« on: February 17, 2018, 07:06:57 PM »
“Webster’s Dictionary defines “universalism” as the doctrine that all people will eventually be saved. It does not, however, say how universal salvation will be accomplished, whether there is a theological basis for it or it is only wishful thinking by people who are too tender hearted to believe God is so hard hearted as to torment—slow roast alive—people in hell fire forever. The purpose of this group is to explain that, in fact, there is a theological and Biblical basis for belief in the salvation of all people and to give a platform for those who believe in universalism to share their perspective.
As a graduate of an Evangelical seminary and diligent student of the Greek New Testament, I contend that as surely as the grass is green, the sky is blue, God is in heaven, and Christ is Lord, Jesus taught universal salvation. The apostles preached it, and the early church believed it for the first 500 hundred years of church history. So when believers in eternal conscious torment (ECT) in hell contend that the TRADITIONAL doctrine of the Christian Church is ECT, I concede that has been true for the last 1,500 years. But Christian Universalism is the ORIGINAL truth taught by the Lord Jesus Christ.
By carefully studying comparative religions, I have discovered that when fire is understood to purify, rather than torment sinners forever, all major religions and various minor ones teach universal salvation. But I have also discovered that those who believe in universalism, whether Christians or adherents of other religions, disagree on almost every other doctrine.
I have stated in my book, “Christianity Without Insanity,” that universal understanding of universal salvation will eventually bring about universal peace—swords into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks—weapons of war recycled into implements of agriculture (Isaiah 2:4)! Thus, let us focus on the most important issue and agree to disagree agreeably on nonessential issues.
Fear-based religion has been and still is the most divisive and destructive force in the history of the world. But love-based religion will become the greatest force for good the world has never seen but eventually will see.
Anne Frank, one of six million persons exterminated by Hitler in the Jewish Holocaust during World War II, wrote in her diary, “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” Indeed, to the glory and honor of God, let’s be United Universalists in sharing the life-transforming world-changing truth of God’s all-inclusive, unconditional, and everlasting love!”
Boyd C. Purcell, Ph.D. Author of books:
Spiritual Terrorism: Spiritual Abuse from the Womb to the Tomb and
Christianity Without Insanity: For Mental/Emotional/Physical Health
Website: www.ChristianityWithoutInsanity.com
Email: dr.boydpurcell@gmail.com
Dave
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