Question for evangelical Christians or those who know about them. Help!

[Weetabecks]

Bit long so as not to drip feed. I've had a really shit couple of years: bereavement, got divorced, downsized properties, physical and mental health problems (severe in both cases). Have been on and off friends/ acquaintance with a lady from when our DSons where in primary (they are now in a much bigger secondary and have drifted apart, amicably though, not fallen out). Friend invited me and some others to an Alpha style course which I attended (am into spirituality, "woo", meaning of life, etc but not really religious myself). Then we had a few Zooms like a pub quiz etc. Over lockdown. Which weren't especially religious just social. We went for a few walks. Then she invited me to a weekly prayer meeting. I said I couldn't go because of the day of the week; I always meet my school friends on this day (Zoom during pandemic and now irl again which is lovely). We have been doing this for years, it is non-negotiable and has been a source of support for me. I was kind of glad I had an excuse to avoid the prayer meeting 😳 However. Now there is a new prayer meeting on a different day of the week and friend has told me that she thought of me when she heard about the new session and might I want to come along? I just don't really want to. I am not sure if the new prayer meeting is because of me?? It is quite a small church compared to others i think.
I guess I just want to know whether my friend is actually that concerned about my immortal soul? (Maybe she isn't worried about it at all, I don't know?)
It isn't a Mormon or Jehovah's church, it is a Evangelical Christian one. So if you're Evangelical how would you feel about your friend politely declining your group? To what extent would you pursue someone who has showed a bit of interest in your faith? I feel a little bit like everyone at the Church is showing a bit too much interest in me. Has anyone else been in a similar situation? What did you do? I am absolutely hopeless at confruntation, and I don't want to hurt my friend's feelings but at the same time I don't know if she is actually my "friend" or just someone who thought they could "save" me. (Plus, if I am honest, I am very lonely as aside from my own school friends I don't really have any other friends, I am still single and not ready for a new relationship yet). We have had other mutual friends through school over the years who are Muslim, Jewish and atheist (very atheist if that makes sense) and as far as I know she hasn't ever invited them to this much Church stuff.

Tldr: i want to know my Evangelical Christian friend's motives and how to proceed

@CathyorClaire

the site you link to is hardly casting an independent eye on the Gospels

It doesn't need to. I was answering the point I quoted.

It is very literal in its approach, assuming that the gospels are a verbatim account of what Jesus did and said

As happens in every church up and down the land

In fact, the Gospels were written by different people with different agendas, not even at the same time (and all significantly after Jesus' death). . .and they have been translated, re-translated, interpreted every which way, ever since
To approach them all as if they are a literal account with no agenda on the part of the writers is simplistic and naive

I know. Try telling it to the believers.

I no longer waste my time. If someone is utterly focussed on accepting so many absurdities, so much double-think, they can get on with it.

Unless they are causing harm to others which is when we should all step in, if we can.

Oops grin fail 🙂

[quote CathyorClaire]The Bible consist of many different books. There are many contradictory things in it

Which makes it super convenient for picking and choosing the bits that play well when it comes to making disciples. Being selective works both ways.

I don't think Jesus according to any of the 4 Gospels in the New Testament, says anything about unbelievers spending eternity in hell

reasonsforhopejesus.com/jesus-say-hell/[/quote]
That link is nuts:

Hell is a Real Place

It’s a real place that we don’t want anyone to go to. The reality of Hell should encourage us to share the gospel of saving grace will all people. Only by coming to Jesus in faith, and trusting in His finished work on the cross to pay for one’s sins, can anyone escape the dangers of Hell. Tell people about the gracious forgiveness of sins that Jesus offers them and the new and eternal life that He desires to give to them.

When you can’t share the gospel with your words, share it by leaving tracts that tell people about God’s grace.

By the power of the Holy Spirit, even a small tract can help in turning a broken, sinful person from darkness to light

I appreciate that 'spreading the gospel' is in many cases well-intentioned, but it requires a real arrogance and tunnel vision to think that you need to pass on your fear of an afterlife you believe in, and
your personal mental gymnastics about a doctrine which manages to combine an all-merciful, all-powerful God, the threat of hellfire, and the arbitrary requirement of this supposedly merciful and omnipotent deity for you to do specific things before you're saved from said hellfire, not to mention arbitrarily sacrificing his son in a sort of arcane plea bargain.

I don't mean you, @CathyorClaire, I mean the 'you' this kind of thing is aimed at.

@CathyorClaire there are also dozens of verses in the bible that support the idea of universal salvation. There is plenty of writing on it. I am not alone as a Christian in believing in universal salvation. I would think the majority of people in my (evangelical) church believe in universal salvation. My church also supports gay marriage. There are lots of different types of churches.

[quote 3WildOnes]@CathyorClaire there are also dozens of verses in the bible that support the idea of universal salvation. There is plenty of writing on it. I am not alone as a Christian in believing in universal salvation. I would think the majority of people in my (evangelical) church believe in universal salvation. My church also supports gay marriage. There are lots of different types of churches.[/quote]
I am not alone as a Christian in believing in universal salvation. I would think the majority of people in my (evangelical) church believe in universal salvation.

So the premise is that a just and loving God won't ultimately condemn even the wayward to the fiery pit?

This being the same God who is jealous, wrathful and vengeful to those who don't fall into line on an escalating basis to the point of genocide?

My take on it is that God is jealous, wrathful and vengeful toward anyone/thing that hurts/harms anyone they love. That would be everybody.