Universal Salvation, Jesus the Redeemer of Mankind an Introduction
I began about a year ago to develop an understanding of the complete and encompassing redemptive nature of the work of Christ. I have struggled for a much longer time with seeming contradictions around the unfathomable grace and power of Christ’s propitiation, and that it seemed all sin could be forgiven except unbelief which seems a limitation to grace, the work of Christ and the victory won on the cross. And though I grew up singing the old hymns (some of the newer songs are nice but I do miss some of the old hymns) and as much as we sing and confess that we are saved by grace if it ultimately comes down to a decision to accept or reject Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. And that decision allows us a part, albeit a small part, but a part nonetheless in salvation. So it would seem we could sing the hymn “I am just a sinner saved by Grace… and my right choice”. We as good Christians deny it and would repress any sense of pride that this correct choice might foster, but the fact remains. We by our choice are saved, the fact that we have made the correct choice of faith results in our salvation. All praise and glory to God “I” chose Christ as my savior. Now no one would deny the work of Christ but there still remains that small element that we as Christians can “take credit” for – the correct choice. Of course we allow that the Holy Spirit has lead us to this point of understanding where by we recognize our sin and grace freely offered, but ultimately we make a choice. And it is by the very nature of that decision that one may choose correctly or incorrectly, those that choose correctly have a part to play in the outcome and in this case it is their own salvation.
This never has seemed quite right to me, it would seem to detract, or diminish the Grace of God and the complete work of Christ. That when Jesus was crucified and rose again, splitting hell asunder defeating sin and death, the awesome power, majesty and love of that act cannot and would not be diminished by the mere choice of mortal man.
Some have said there is no choice that God foreordains the elect to salvation and the rest to damnation. This view places even more limitations on God’s love & grace, than does our individual decision.
I have through the course of my life encountered the concept of a completed universal restorative1 work of Jesus Christ, but always rejected it outright. After all I grew up a Baptist, revivals and tent meetings hell fire and brimstone, eternal agony of punishment was part of my psyche. It is a corner stone of the faith. Or is it?
As I reexamined these questions closer I discovered these ideas are not original to me, nor are the particularly recent in Church history universal salvation or restoration has been taught throughout church history and was particularly strong in the early church. Now in fairness to history as the church grew and organized the concept of eternal damnation became an accepted tenant as well it played a very critical role particularly as a means of power and control2. And to be clear outside of a large number of the early church (and church fathers) the concept of universal salvation has always been a belief held by a small segment of Christendom.
So began my spiritual journey, in subsequent posts I will provide the argument supporting this truth, through scripture, theologians and church history.
I commonly get two responses from Christians in response to this; first, this is heresy and I am a heretic for talking about this; I say historically3 that puts me in the company of some pretty godly men and women, I’m just saying examine the scriptures yourselves. The other is that if everyone will be “saved” then why bother to live a godly life, “I can do whatever I want it doesn’t matter” this says more about your current relationship with God, that it is fear based which is sad whether I am right or wrong.
John the Baptist said of Jesus “Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world”
As an old boss of mine (who ironically was one of the worst I’ve had) used to say you eat an elephant one bite at a time, so this no doubt is my first bite on this subject. I look forward to your comments.
GWG
1 Completed, Universal and Restoration have been used and I will use them interchangeably to refer to the concept of universal salvation through the work of Jesus Christ
2 I will discuss this in subsequent blogs
3 This is not to say that all “heretics” are godly
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If this is true who is on the other side? There is a war raging, you know this instinctively because many of the battles take place in man. Jesus spoke of both a narrow path and a wide path that led to different end points. Universal salvation? I'm looking forward to the rest of this. Oh and by the way, Have I told you lately how proud I am that you are my brother? I love you!
ReplyDeleteThe battle continues because we do not escape the consequences of our actions it is exactly that choice Jesus spoke of the narrow gate to life the broad gate to destruction, the law of consequences – reap what you sow – the question is, is destruction in this context the eternal fires of hell? And though I speak of the completed work of Christ for all mankind it does not mean that this accomplishment is lived out by all mankind. That is, even though the master has freed the slaves they may continue to live on the plantation as though a slave. Man continues to live as though alienated from God, even though Jesus bridged the gap - removed that alienation. The good news, the gospel is that we are no longer alienated we no longer need live as slaves. It is Paul who tells us to “work out our salvation in fear and trembling” which is not to say our salvation is based on works but to say that we are to continue to live and grow into the new reality that Christ allows.
ReplyDeleteThank you, I cannot tell you how much I value your love and support, and look forward to this dialogue.
gw glunt
KG1 sorry I screwed up your comment so it would not post, I copied and pasted it here:
ReplyDeletescience is the new religion, religion is the old guard that keeps the gate closed if you get too close. misdirection is an old tool, its hard to be aware when we are preoccupied with each other, manipulation of the senses is a simple yet effective diversion, we must see the puppeteer in order to realize we are the puppet. does the cow know its fate or does it enter the slaughter house willingly or give up its calves with no thought of the consequence, do we? the atrocities continue, only we see them in our peripheral mind knowing if we say anything we'll be eaten at best, raped, murdered and tortured at worst, then eaten. the pictures in the late 1600 of the devils devouring the human race are not a nightmare in one mans psyche. it is a nightmare we all share as a race. there is no fear of death... didn't you say that death was conquered? did you mean it or just say it or do you know it? kg1 one with you and you and you....etc the hundredth monkey effect, when the cup is full it will be drunk. just be because you just are..
KG1
ReplyDeleteHell is such a powerful word, it evokes such fear, taps into our deepest fears we are not aware of the concepts, sermons, and images (by the thousands) we have stored up over the years. A person will gain insight into this by simply doing the following: read the scripture using “Young’s Literal Translation” it is a literal translation of the Hebrew and greek nothing added no change in sentence structure etc. Read verses related to “hell” (gehenna Tarturas and Hades/Sheol ) these words do not have those psychological scaring that are deeply intertwined with the word Hell. Then ask yourself what Jesus is saying. Here is a link to a great site for different bible translations and Young’s literal translation
http://www.biblegateway.com/versions/Youngs-Literal-Translation-YLT-Bible/
Ok my words are going to seem simple compared but... When speaking to my father, who is now a deacon in his church, about some actual experiences I have had concerning my brother who is passed on, or as I like to think has simply already experienced what we are all destined for, he said he had had similar experiences and tries to deny them because the bible says to. I told him that I feel the bible is a wonderful guide but yet it is created by man and the awesomeness of the God I know can not be contained in one tome. It would be like trying to put a Genie in a bottle. The bible is great and amazing but there is more. The more can only truly be found in side your self.
ReplyDeleteTHe conversations about hell remind me of two Vedic (?-source) parables.
1-- Is about the monkey that finds himself in a castle turret and there he has everything he could possibly need or desire. He starts to consume himself with wonder of why he is in this place, how he got there, is he imprisoned, etc.. Now he believes he is in hell even though his circumstance haven't changed but his perception has. This is the "monkey" of all our minds. You can eat poison and it be nectar to your body if you believe it to be so or vice-versa (thinking of the state of our earth now) let me eat this poison, digesting the stress of my environment and the toxicity of my food and it will be nectar to me because I believe it to be so. I will not be brought into the hell our media makes things out to be, I choose to make now my nirvana. (it's a process though)
2- A holy man asks Lord Rama what is hell. Rama takes him to a room where there are people sitting all around a table with really long spoons attached to their arms and in the middle of the table is a delicious smelling pot of stew. All the people are emaciated and starving because when they spoon up the stew they spill it before the long spoons will reach their mouth. Then Rama takes the holy man to another room with a similar scene.. the table, the spoons, the stew... except here the people are plump and happy and laughing amongst themselves because they have learned to feed each other.
So in my simple opinion... Hell is simple, it's in your mind and it truly is only frightening when you are far away from God. Every moment of every day we have a choice to be a "host" to God or a "hostage" to our Ego. It's a choice that's all and when we experience problems beyond ourselves it can also be a part of our collective-consciousness which is why we must "feed each other the nectar of life".
twoarwens is your sweet Jennifer in Ga!! Hi
ReplyDeleteYea Jennifer I am so glad you joined!!!!
ReplyDeleteLet me share a few somewhat disconnected ideas in response to your comments, also important to know my very strong Christian background no doubt shapes my approach.
The Bible: Is inspired by God and yet to truly understand it one must realize that mans connection to God and understanding of God has grown and developed through time much the same way we did as children. Our level of enlightenment, comprehension and experience of God is different than it was 1000, 2000, 3000 etc. years ago. The description of an old-testament God is different from the New-Testament God, has God changed no but man has, our awareness, and more important or experience of God has changed. One can see the progression from a remedial God to a relational God (our experience changed not God). Man desires and seeks God because we are of Devine spirit, (created in God’s image) and God reveals himself to all men who honestly seek him regardless of the faith, doctrine, or religion. Truth is truth, God reveals himself to all who seek him, and He meets those pilgrims where and in what context they are. We say that God is the same (and by nature of divinity I agree) then His desire to reveal himself to mankind has not changed so God must continue to reveal his nature and his plan through continuing revelation.
Christ: I believe that no man can approach God but by the completed work of Jesus Christ, whether one knows, or acknowledges that or not. Christ removed the alienation of man to God. And whether we be Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, or atheist we all connect to the one true God. Now we see through the clouded glass, shapes images and shadows, but one day will see all clearly
Truth: Truth is not dependent upon what you name it; call him God, Jehovah, Allah, Universal Consciousness, pure potentiality He exists and we are divinity, created in His image, gods and goddesses. We know truth from its fruit, (the bible says) good roots cannot produce bad fruit nor can bad roots produce good fruit, if you find that which is good then the root is good.
Hell: Hell is NOT a biblical construct; it is created by a corrupted church to control people out of fear. The problem is that we are so conditioned to the word (hell), and it powerfully reaches into the depths of our psyche touching our deepest fears, it is so difficult for Christians to see through this. Hence my focus of this early post, it is important to me (and I think the only way to approach Christians with this truth) is through an examination of scripture which I plan on doing in several parts.
So much more I have only scratched the surface.
I loved you Vedic parables one of our oldest religions it is a shame some Christians look no further than their orthodoxy.
You are right on about our choice to “host” God or our ego, we chose, experience the Devine destiny or alienation.
I so look forward to hearing more form you.
gwglunt
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