The Evangelical Universalist Forum

? on Romans 8:38-39

Theology Biblical Theology
#1

Romans 8:38-39
38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Is this statement only for believers? …or is it for everyone? Hopefully everyone, but this would make a good case for EU, but i know, the ECT’ers would say yes, it breaks God’s heart to have people burning in hell for eternity…because He still loves them. :unamused:

I say, well…this is not love then. :confused: How could love allow eternal torment?

#2

Romans 8:18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that[h] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

#3

Paul seems to flow back and forth in this chapter between speaking ultimately of everyone and then of those who are now following Christ. But immediately to 38-39 he seems to be speaking of everyone. Note

31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

Is the Atonement limited in scope? Did Jesus die only for some of humanity or for all of humanity? Does God choose to save all or only choose to save some? It is He that justifies us through the sacrifice of Christ. Does God love all of humanity or only some? If God loves all of humanity then can anything ultimately separte us from the love of God?

As you can see, I lean towards understanding this passage as Paul speaking of God saving all of humanity, especially we who now believe!

#4

Here’s a thought . . .
So, the earth itself is going to experience the lifting of the curse that man has incurred upon it . . .the dirt, the rock, the water . . .but man himself, to hell with him???

Are the ET’ers aware they are embracing this kind of thinking?