Christian Universalism: A humorous journey with pictures.
Sometimes I get upset when I think about a teaching about Jesus that describes him as a monster who would send most of humanity to eternal conscious torment unless people believe a certain way. So I needed some comic relief. Also, humor can sometimes override our pre-existing notions, and help us to wake up to truth.
I have been called a heretic for believing in the Biblically-based concept that salvation is for all by vegan Christians. You would think that vegan Christians would have a view of God who is all powerful and all loving. Why do people hate the idea that God can and will save everyone? This reasoning is something that kept me from following Jesus and surrendering my life to him for about 30 years. The Methodist Church which I left at age 16 because I saw so much hypocrisy, did not emphasize hell. I probably would have left sooner if they did. Even when I decided to surrender my life to Jesus, I couldn’t believe this truth whole-heartedly. I am amazed at how people can interpret the Bible this way. It reminds me of what the “woke” culture does. They change the definitions of words so that they can persuade people to adopt their beliefs. Yikes!I’m identifying with this guy! I am so enjoying diving into the Bible and learning from teachers who know the Bible inside and out. The study of universal salvation is so fascinating. I am also learning Greek. Aonios is the word interpreted as eternal, but which does not mean eternal. Want to read a long blog about this word? Here you go. How can people say in one breath, Jesus is savior of all, and then be thinking the opposite? I implore you–if you really believe that if people don’t believe in Jesus the way you think they do, and thus they will go to hell: shout it from the roof tops. Otherwise, explore Christian Universalism and see if you really believe that. I think you will feel very relieved when you can finally tell the truth. This reminds me of the situation we are in politically. Many people do not want to say they support Trump because they are afraid of losing friends. It does happen, for sure. But more and more are speaking out, and learning who their true friends are. If you come out of the closet and say you are a Christian Universalist, or that you believe in salvation for all–you might lose friends, lose your church-related job, and even get kicked out of your church. But it is worth it. The more of us who speak the truth, the more people will have the courage to do so. Not! But the belief that God will send people to hell to eternally be tormented with no hope of relief is the opposite from this story. That is why we love Jesus, right?Exegesis means: “Critical explanation or interpretation of a text, especially of scripture.” ECT means: Eternal conscious torment. I don’t get this, do you? However, I do know that I hear very few preachers talking about the lake of fire–or even threatening eternal damnation. Why is that? My theory is that people don’t really believe this any more, and they know it repeals people. But they are afraid to say the truth. Wake up, people. Be brave! Stand up for what you believe. Take up your cross, as Jesus did. The prosecution is nothing compared to what Jesus suffered. I know! What’s with this attitude? I almost left my faith when I proclaimed that I was a Christian Universalist, and people who I cared about criticized me for this belief. I felt rejected and hurt. I’m glad I call myself a Christian–however, I need to add the word Universalist so people can know right away I don’t believe in eternal conscious torment aka hell. I feel sorry for people who feel a need to prove this doctrine. What a relief it will be when they learn the truth. I feel so encouraged because I keep hearing that people are waking up. Be an early adopter. Be courageous. If you believe this, shout it from the roof tops. Jesus will be blessed!The god who would torment people eternally is not a god of justice or love. Justice is about helping people change for the better and learn their lessons. Love means that even if we need to dispense some kind of punishment, we are never happy about it. God is sad when we reject him because he knows we are missing out. I want to share Jesus because I believe people’s lives will be so much more fulfilling. Not because I am afraid for their eternal destiny. Yes, do your research. Hell is a pagan concept. This might sound harsh, but I think that people who teach eternal conscious torment to their children are abusing them. Maybe they don’t think they are, just as parents who are too strict and harsh, think they are helping their child be obedient and thus happy. I think a parent can abuse their child and not know they are doing so. Parents–if you are not teaching your child to be afraid of ECT–why aren’t you? Maybe you don’t really believe it? Embrace the truth, beloved one. Do your own research. And share the truth with your child. I I can relate to that look! It just does not compute. God will be able to inspire everyone to surrender their lives to Christ. He can do it during this life, or after death. Do your research! And God does interfere with our free will, I believe, as long as we are seeking to do the right things. Even when I didn’t believe in him, he commanded me to travel and he helped me overcome crazy obstacles so that I could do so. That journey helped me start believing in God again. Let’s learn what all the words in the Bible mean! Yeah, why is it that this is not shouted from the mountaintops. Because it isn’t true! And people are leaving the church because they are taught this in less outrageous ways. This concept is not logical. I want to have a sign that helps stimulate conversation. I’m not sure it will be that one!Why is it that people who believe in ECT want to hold onto this doctrine so tightly? Most people who believe in hell are terrified paganism, and yet they preach this concept. I implore you to do your research and NOT teach this pagan concept.
Here is an article that I wrote with lots of resources so you can study for yourself. I think you will find the study helping you to grow in your love of Jesus, and your desire to share the Gospel message.
