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There are a great number of well-known people of every religious persuasion that say many things. Being well-known doesn't make what they say true. That evidence is based on what they base their beliefs on.
What is the source for the belief system of Universalist? Where do your teachings, guides, laws, and beliefs come from? Muslims follow the Koran, Mormons follow the Book of Mormon, Christians follow the Bible, etc., Upon what writings do Universalists follow?
Universalists say they follow the Bible. I don't believe they are interpreting it properly.
The ultimate issue is not making an assessment of how it ends, but whether one believes in the gospel of Christ - His death for our sins, and His physical resurrection to new life.
A side issue arises when people say they will reject God if everyone is not saved, and some do in fact go into the lake of fire.
Universalists say they follow the Bible. I don't believe they are interpreting it properly.
The ultimate issue is not making an assessment of how it ends, but whether one believes in the gospel of Christ - His death for our sins, and His physical resurrection to new life.
A side issue arises when people say they will reject God if everyone is not saved, and some do in fact go into the lake of fire.
A lake is a safe harbor, a haven or refuge.
It's not the hell of fundamentalism.
Universalists say they follow the Bible. I don't believe they are interpreting it properly.
The ultimate issue is not making an assessment of how it ends, but whether one believes in the gospel of Christ - His death for our sins, and His physical resurrection to new life.
A side issue arises when people say they will reject God if everyone is not saved, and some do in fact go into the lake of fire.
It is about the proper interpretation of scripture, keeping both the old and new in context.
Some Christians who accept some form of "universalism" think the bible is the word of God. Some of them, who tend toward a more literal view of much of the bible (unless it very obviously was something such as metaphor or visions), refer to themselves as "Evangelical Universalists", I believe, so if you are interested in their understanding, you can google that phrase. They tend to be fairly orthodox in their doctrines.* Other Christians who accept some form of "universalism", who think the bible is the word of God, tend towards a more symbolic view of the Bible. That would be people like L. Ray Smith and J. Preston Eby, I believe. Still other Christians who accept some form of "universalism" think the bible contains things inspired by God, but recognize that it is not inerrant, nor infallible. So, the beliefs about the bible among Christians who accept some form of "universalism" run the gamut, but since they are Christians, they all do lay claim to the bible as a source of truth.
I'm not a Christian. I don't "follow" a book. But I appreciate the wisdom and beauty of the spirit of such a hope, which I believe is consistent with much that is said in the bible:
“I am a convinced universalist. I believe that in the end everyone will be gathered into the love of God. The only victory love can enjoy is the day when its offer of love is answered by the return of love. The only possible final triumph is a universe loved by and in love with God.”
*You may find this helpful:
By William Barclay (well known Bible expositor)
“I am a convinced universalist. I believe that in the end everyone will be gathered into the love of God. The only victory love can enjoy is the day when its offer of love is answered by the return of love. The only possible final triumph is a universe loved by and in love with God.”
[Quoted from William Barclay: A Spiritual Autobiography, William B Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, 1977.]
The writings of several dozens of other "convinced universalists." The Authors Page
Well, I have never been arrested, so I don't see how I could be of bad report. And I have thought on it. What I see is a man offering his opinion with nothing to back it up. This very same man presumably believes that a corpse once came back to life and then flew away. Among other unrealistic beliefs. His opinion is not especially credible I am afraid.
Well, I have never been arrested, so I don't see how I could be of bad report. And I have thought on it. What I see is a man offering his opinion with nothing to back it up. This very same man presumably believes that a corpse once came back to life and then flew away. Among other unrealistic beliefs. His opinion is not especially credible I am afraid.
If you do not believe that a God of love exists (and, I'm fairly sure you do not?), then I would say your stance is completely reasonable and I've got no quibble with it.
For those who do believe that God exists (whether that's a credible or an unrealistic opinion is beside the point in this particular forum, according to the moderators), and that God is love, then a gathering of everyone, without exception, into an awareness and experience of that love, is a logical conclusion.
By William Barclay (well known Bible expositor)
“I am a convinced universalist. I believe that in the end everyone will be gathered into the love of God. The only victory love can enjoy is the day when its offer of love is answered by the return of love. The only possible final triumph is a universe loved by and in love with God.”
[Quoted from William Barclay: A Spiritual Autobiography, William B Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, 1977.]
The writings of several dozens of other "convinced universalists." The Authors Page
By William Barclay (well known Bible expositor)
“I am a convinced universalist. I believe that in the end everyone will be gathered into the love of God. The only victory love can enjoy is the day when its offer of love is answered by the return of love. The only possible final triumph is a universe loved by and in love with God.”
[Quoted from William Barclay: A Spiritual Autobiography, William B Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, 1977.]
The writings of several dozens of other "convinced universalists." The Authors Page
I am convinced that universalism is totally unproven in the Bible. Whatever God plans to do with mankind at the end of the earth age is within His authority. All will bow the knee to God the Father regardless of their location - in heaven, in the lake of fire - it won't matter.
The opinions and convictions of mankind simply will not factor into what God will decide to do.
Interested students of the Word of God will decide if Louis Abbott knows what He is talking about.
AN ANALYTICAL STUDY OF WORDS – LOUIS ABBOTT
In the forward to his book AN ANALYTICAL STUDY OF WORDS, Louis Abbott wrote, “One key area various denominations are divided over is the final destiny of the ungodly, the wicked, the unsaved, the unregenerate, or however one wishes to phrase it.
There are three views on this subject. Each position claims Scriptural support: (1) eternal torment; (2) eternal destruction; and (3) the ultimate salvation of all. It is obvious that all cannot be correct. Two of them have to be wrong.
I pray this book will be a blessing to all who are struggling with this subject.” (unquote)
Notice how Louis proves that numbers one and two are wrong according to the Bible.
This book can be read online at this link
AN ANALYTICAL STUDY OF WORDS An Analytical Study of Words
ENJOY!
Eight interviews with Greek scholar Louis Abbott about his belief that the Bible teaches universal salvation (in eight parts)
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