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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
Universalism is the belief that everyone will be saved. There are many people today who hold to universal salvation and believe that all people eventually end up in heaven. Perhaps it is the though...
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Thaddeus Irvine
Supporter
I believe that Michael is biblically correct. In 1 Corinthians, the whole book is written to the Church; check 1 Corinthians 1:2. The Bible makes clear that Christian Universalism is a heresy.
Nils Jansma
Supporter
In my opinion, when considering this subject, one should distinguish between universalism in general and Christian Universalism (CU). The latter teaches that everyone will eventually come to confess Jesus as Lord. (Philippians 2:9-11) In America, the first CU church was founded in the late 18th century and was called the Universalist Church of America. Since then the original denomination has been generalized and all but disappeared. Though universalism is not taught in the Bible, it nevertheless can be our prayer. God is aware of our suffering and endures it because of the apparent dispute He is having with the Devil. (Job 1:6-11) However, in the OT Law, when pain was inflicted upon a wrong doer, it was limited in scope. We all know the expression, 40 less 1 to indicate that a person in Israel should not be lashed more than 40 strokes. (Deuteronomy 25:3) Again, I want to emphasize that Christian Universalism is not taught in the Bible, but the door is open, in my opinion, that God will somehow make it a fact despite all the evidence to the contrary. After all, He is the father of all our spirits. (Hebrews 12:9)
Myron Baska
Supporter
"Universal reconciliation" is the position that all of mankind will ultimately be saved through Christ whether or not faith is professed in him in this life. While most proponents may adhere to many tenets of traditional Christianity, they uniformly claim that God's qualities of love, goodness, and sovereignty require that all people will ultimately be saved and that eternal punishment is a false doctrine. Salvation is not from hell, but from sin. Advocates of this view take verses such as; 1Timothy 2:6 and 1 John 2:2 literally, explaining that Christ took away sins of the "whole" world such that there remains no basis for condemnation. This is also based on the belief that a loving God would not submit any person, regardless of their sins, to everlasting torment, but would instead reform them. This is a belief held by some protestant denominations. An extension of this, called "strong universalism", holds that no person, even the greatest sinner, is sent to Hell, and therefore Hell does not need to exist. Some proponents do believe that there is a physical, literal Hell in existence, but that Hell is only for the reformation of the sinners. Hell, though real, "will be remedial and corrective rather than just punishment for punishment's sake." It really comes down to "How do you see God". Scripture explains and outlines his nature as a "GOD of Love and is Love" and therefore do you really believe it? For example would a good loving parent provide everlasting punishment... or would they provide corrective punishment for a short term? God's love is greater than any "Good' parent and so He is very misunderstood because of our lowly Human Nature of being able to be misled.
Daniel Veler
Supporter
Which of the three teachings is correct? Some teach that God is love, and that all of humanity will ultimately be saved, regardless of their life choices. Others teach that salvation is possible today, but can be lost tomorrow. The third type of doctrine teaches that once saved, one is always saved. Over the years, I heard people say that God is love and he will save everyone. Those who say such things have been led astray. They believe that you can choose to live your life any way you want, and God will still save you in the end. Then I heard people say you can be saved today and lost tomorrow. They never have the assurance of salvation until they die. This type of thinking keeps you from the joy of knowing you are saved. They have never known or understood the purpose of eternal life. Then I heard people say once saved, always saved. This teaching has led many to their destruction, believing once they are saved, they can live their lives without consequences. It was not until the Lord showed me Psalm 89 that I truly understood why Paul wrote the following. Hebrews 12:7: “If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. I encourage you to read Psalms 89:27-39 and see for yourself.
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