A Simple Explanation of Christian Universalism
by Charlie Slagle, author of Abba Calling
I think that some of the silent readers may not yet have a clear idea or WHAT this glorious good news of UR (universal reconciliation, Christian Universalism, Victorious Gospel of Jesus Christ) is about. Hence this short post. Maybe this will help bring into focus for some as to WHY we are contending for this message.
Those who proclaim Christian Universalism aren’t trying to be divisive or controversial, believe it or not. Neither are they merely trying to prove a “doctrinal point” by maintaining that 100% of humanity will be drawn into Christ through His cross. It’s not a matter of driving doctrinal details down the throats of other people. The real issue that Christian Universalism addresses is simply this:
THE LOVE OF GOD.
How deep plumbs the love of God? How high does it reach? How long does it endure? How wide is its range?
Traditional churchianity for 1500 years has been and is telling us that God’s love is only as deep as YOU are wise enough to let it be for you–in THIS lifetime. UR proclaims that it goes far deeper than that! “It reaches to the lowest hell!” (To quote the words of a famous gospel song that many Christians love, but fail to believe.)
Traditional Churchianity says that God’s (meaningful and active) love reaches only such a height as to impact with those “chosen few” who have been elected to “go to heaven” to the everlasting exclusion of the rest of the human race. (Calvinism) Or to those who have shown valid faith by their acts of obedience to make it to the further shore (Arminianism). Christian Universalism (UR) proclaims that God’s love reaches far higher than that, and that His dreams for his human offspring aspire far higher than that. UR maintains that those who are “elected” now aren’t elected for “pie in the sky” to the exclusion of everyone else. No, they are chosen to s..p..r..e..a..d heaven until Holy Love Himself becomes “all in all.” Everything in everyone and everything everywhere.
Traditional churchianity maintains that the length of God’s–redemptive, meaningful and active–love endures AS LONG AS non-Christian people are still living and breathing in physical bodies on this physical planet. But if they die unconverted–poof! It is no more. And that is the “long and the short” of it! On the other hand, Christian Universalism (UR) proclaims that God’s love endures for all time–and infinitely beyond– and is never-ending at all times and in all realms. His love is an ACTIVE and EFFECTIVE quality that never fails for–anyone. Not even for Satan and the fallen angels. (Although some UR believers don’t see fallen angels as literal personages in need of restoration.)
Traditional Churchianity maintains that the width of God’s (meaningful) love ranges to those whom He has elected to escape an endless hell, or to those who demonstrate by their faith and good works that they merit it. UR proclaims that God’s Son “GIVES life to the world” according to Scripture, and that “the gifts and callings of God are without repentance.” Therefore all Israel–as well as ALL of the WORLD will be saved.
So the issue is not about “doctrine” and trying to get everyone straightened out on “eschatology” (the doctrine of “last things”). No, not at all.
The REAL issue is LOVE.
Is it really effective? Is it really unconditional? Can we rely on it (Him!) even when we have lost control and cannot rely on ourselves–one iota? Can we rely on Love to prove faithful to our non-Christian departed loved ones? Does Love ever fail–in any respect or to any degree? Does Love plan to abandon billions of His cherished (?) offspring to an eternity of endless fiery torture? If this is so, how can people–with a normal conscience–SINCERELY love, admire and worship Him? How can we aspire after Love and seek to be “loving people” when this is the net result of its working?
How, then, does Love REALLY differ from hate?
Do we have to earn or merit or “receive” or “appropriate” Love (whatever!) in a wise and timely fashion in order for it to accomplish its healing work?
Is Love (God Himself) more reliable than we are?
Does Love Himself REALLY care about the objects of His (professed) affection?
Is Love Something (and Someone) we can REALLY count on?
THAT is the issue. And that is what Christian Universalism (UR) is about.
Thanks for putting up with my sounding off again…
P.S. UR loved!
Love to all, Charlie Slagle
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Dear Watchman:
If we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us .
Your sin to me appears to be that you see yourself as blameless and that anyone who does not follow your view of scripture as alluded to above is outside of God’s grace and salvation because in your view we , who are believers of the Blessed Hope rely on God’s grace through faith for our salvation and not on the works of being blameless in following the works of the Law to the utmost which is impossible. All the more reason why we need a Savior. God knew that we couldn’t keep the letter of the Law and anyone who says that they can is deceiving themselves and the truth is not in them.
I will never give up on you, sir, nor will God. In God’s due time you will see the light. May that seed faith that God has given to you take root and grow to the realization of what Christ has done on the cross for ALL of us, which is, He has saved us when he said IT IS FINISHED! Then is when we repent out of gratitude and work out our salvation through the doing of good works to the glory of God.
Gary and Charlie:
As always, thank you for your words of edification that truly build up the believers and give hope to those seeking the truth.
Dear Sir:
Your words are all emotions… further you don’t qualify your individual opinion but pass it off as that of God’s … you sin here by stealing God’s schkinah (sp?) you further sin against your fellow man by inferring unless we agree with you that we really aren’t a part of Christ’s church… your sin here is that of division… you have managed to break the two most important commandments of God (loving God and neighbor as self)!!! Your personal opinion doesn’t make TRUTH … talk all you want about LOVE – it won’t get you into Heaven! God determines and DEFINES who His real church is and not man!!! God says only those who have their name written in the Lamb’s Book Of Life will be with Him in Heaven … this takes more than LOVE on its own!!! Scripture indicates that love must be accompanied with: Belief, Obedience, Perseverance (without adding or subtracting from the Word of God)… once again Love alone will not save you no matter how many times you keep repeating yourself.
Respectfully submitted in love for your correction. A watchman of His Word
I respectfully disagree with your boast that you are a watchman of His word. It seems I have heard words like yours before in the mouths of the Pharisees, Saduccees, lawyers and scribes. It seems your boast is in your confidence that YOU will earn your way to heaven. Good luck. I’ll put my confidence in the finished work of the cross for all mankind. “‘And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw (literally drag in Greek) all mankind to Myself.’ This He spoke signifying what manner of death He should die.” John 12:32, 33