tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458185836486141916.post3829079275217019085..comments2024-03-27T15:57:45.646+11:00Comments on Set Apart In Christ: Universal Salvation... It's not all bad!Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729367092929790809noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458185836486141916.post-83371792052287679092010-06-12T12:07:03.888+10:002010-06-12T12:07:03.888+10:00I really like the way you've put things here. ...I really like the way you've put things here. Why does the thought of God saving all upset us? Shouldn't it bring us joy? Shouldn't we hope that all will be saved? Or turn it around: why do we WANT some people to be in hell? <br /><br />I think, in part, this signals that, deep down, we think we've done something to *deserve* salvation; therefore there are others who do not deserve it, and the idea of God saving them offends our sense of fairness. Of course, we wouldn't admit that we think we've earned salvation (I hope we wouldn't!), but I think that's part of what underlies the knee-jerk reaction to universal salvation. It reminds me of the parable of the workers in the vineyard.<br /><br />Full blown universalism can't be embraced, because it presumes upon God's judgment. We can't fit God into that kind of box. Jesus Christ is the judge, not us. But the judge is also the one who died for us, while we were yet sinners. So we can hope that no one is beyond reach of his grace.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458185836486141916.post-39357732312663578622010-06-11T15:49:56.825+10:002010-06-11T15:49:56.825+10:00A great post Adam, and a brave one. Like you, I...A great post Adam, and a brave one. Like you, I'm not a convinced universalist but, if I'm reading you correctly, I agree that it's a viewpoint that cannot be simply dismissed as a heresy. There is a 'minority report' on this within the bounds of orthodoxy. Let us hope at least that the generosity of God is greater than our own. Thankfully God loves sinners more than the Church loves sinners.Glen O'Brienhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00131451459050975926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458185836486141916.post-35706710910958995322010-06-10T06:07:31.002+10:002010-06-10T06:07:31.002+10:00The thought that keeps running through my mind as ...The thought that keeps running through my mind as I read your great thoughts are what do we with free will, or in keeping with Bruce Almighty's dilemas, God said Brruce could do anything other than mess with peoples free will. I love that scene where God catches up with Bruce to see how he is going and Bruce asks "How do you get people to love me/you?" And God replies thats the point of free will.<br /><br />In a strange way that scene for me brings to life the very crux of my faith...there out before man is the gift wrapped as Christ..though once alineated from God, by Christs death and rising to life i am NOW reconciled to him. This along with Paul writting that all who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved leans me to a point where there is something that one must do to be saved. <br />In my tradion I'm comfortable with this, however not so comfortable when my heart thinks about the one day old baby I buried, who though never calling on Christs name therfore accepting his gift, I believe is in heaven waiting for me.<br />The issuse of innonces and sin need to be dealt with Adam when looking at this doctrine, along with Man's need or lack of need to respond to the gift of salvation.<br />Next to salvation free will is greatest gift we were created with, what are we to do with or even need it if universalim salvation is true? Well done mate, keep up the good workLindon Kindernoreply@blogger.com