Quote:
Originally Posted by thrillobyte
Rodger, I know you mentioned somewhere in your bio that you suffered a mental breakdown for seven years or so over worrying about the eternal damnation of your soul. It seems that this traumatic event in your life most probably explains the single-minded pursuit you've engaged yourself in attempting to bring universalism to all who would listen--1400+ posts on one topic--I've never seen such zeal demonstrated by any member on any board, let alone this board. I'm curious and I have no ax to grind one way or the other because I've divorced myself completely on the debate of which is right, but do you ever worry that in the event it turns out in eternity that you were on the wrong side that you would be responsible for the damnation of hundreds, possibly thousands of souls who listened to you in this rather "long' thread? That teachers of doctrine will be held to a much higher standard of judgment by God than ordinary Christians would stop me dead in my tracks with fear. No offense intended, believe me, but have you explored the possibility that you're still suffering from the effects of the breakdown and this has led you on this extreme one-man effort to bring universalism to every living Christian out of a sense of revenge against the doctrine that hurt you so much? It's worth checking out. Very deep stuff, especially when you've had a mental breakdown as a result of a particular dogma.
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My response to your threat of future judgment for me can best be expressed by the response by A.E. Knoch who probably was the best known Christian Biblical Universalist of the last century to a similar threat.
A critic said "Mr. Knoch and his colleagues will yet have to answer to God for so defiantly opposing the plain teachings of God's holy word."
In reply A.E. Knoch wrote:
"Let me assure our brother, beloved by the Lord, that we fully expect to answer to God for all our acts, and will rejoice to see all that is not of God destroyed by the fiery test of that day. But such threats do not alarm us in the least. We know a God of transcendent grace. It is only natural for one who thinks Him capable of tormenting His own creatures eternally, to seek to follow His example, and torture His servants here and now. Indeed, it would be strange if it were not so.
The character of the God you worship will determine your ways and your words. We trust it will be so with us also, for we would delight to be like Him. Hence, we do not threaten you with His wrath, but commend you to His grace.
Perhaps no sin can be so great as to distort His words and defame His character. But His grace is superbly sufficient, His love is lavish in its long-suffering. It never lapses, but looks longingly for the reconciliation which is the justification and crown of all His ways with His creatures.
So, as we close with the absolute certainty of a reconciliation between us, we anticipate it on our part and throw all enmity aside. We are conciliated no matter what you do. We recall with joy and satisfaction the great truth that, by God's grace, it is impossible for you to enter into condemnation, no matter how much you may offend Him (Rom.8:1) and the still greater truth that we are saved for grace (Eph.2:8).
While your words and ways have seemed to us to be offensively unlike His, this only gives greater ground for grace. This of itself justifies them, for grace must have a foil.
We close, then, with a prayer for such an outpouring of His grace on your own head as will force you to feel the affection which is found in Him for all the creatures of His hand and heart." A.E. Knoch
What if we universal reconciliationists are wrong?
SEVERAL GOOD ANSWERS
http://www.tentmaker.org/books/asw/Appendix5.html
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The Glory Road
"How Can you Be Right and the Whole Church Be Wrong?"
absolute assurance in jesus christ
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What if we universal reconciliationists are wrong?
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