Ever since the big 'Love Wins' controversy I have been studying and pondering universalism, and I have been surprised in my findings. The doctrine of UR (universal reconciliation) seems to me to be just as, if not more, biblical than Calvinism and Arminianism. It has tons of scriptural and historical support, it solves many of the problems we run into with Cal and Arm (ie. Did Jesus die for everybody or just a few?), and it has the strongest view of divine love, most powerful narrative of God's victory over evil, lifts the atoning efficacy of the cross of Christ to the greatest heights, triumphs grace over sin, and inspires worship and hope. It doesn't do away with God's wrath but presents it as restorative rather than merely punitive. It is truly glad tidings of great joy for all people, yet why do we say it's heretical?

I myself am still exploring and discovering, so I do not consider myself a universalism, but am interested in discussing it with my brothers and sisters on SI. Please share your thoughts and be open and honest

Universalism is a doctrine that is not clearly taught in Scripture at all. It is not some happy medium to settle the Calvinism and Arminian debates. It in no way belongs to any branch of Christianity that might claim to adhere to orthodoxy. The Scriptures clearly paint a picture of an eternal place called hell, where there is no relief from the torment of everlasting fire. It is heretical because it betrays a drastic misunderstanding of the holiness, love, and justice of God. And with a fuzzy understanding of these concepts, it completely ignores the clear, emphatic, and often repeated doctrine of the everlasting punishment of the wicked.

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Jimmy H

No one person spoke more about Satan and Hell than Jesus Christ. One thing you will find out about Universalists is that many if not all also subscribe to the notion that Satan is not a spiritual being. They have to do this in order to make their "Universalism" work.

Why? Because God made us as choosing beings and we derive our spiritual character, behaviour and identity from one of two sources. God or Satan. One cannot create their own spiritual identity as New Agers believe. Atheists believe you can have your own identity apart from a "so-called" God and Satan. This is the lie from of old that "you can be as gods." One must derive their spiritual identity, behaviour and character from a person.

So, on one hand, you cannot say that we derive our spiritual character (as choosing creatures) from God, but then if we do evil then it is just because we chose NOT God. Not true! We chose Satan. You cannot even derive your character and identity from the absence of good. Because that would mean that you created evil and we humans cannot create something that does not exist. Evil does exist and it exists in the person of Satan. When you choose Evil, you are choosing to align yourself with Satan. Plain and simple.

Universalists don't like the fact that Satan exists because then they would have the added burden of proving that God's universal reconciliation will work even for those who choose Satan as their image of character and behaviour. It becomes more difficult for them to say that God will save all mankind even those who choose to derive their character and behaviour and spiritual identity from the one that WILL be in the Lake of Fire.

Jesus said, "You are of your Father the Devil".

So, we either eat of the Tree of Life (abide in Christ) or we eat of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil (abide in Satan) and we will grow the particular fruit from each tree.

Universalism ignores the existence of Hell for all those who align themselves with Satan because they ignore the existence of Satan.

There are several kinds of Universalism and you will find these beliefs in New Age religions, Wicca and various forms of the Occult. They will say that Satan and God share an equal dualism but they don't (Satan is meant to be overcome and we are instructed to overcome evil with good) and that Satan will eventually be saved, too. Other beliefs say that God knows Good and Evil and that Satan is part of Him. But the Bible says there is no evil in God at all. And that when we are tempted we should not say we are tempted of God because He cannot tempt anyone. There are so many various beliefs concerning Universalism that it borders on confusion and I would say it is pure confusion.

Satan's lie to Eve was that God was lying to them and that they would be like Him knowing good and evil. The lie was that they would be like God. But God does not know evil experientally like Adam and Eve were about to know it. God knows Evil by virtue of the fact that it is contrary to His nature. Anything that is contrary to God's nature is Evil. God does not want us to know the difference between good and evil by experiencing evil. Anyway, I digress.

Universalism or Ultimate Reconciliation has been making inroads more and more into mainstream Christianity and it is driven by major changes in our culture (political correctness, don't judge people) to bring the Church into slumber. Afterall, if God has saved us all regardless of how we live, why should we preach Christ or live holy lives? Of course, it is really driven and propagated from the bowels of Hell by Satan himself.

Ask yourself this question:

Do you think God will countenance another rebellion in heaven? Heaven is for those who choose Christ and not Satan. Yes, the world will say that Jesus is very narrowminded. That is true from the world's perspective. When it comes to evil, Jesus is very narrowminded and Satan is very broadminded. Jesus made no apologies in His earthly ministry.

Remember that God created us with only two choices, not three, not four. Good and Evil, Life or Death, Blessing or Cursing, God or Satan, Heaven or Hell.

Pilgrim

KingJimmy,

Thank you for your response. However, I would like to ask if you have ever given universal reconciliation any serious thought? It seems to me that once I removed the 'lens' of doctrinal tradition that I've been taught all my life and just simply read the scriptures, that ETC (eternal concious torment) is not as clearly taught as I thought. Aside from parables and apocalyptic language (revelation) there is not really much evidence for it. In fact the silence of the scriptures on the subject is astounding considering what a terrible fate that would be for one of God's creatures! Why would God not have warned Adam of an eternity of torture for his sin? That , I think, would've been worth mentioning. The OT hints much more at either annihilation or UR than ETC. Also, UR seems to be much more clearly taught in the NT than people like to give credit for (1tim 2:3-6, 1john 2:2,1tim. 4:10, col. 1:19-20... many more).

Also I don't think its just a happy medium between cal and arm, but perhaps the actual solution to the dilemma. That maybe it doesn't make fuzzy the holiness, love and justice of God, but reveals the nature of His atributes so much more clearly! That He truly does love all people, desires to save them, and wont relent until He accomplishes His purpose. Just some thoughts.

Pilgrim, I am on my phone at the time. When I get to a computer I will respond to your comment thanks.

Edit: for clarity (phone auto corrected)

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Jimmy H

Okay, finally to a computer!

bro-willy. Respectfully, you are stretching the scriptures pretty severely to get where you are.

Respectfully again... This is what a lot of the cults (JW, LDS, etc...) do. They take parts of scripture and try to twist them into what they want them to say.


My friend. I do have to ask you to please, please, please pray on this. There are eternal consequences for actions. If maybe one "little one" can stumble from reading what you write, what scriptual fate awaits you?

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Christiaan

Pilgrim,

Christian Universalism, Evangelical Universalism or whatever you want to call it, does not deny the reality of Satan or Hell. It is the belief that Satan may have deceived man, but he will NOT have the ultimate victory, because God will eventually, THROUGH CHRIST, reconcile His entire creation back to Himself and restore it to His good pleasure (Colossians 1:15-20).

Hi bro_willy,

Do you believe Satan is a spiritual being?

Do you believe that we are either conformed to the image of Christ or the image of Satan?

How are those that are conformed to the image of Satan and die in that image/condition then become regenerated spiritually after they are dead and become part of the family of the redeemed? Where is that teaching?

Thanks,
Pilgrim

The Bible says, "It is appointed unto man once to die and then the judgement". Heb 9:27

Heb 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Please note that Heb 9:28 says "UNTO THEM THAT LOOK FOR HIM".

bro-willy, not all men do look unto Him. Most reject Him.

Jesus Christ and eternal life are synonymous terms so if you reject Jesus Christ you reject eternal life. If you are not possessing eternal life right now (Jesus Christ) then you won't magically get it after you die. Eternal Life is SOMEONE you apprehend in this life with your own two feet on the ground. The dying and the giving is the Lord's but the receiving must be done by us.

Jesus waits to be RECEIVED and does not force Himself on men.
John 5:43 I am come in my Father's name, AND YE RECEIVE ME NOT: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

Would you deny the fact that many men reject Jesus Christ?