Here are the verses I find most often used by those who believe in Universal Reconciliation (the belief that eventually everyone will 'make heaven'
1. God is love (1 John 4:8)
They argue that a God who IS love could never allow for 'eternal torment'
2. God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:3b-4)
They argue that God ultimately gets what He wants
3. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. (Col 1:19-20)
They argue that all means all
4. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. (Ephesians 1:9-10)
See above
5. But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself. (John 12:32)
See above
6. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:2)
Whole means whole
7. That we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.
(1 Timothy 4:10)
All means all
8. Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. (Romans 5:18-19)
Direct correspondance. All humans are sinners via Adam, so all humans are saved via Jesus
9. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)
How could God be considered 'greater' if only a few find the gate?
10. Every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God (Romans 14:11)
Every means every
How would you respond to their usage of these verses?
4 comments:
I don't really try to argue with universalists, so I don't know.
I do think it's funny that they are using the same "is means is" arguments that fundementalists use to argue in favor of hell.
It really comes down to what verses you are going to pay attention too and which ones you aren't.
First, I want to distinguish b/w universalists in the general sense and 'Christian' universalists. The former think all roads lead to heaven. The latter think everyone will eventually come to Jesus who is the only way to heaven. I think this is a significant difference.
Second, I agree that it is funny that they use the same wooden literal principle as the eternal torment crowd.
Third, I think it is interesting to line up the top arguments for each view, observe how oppenents counterpoint, and then determine which view stands up the best through scrutiny.
So, for me, it's not a matter of ignoring certain verses, but figuring out the best way to understand all the verses.
"So, for me, it's not a matter of ignoring certain verses, but figuring out the best way to understand all the verses."
It might just me me- but if you do that you don't fall into either the universalist or eternal torment catagories.
I agree :)
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