I just finished her book, and I would recommend whoever is in charge of posting on the ‘Material We Recommend as a Community’ get on reading that book immediately. This book speaks so clearly and beautifully the truth of God, without being overbearing or boring, she weaves her arguments and evidence into a cohesive tapestry that, once you step back to look at as a whole, harmonizes the biblical picture better than I have ever seen it. You have to read it, its written for everyone because its about everyone.
I wouldn’t go as far as saying I’m in charge of posting there, however recently I’ve been the main poster there. This morning as I drove to work I was thinking I must put it there, so thanks for the reminder 
I completely agree. This is the most solid and concise book I have read on this topic, and I love how she did an excellent job of tying in the old testament elements, something that is often lacking in books like this. I was also blown away by her take on what the soul is; I have never heard that explanation before! She does a great job of bringing various elements into the picture without being overbearing with any of them, and puts it all together in a way that simply makes a ton of sense. I think she makes a very good scriptural case that there is definitely judgment, but that there is no literal hell, because it is clearly an idea foreign to scripture that was added later through importation of pagan ideas and translatory manipulation.
I can’t recommend this book highly enough!
I’ve just ordered a couple of copies- sadly have to wait a couple of weeks for the post.
Z
I purchased the E-copy of the book for my Kindle and am very pleased with it. I’m only 30% through it but will likely order serveral copies for some family and friends, especially women. I find her approach to the subject compelling. It’s written for the non-seminarian, and is more conversational than accademic. I believe it would be especially compelling to women for Julie presents emotionally charged issues very well. I recomend this book highly.
I’m slowly working my way through (close to halfway finished now), and I can’t say I’m entirely comfortable with her handling of the Bible. She’s a good writer, and overall I like how and what she says, but I can definitely see some of my ECT friends poking holes in it (especially the more academic types)…
I keep hearing great things about her book as well so will have to order it.
It’s good to have your input on this as well Neal, it’s important to make the distinction of what type of person would get the most out of this book. The People I know are not the “Academic” Christian Types (Not sure what that says about me 
) So I am on the lookout not so much for the most technically correct book, but for a book that the common reader can follow as well as a book that makes very good scriptural arguements. Rob Bell’s Book seems like it has it’s place as an introductory for some audiences, but it doesn’t show the depth of of scriptures that point towards Universalism, so a book with more scriptural proof is needed, at least for the types of people I know and come across.
I agree Neal that accademic types would not likely appreciate the book much, and would certainly find points to disagree with; but then accademic types have a tendency to disagree with everyone and find holes in everthing they read (I know I did/do, though I’ve learned to not throw out the baby with the bath-water, appreciate the good points and let the holes not bother me). Then again, she doesn’t claim to be accademic or writing her book for the accademic community. Rather, it’s for people who are like her, passionate for God, devoted to studying scripture and knowing God, with a high regard for Messianic Judaism, some biblical education but not MDIV or PHD level, and a tendency to understand scripture personally and even prophetically/charismatically. Noting that, there are several people whom I know that this book would be very compelling to. Julie presents her book in a much more conversational and emotionally appealing manner than the more methodical and accademic approach I actually prefer. Actually, the people I have in mind are all women, and I think Julie’s book would be especially appealing to women, especially those with an appreciation of Messianic Judaism.
I loved Julie’s book! It was my first book on UR/EU. It was an excellent introduction. I had always struggled with the lack of justice that accompanied the idea of eternal torment. Julie gave me a good beginning to spring board from. She did an awesome job with the original languages . . . Loved it! And, I love her sweet, straight forward way of writing.
OK i downloaded this for Kindle app on my iphone yesterday and got most of the way through the Bulk of it.
I am Very Very interested to hear what others on this board think of Chapter 18 which uses scriptural support to make the case that “God Creates Evil” and Coexists with evil…and purposely brings it upon his people. I find that section has been right in line with some conclusions I have been coming to. But that section flys against the Orthodox teaching about Evil. I may make a post about this if no one responds.
I think most people would say she goes too far in making God the Creator of Evil and God the one who allows Evil in the life of individuals. But This seems to really go perfectly hand in hand with Universalism, The way the Jewish mind views God and also the way scripture portrays God. I find this chapter eye opening, and unless i have missed it I have not seen this concept spoken of in any of the current Universalist books. I still havent read Robin Parry’s However.
She uses the following scriptures:
Isaiah 45:7 I form the light and Create the Darkness. I make peace and create evil. I the lord do all these things.
The word Create above is the same word used in genesis1:1
1 Sam 16:14-15 He sends evil spirit to torment.
1 Kings 22:20-23 He decieves people in order to lead them astray.
2 Thess 2:11 God sends a working of delusion.
Jer 6:19 God sends disaster
The book of Job
Shen also reflects on the tree of Knowledge of good and evil in Genesis and in Revelation and how it has been Gods plan all along for us to experience Evil in order to know or aprreciate the good.
I find the section to be spot on with the Sovereignty of God and Universalism, though the idea of God Creating Evil, and bringing it purposely in our lives is definitly not Orthodox.
I also find it right in line with some of Jesus words. For example “I speak to them in parables so that though seeing they may not see, and though hearing they may not hear, lest they turn and be saved”. Hmmmm. Which appears to be showing not that Jesus didnt want them saved, but that it was his plan for them to experience a hardening/Evil before it was time for them to see and come to the light. This verse seems to make no sense without Universalism and this idea of Evil.
Also Paul makes it clear in Romans that it was God that allowed all to receive a hardening so that he could show his mercy to all.
Lastly, let me say I like this view of Evil because it gives less glory to “the Devil” so to speak. And realizes that God is in Control of everything and Sovereign in every detail of reality as he has planned it all this way for specfic purposes that allow his creation to value and appreciate the good after knowing the bad.
Can anyone else comment on this? Does this Unorthodox idea line up with your view of God and Evil? Does the sciptural support seem sound?
This is not a new position to me, because I have read it before from a few other universalist authors, whether they subscribe to that label or not. Her view is very similar, if not identical to Martin Zender’s.
I think the position has strong scriptural and logical support, and I find it difficult to argue against regardless of how uncomfortable it might make us. It makes more sense to me than the traditional views. While it does fly in the face of what is now considered orthodoxy, so does universalism…
OK thanks Melchiz. It’s good to know others have this view, because for me it has seemed to tie everything together in an amazing way. This Idea brings to much relevence to Everything going on in scripture that I could not make sense of before. The purpose of the story in the garden of Eden, the evil God allows, the reason he allows blinding, the purpose of the tree in revelation, the connection people on this board are making between God and fire, everyone being salted with fire, Jesus baptizing with fire, Pauls words about God discipling everyone he loves, Pauls words about all being hardened, Jesus speaking in parables. Geez I could go on forever. I am also back to a sympathetic view of Calvinism realizing that their view of God’s Sovereignty and calling is true, but that they just missed the fact that It is everyone that he calls.
Wow.
I haven’t read the book, but as to God creating evil, a couple of things.
1 He put the tree of knowledge in the garden without a fence around it or an enclosure or something to keep them away, which He could have, and He could have made it with giant thorns, or really ugly looking.
2 He told the Israelites to fashion the cherubim on the ark, after saying there shall be no likeness of anything in the heavens or earth. He even says in Ezekiel “I gave them commandments that weren’t good for them”. The Israelites worshipped the cherubim, they even had names Moloch and Chiun. (Jeremiah eventually hid the ark at the deportation, so that they would not come back to idolatry). God knew this would happen “I declare the end from the beginning”
I don’t know if evil can be considered a thing, but “from Him, through Him, and to Him are ALL things”. Although the word things isn’t really there but pantov, all.
I think evil is the absence of good, just as darkness is the absence of light. In order for God to create, he first needs a canvas, a blank page. He needs a space where he is not. If this space is empty of God, it will be absolute evil. The dark ocean of chaos in Genesis 1 springs to mind.
Since this ocean is bounded, evil also is bounded. There’s no dualism here.
If God is truth, the dark ocean is deceit. (Satan was a liar from the beginning.) If God is hope, joy, courage and love, the dark ocean is pain, hatred, fear and despair. ie. It is sheer hell.
God reaches into this dark, hellish water and begins his creative work. He makes a giant bubble called the Sky, and pushes back the evil. He makes land, plants, animals, sun, moon, stars, people. The entire Biblical narrative happens in this creative bubble. Even now, some of the darkness remains, but God will not rest until every last corner is filled with light.
The darkness we carry about in our souls is part of that primordial sea. It is unreal. It is uncreation. Not even God knows what it is. (“Away from me, evil-doers. I never knew you.”) It is doomed to destruction. It will be filled with light when we are baptised in the Lake of Fire. But the good we find in ourselves is very real. It is God’s beloved creation and will be saved.
I agree with your thoughts as well. Is there another way to see Satan and evil? Is God not the Creator of ALL things? And, aren’t ALL angels subject to Him? It seems clear in Job that Satan has to seek permission of Yehovah to do anything. David asks in the Psalms, where can I go from your presence then asserts that, no matter where he would go, Yehovah is there. There us no place where He is not. And, that gives me great comfort!
I read it. Nothing contradicted the Bible and the arguments were really straight forward and clear. I would recommend it too. 
Neal, having read more of the book, I understand what you’re saying. Julie, in sections, does tend to move from exegesis to more of a highly interpretive approach, basing much on her understanding or misunderstanding of passages from a Jewish perspective as best she understands it. Overall, I too like how and what she says. The second half of the book, though, the more academic types would disagree with much.
I did appreciate Julie’s presentation that God creates both good and evil, light and darkness. I think of God as transcending good and evil. It’s all part of His plan. He’s the source of all and will bring it all to a glorious end. I’m also reminded of Adam’s and Eve’s desire to “know” good and evil. Well, we sure do know both good and evil - experientially and intimately! And we’ll really understand how evil, evil is and how good, good is when we encounter the Judgment and face the full revelation of Truth.
Understanding that God transcends good and evil does give me greater faith in Him. It reminds me of Yin/Yang. In traditional christianity it seems that God is the white Yin and Satan is the black Yang. But the truth is that God is over all, transcending all. In this reality there is good and bad, but when God wraps it all up, we’ll see that it was all part of His plan.
Totally agree Sherman. The Ying and Yang symbol came to my mind to. Reading that Chapter gave me a new perpective that God has purposed the light and the Darkness in his wisdom. Rather than Darkness coming as a surprise to God. To me that chapter is very valuable. It brings us back to what the scripture says about God and his Soveriegnty over ALL, how everything is clicking away just as he planned, and Universalism is the only reasonable conclusion to God’s purpose of bringing light and dark to all people.
I also agree with Neal, having read more of the book. This is not going to be a book for the Academic types. This book definitly has its place and will strike a chord with many though. But for example, she often quotes Wikipedia for support of a historical/cultural fact 
I think it’s pretty common knowledge that Wikipedia is not where you want to be going to prove anything.