became very good friends with God and through this relationship made several realizations about life (no pun intended, really). In Baps' view "old negar" (a term used to describe uncouth Jamaicans) should never be allowed into Heaven. But after a number of occurrences/adventures, God revealed to Baps why there was no Hell. God told Baps that he could not bear for any of his children to feel pain because as they hurt, He too would also hurt.
Now I won't for a minute pretend to be a theological scholar or dismiss the premises of the Bible. I do however, being an idealist, agree with what I perceive to be the thinking behind Winkler's interpretation of God's treatment of His children.
My humble opinion? He gives everyone a choice and the outcome of a person's life is not determined as a result of predestination. So while I do not claim that Winkler's interpretation of Heaven is correct (because we'll never know until that time comes) the message behind the story is what I will apply to these last few days; God like any good parent wants the best for His children and through life lessons and the provision of choice seeks to ensure that we make the best determination for our own life............and afterlife.
Peace and love.
xoxo
Keeta :)
This book sounds really interesting!
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