The Evangelical Universalist Forum

How has believing in universalism changed you?

Evangelical Universalism
#1

As I said in a post yesterday I am re reading “If God Is Love” (with the understanding not everyone likes the work of Mullholland/Gulley, but that is a different story!)

They discuss in the book how they have been changed - in their actions, their political views, their treatment of others, their family lives - by embracing universalism. (again understanding their particular form of universalism is probably quite different from many folks on this board).

I thought it might be fun to have a thread running “how Ive been changed by universalism”…:slight_smile:

Ill start - now I would say I’m in the category of “hopeful universalist” (and Ive always leaned towards this, so I haven’t had a “major break” in thinking) - how it has changed me - well the more I explore it, the more I’m convinced of the over all Love of God, and understand the texts of “John” (God IS love) - also, the more I explore it the less fear I have for others - I’m starting to see that God is working in our lives at various paces and in different ways - and I’m finding a whole new understanding of all the times our Lord tells us to “fear not”…

#2

I think this will be a good thread. I have become more convinced of UR since first coming to this understanding. I tend to think that while most Christians and indeed churches and denominations affirm ECT my observation is that it is head knowledge not heart belief. I would even include Piper and Driscoll in this. Why? because I just don’t see how anyone can remain sane to believe such a totally horrible view of our loving God if they have any compassion at all. How long would one have to take in terms of time to sit and contemplate ECT in its horrific reality and not be moved to spend every effort and all resources to warn everyone no matter the cost. It is clearly not happening QED. it never has for two thousand years and one would have to ask serious questions regarding the apparent inactivity of the Holy Spirit over this time were ECT an actual reality. The reality is that we have a message of reconciliation to preach not a message condemnation or fear. After the first 400 years we find a history of another gospel and oppression with glimpses of hope and we have been coming our of the woods if slowly in some areas ever since the reformation and counter reformation started - it has not reached anything like completion yet. Am I being a bit tough?

#3

Hi Chris B - not sure you are being too tough, lol!

I understand your point about whether people “REALLY” believe everyone is going to Hell…I remember having a discussion with a friend who says he believes anyone who doesn’t proclaim the name of Jesus is lost…I asked him how he could live day in and day out, minute by minute, knowing his sister is in that position…doesn’t it torment him? He gave a vague kind of “well of course it upsets me”…but I would think if he REALLY believed his sister is lost and/or going to suffer for eternity, he would never have a seconds peace…

I wonder if most people really believe (maybe quite reasonably) “Well, it is in Gods hands, and he is all love and justice, and we will leave it to him”…

I flounder between being an inclusivist (such as CS Lewis) and some sort of hopeful universalist…and remind myself that it is all in Gods loving hands…

Chris -do you feel your life or treatment of others or social/political views have changed at all, since embracing EU?

Blessings!

#4

Embracing EU has been part of a journey in discovering God’s goodness. A major part, it must be said and a journey I am still on.

I have changed quite a lot over this time - I am less judgemental and have more grace for people in all areas of my life. In my evangelistic efforts I am less argumentative and more understanding of people. This has also resulted in prayers for healing being more effective.

When I consider it - I have more of the fruit of the Spirit … and am more like the God that UR reveals.

Regards,

Mike

#5

Zai, I would have to say that my prior belief was somewhat conventional and it was only the passing of my younger sister and a sermon which kind of reiterated ECT in a rather apologetic sense that set me to thinking and then I bought the Evenglicle Universalist, and then found more and more convincing arguments in further publications and folks on this site. Has it made any difference? I’ve discussed the issue within family and with close friends. I think they mostly don’t really get it but by the same token are really where I was in that they either don’t really know and have not thought too deeply regarding the ECT issue. This apparent confusion and lack of interest concerns me a bit and I tend not to push the matter that hard. Similarly my current church is ECT but it comes up so seldom I have not had much opportunity to discuss the subject with leadership though I did make my position moderately clear in writing a couple of years ago. The associate pastor is coming for tea next week so maybe… Like many who have shared on this site I don’t want to cause divisions but I do feel that the Gospel as currently promoted is flawed many in our society are very suspicious of being sucked into controlling situations which seem to be reflected across the broader denominational spectrum. I work within the Men’s Shed movement which is a very strong movement among men in Australia promoting health and welbeaing though friendship and support. I do get some real opportunity there to share but have to take care in what is a non religious setting. Cheers Chris

#6

Universalism changed my relationship with God. Rather than seeing God as an evil monster, whom I pretend to love because he saved me (and left most others to be tortured) and thus serve him in unholy fear as a man would an evil tyrant… I now serve him with a more pure fear, knowing he has my best interests at heart. Do I still fear his punishment? You bet I do! The punishment is more real now than it ever was. The punishment now fits the crime. Matthew 5,6,7 now actually isn’t a contradiction. No longer do I feel that God is a more powerful version of my selfish self. Rather, He is an infinitely more powerful version of my selfless self.