The Evangelical Universalist Forum

An Open Offer (to publish 700 word EU case as article)

Evangelical Universalism Arguments for Evangelical Universalism
#41

Jason I’m impressed at how much meat you managed to squeeze into such a small package. This truly blessed me.

You’ve actually inspired me to go back to study. I’ve been wanting to properly study theology, church history and Koine for ages. However, not being particularly well off, it would have needed to be a distance learning degree. And every decent course I found required a ministerial reference for admission. Try finding a pastoral reference when you’re an outspoken universalist woman :unamused: . But now, I’ve been reinvigorated to chip away at it again and make more enquiries.

In true British West-Country fashion, I’ll sign off with: Cheers ma dears!!

#42

I know this thread is ancient… well at least middle-aged… :wink: but thought I’d just ask whether Jason’s article got published anywhere I can link to?
Not that I mind linking to the forum at all, but I’ve found people tend to get stuck at the this-name-is-an-oxymoron stage and not actually read what I’ve linked to!

(It would also be cool if we had a specific place to put everyone’s 700-word summaries, where anyone newer to the site could add their own too. Like Johnny said, it’s a great idea to have a one-page summary you can find at a moment’s notice. Perhaps there’s already such a place and I missed it?)

#43

I don’t know that he ever published it. :frowning:

I agree, we should create a sticky thread for members to post their 700 word case. :slight_smile: (Or 1000 word maybe. :laughing: )

However, it’s a rather complex topic, so any short case for it seems like it would be too simple to me. How many people who are now Christian universalists were once non-universalists due to arguments we came to realize were too short and simple to properly reckon with the evidence and/or with the principles involved?

That seems rather common to me. By the same token, I’m leery about trying to give a short EU case, because that seems similarly dangerous or at least open to instant rebuttal for being short-sighted.

Still, I agree we should set up a short-case sticky thread.

Updated to add: AND LO, THE NEW THREAD WAS ACCOMPLISHED, AND THERE WAS GREAT REJOICING AND/OR GNASHING OF TEETH!!!

#44

ITS BEEN PUBLISHED FINALLY!

Enjoy!

splitframeofreference.blogspot.c … ction.html

–Nick

#45

Very interesting, Nick!

I was really surprised by how the author of the ECT view took so much space to explain his questions with Universalism. The first one, why not continue sinning in this life if we’ll all be saved eventually, at least I think that’s how it went, is one I hear all the time. It’s really revealing about the way we feel about God, that we wouldn’t want a relationship with Him unless he’s going to endlessly torment us. And, anyway, even if the torment isn’t endless it’s probably not something we want to take lightly. If judgement feels like being lit on fire, not that this is what it is literally,how many of us would want to endure it for even a few seconds?

He says we Universalists are mistaken about the difference between retribution and reconciliation. I should think a great many of us would like to say the same to him, that he is mistaken in his understanding of how retribution is for the purpose of reconciliation. How does his view of retribution jive with a God that is love?

If people are free with a sufficient knowledge to condemn themselves, the bible also says, about these same people, that they are blind. Sick people destroy themselves. This is why they are need in of being reconciled.

If we don’t change our minds easily, which I’m sure is the case, surely that is no obstacle for God who has demonstrated that he is quite committed to reconciling all things.

I guess that’s why I’m a Universalist, I don’t have all the questions he has.

#46

Nick has also created a new thread on this forum for discussing the article series.

Members are welcome to comment either here or there (or both). I’ve got links directing each way. :slight_smile:

Edited to add: originally my 700 word third-draft final entry above featured a bizarre miscitation of Mark 10:30 for Mark 3:28. I still haven’t got the faintest clue how I did that, but I’ve fixed it now. It can still be seen in my first and second drafts above.

#47

Hi,

I coming into this thread very late, but I just want all of you who took the time to write out your defense to know that you ARE published, right here, for all of us newbies to read. I, for one, and grateful to have each different voice to learn from.

Thanks,

Kelli