Is there a list of nationwide C.U. fellowships/churches published online?

[deeplyloved]

Is there a list of nationwide C.U. fellowships/churches and locations published online? Thanking you with
Many blessings!!!

[marie glen]

I tried a google search on this.. I'll put what I thought were some interesting and informative links - but the closest to a list i came across was this:

from - http://www.christianuniversalist.org/resources/articles/where-universalists-gone/

The American Baptist Church is "sort-of" Universalist, as a recent survey found that 75% of their members do not believe in Eternal Hell. Let us now explore the options for Universalists in the United States today which include: 1) "Virtual" Universalists, 2) "Latent" Universalists, 3) "Closet" Universalists, 4) "Independent" Universalists, and 5) "Experiential" Universalists.

Virtual of course, is online.. although I continually search the net for new links to Universalist Christianity and Universalism in world religions, more sites continually are added, faster than I can evaluate them! Some "Christian" Universalists are so fundamentalist as to exclude the UU denomination from their fold! I found one "Unitarian" site that has an article by someone who doesn't believe in Universalism. The Universalist Herald website does include links to conservative Christian sites; two of these sites (Tentmaker and True Grace Ministries) have more Universalist history on them than any UU site. True Grace Ministries even includes some 19th Century articles from the Universalist Herald. Our web links include three Quaker Universalist sites and one site of Universalism in world religions. It is gratifying to see that a lot of people in a lot of places are promoting Universalism in general and Universalist Christianity in particular.

"Latent" Universalists are the next category. In his book Psychology and Religion, Michael Argyle sites a 1992 survey that found 94% of Americans believe in God and 86% believe in Heaven, but only 71% believe in Hell. This 15% discrepancy between belief in Heaven and Hell is a routine finding in sociological surveys; sometimes the discrepancy is as high as 20%. Using population figures from the 2000 U.S. Census, this means that there are 43 million "Latent" Universalists in the United States! Many of them probably would be surprised to learn that there is a longstanding, honorable theological position which affirms their beliefs! The web is one way to let them know that there is a name for what they believe — "Universalism." If we could herd all these folks into one denomination, we could give the Fundamentalists a run for their money! (from the 2000 U.S. Census, this means that there are 43 million "Latent" Universalists in the United States! :thumbsup: )

An impressive immerging subset of "Closet" Universalists is authors who write about Universalism but choose to maintain their identity with another Christian denomination. (Go to the "Books" tab on the Universalist Herald website for proof!) For example, Philip Gulley and James Mulholland (Quaker ministers) have written If Grace Is True and If God Is Love. Dennis, Sheila, and Matthew Linn (Roman Catholics) wrote a wonderful little book that is even suitable for teenagers called Good Goats. Other current authors advocating Universalist theology are American Baptist, Anglican, Dutch Reformed, Mennonite, Methodist, and Presbyterian. And the list is growing!

"Independent" Universalists have always been with us. These folks are very much Universalist in belief but are not members of any church. A good example of this is Thomas Talbott who wrote The Inescapable Love of God. A while back, I wrote Prof. Talbott to ask his denomination. He replied that he had belonged to the Church of Christ until his church found out he was a Universalist, and they removed him from their rolls! Another example is Gary and Michelle Amirault who are the creators of Tentmaker.org, one of the largest Universalist websites. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: They are not affiliated with any denomination but occasionally have Universalist "revivals" on their property. By far the most famous "Independent" Universalist was Abraham Lincoln who never joined a church.
   ..Another of Lincoln's frequent quotations was from St. Paul: "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." (I Cor. 15:22) wow, I never read that before! :thumbsup:

Finally, we come to one of the most dramatic changes to Universalism that can be described, and that is the category of "Experiential" Universalists. Through their personal religious mystical experiences, the unconditional love of God for ALL was made known to them. For the past 150 years, physicians and social scientists have been studying religious experience. In the 19th century, the Society for Psychical Research was founded to study this data academically, and in the early 20th century, William James' classic work, Varieties of Religious Experience, was published. While research in this area waned during the heydays of Marxism and Freudianism (1930 – 1960), scientific research on religious experience since 1960 has been prolific and persuasive. ...The numbers seem to be increasing, probably because more people are coming out of their spiritual "closet." Nothing changes one's mind like being personally touched by God! In addition to mystical religious experiences happening to a large number of people, we also have learned through modern research that the majority of these folks are normal or healthy and that, just as in the case of St. Paul in ancient times, they change the lives. Those who have mystical religious experiences report being more oriented toward helping others and improving society. Many researchers from William James onward are convinced that religious experiences like these are the basis for the writings of the world's religions. Over and over in the Bible we read of prophets having a mystical experience that empowers them to speak on God's behalf (e.g. Isaiah 6:1-8; II Corinthians 12:2-4).

Universalism has been part of Christianity from its earliest days. Like Zoroastrianism (Zoroaster preached Universal Salvation around 600BCE or earlier), Universalism is now imbedded within other denominations and religions. Is the growing number of Universalists sufficient to counter the evils of Christian exclusivity which continues to claim that God loves only people of a particular brand, of a specific sect, of a special religion? Or is it time for a revival of the Universalist Church — gathering together all who enthusiastically affirm that God is too good to condemn people to Eternal Hell? Universalism holds the key for resolving the strife in our modern, pluralistic world community. For people trapped in the dogma of Fundamentalism, Universalism offers a Bible-based alternative more essential today than ever — a God who promises ALL will be saved.

As to the question/title "Where Have All the Universalists Gone?" as a previous group, I'm thinking they lost sight of the Bible, thus failed, and faded... (not the bible that's 'wrong' but man's understanding, perception, and translation in one or two topics/words, that's faulty..)

In summary, i don't know if there is a list of Christian Universal Reconciliation churches..

This was an interesting article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Unitarians,_Universalists,_and_Unitarian_Universalists

also,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universalist_Church_of_America
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_reconciliation - and this one which I have to go back and read all of it later!

:hiya: good 'luck' with your search for a church! Hope some of this helps.. :dontknow: I do know a Baptist church goer, and I recently found out she is universalist!

[deeplyloved]

thanks much marie glen!...great info...super abundant blessings!

[marie glen]

 :dsunny: :Peace2:  :girlheart:

[Lazarus Short]

OK, Laz is going to make a quest for the American Baptist church. :thumbsup:

[CST]

I've read the above quotation and, while interesting and plausible in many ways, I'm not sure it follows that if 86% believe in Heaven but only 71% believes in Hell it follows that the spare 15% are universalists - latently. They could just or even perhaps more easily be annihilationists. They don't believe in Hell because they believe God will erase all evil and evil beings from the world.

[marie glen]

Yes, CST, that could be true.. But I think there are way more 'Universalists' and 'sort of' or hopeful ones than is known.. but they wisely.. or not so wisely, keep it to theirself.. of course I hope they don't abandon the Bible / throw out the baby with the bath water, but are soundly biblically based on it. :thumbsup:

P.S- of course annihilationism makes no sense, imo, as why have that 2nd resurrection of all those not (yet) saved after the millennium of Jesus? Just to terrorize them? Course, I suppose quite a few folks are not that well acquainted with the book of revelation...(?) :smile:

[marie glen]

OK, Laz is going to make a quest for the American Baptist church. :thumbsup:

Let us know how the quest goes Laz! :thumbsup:

[Dandelion]

I know that the Evangelical Lutheran Church preaches Christian Universalism, and states that it is taught and believed.

I am still in the process of finding out exactly how this is interpreted by them.  I will probably find out more in the next few months, as I have some friends who are closely associated with this Church.

In the meantime, if any of you would like to explore this denomination, please do and let us know the results, if you would.

D.

[Dandelion]

Okay, here is an interesting YouTube video that I have found.

It is from the position that the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America is wrong to promote Universal Salvation.

It does state that the ELCA church believes that we all must be saved, through Jesus Christ.

Note the very ominous tone and 'evil' type of insinuations on the video.

I find this interesting, as a commissioned Deacon of another Lutheran denomination, I never knew of this, until I had dinner with friends from the ELCA church.

These 2 denominations work closely together on many projects.

I think this is a great victory for Universalism, as long as they preach that all must be saved, through Jesus, alone.

It means that a 'main line' American Protestant Church has accepted Universalism, as a belief of their Synod.

I will continue to look further into the theology behind their idea of Universalism.

D.

https://youtu.be/uVsMkfHrZdw

[joeteekay]

Very informative articles and posts. It continues to amaze me that so many "Christians" not only reject universalism, but are so very hostile toward the scriptural proof that God can and will save everyone. Antagonists like Mr. Slick from: christian apologetics & research ministry.

[CST]

Yes, CST, that could be true.. But I think there are way more 'Universalists' and 'sort of' or hopeful ones than is known.. but they wisely.. or not so wisely, keep it to theirself.. of course I hope they don't abandon the Bible / throw out the baby with the bath water, but are soundly biblically based on it. :thumbsup:

P.S- of course annihilationism makes no sense, imo, as why have that 2nd resurrection of all those not (yet) saved after the millennium of Jesus? Just to terrorize them? Course, I suppose quite a few folks are not that well acquainted with the book of revelation...(?) :smile:

Oh, I don't doubt there are, but when asked very restricted questions in surveys like this they could still answer that they believe in Hell but have the caveat in their mind that they don't believe it's an experience without end. So just as much closet as those that are being here identified as closet.

Certainly annihilation is illogical but perhaps not for the reasons you claim at least not to those who promote it. To them it would be of principle importance that all are raised so that the 'good' who are saved get to see 'justice' being meted out on the 'bad' who get punished and destroyed... because apparently the good love nothing more than seeing the wicked receive just what they've got coming to them. Especially if they've got in coming from God.

[marie glen]

Okay, here is an interesting YouTube video that I have found.

It is from the position that the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America is wrong to promote Universal Salvation.

It does state that the ELCA church believes that we all must be saved, through Jesus Christ.

Note the very ominous tone and 'evil' type of insinuations on the video.

I find this interesting, as a commissioned Deacon of another Lutheran denomination, I never knew of this, until I had dinner with friends from the ELCA church.

These 2 denominations work closely together on many projects.

I think this is a great victory for Universalism, as long as they preach that all must be saved, through Jesus, alone.

It means that a 'main line' American Protestant Church has accepted Universalism, as a belief of their Synod.

I will continue to look further into the theology behind their idea of Universalism.

D.

https://youtu.be/uVsMkfHrZdw

interesting.. thanks! I left this comment - "I hate it when folks stray from the Bible/theTruth!" ...(Because of other things I've read) "This preaching of the ELCA sounds like they have.. It differs from Jesus' statement "If I be lifted up from the earth I will draw all *to me*" Jn 12:32 and also differs from the verse "All things in heaven and earth are being gathered *into Jesus*" Col 1:20 and Eph 1:10

:dontknow: :dontknow: I do know some folks have thrown the baby (the bible) out with the bath water... so sad, just  alittle more study would suffice!! that wily adversary works all angles.. how glorious when only truth will remain..!!

It does state that the ELCA church believes that we all must be saved, through Jesus Christ.

I hope so! Maybe they could use some good guidance and affirmation of the BIBLE's Universalism.

Note the very ominous tone and 'evil' type of insinuations on the video.

Oh I know! Heaven forbid someone not believe in 'hell' and its horrors!  :gimpossible:

...as long as they preach that all must be saved, through Jesus, alone.

Yep, that's the key.. you wouldn't think it would be so difficult (for so many) to grasp!

[marie glen]

Oh, I don't doubt there are, but where asked very restricted questions in surveys like this they could still answer that they believe in Hell but have the caveat in their mind that they don't believe it's an experience without end.

Aha!!

Certainly annihilation is illogical but perhaps not for the reasons you claim at least not to those who promote it. To them it would be of principle importance that all are raised so that the 'good' who are saved get to see 'justice' being meted out on the 'bad' who get punished and destroyed... because apparently the good love nothing more than seeing the wicked receive just what they've got coming to them. Especially if they've got in coming from God.

...sad, ain't it..?

[Lazarus Short]

...it would be of principle importance that all are raised so that the 'good' who are saved get to see 'justice' being meted out on the 'bad' who get punished and destroyed... because apparently the good love nothing more than seeing the wicked receive just what they've got coming to them. Especially if they've got in coming from God.

The good?  The wicked?  But the Bible states that ALL have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God.  The "good" are doubly wicked for thinking they are better than those wicked people over there.  All are sick with sin, Christians are just the ones who have gone into hospital.

[CST]

Oh, I don't doubt there are, but where asked very restricted questions in surveys like this they could still answer that they believe in Hell but have the caveat in their mind that they don't believe it's an experience without end.

Aha!!

Certainly annihilation is illogical but perhaps not for the reasons you claim at least not to those who promote it. To them it would be of principle importance that all are raised so that the 'good' who are saved get to see 'justice' being meted out on the 'bad' who get punished and destroyed... because apparently the good love nothing more than seeing the wicked receive just what they've got coming to them. Especially if they've got in coming from God.

...sad, ain't it..?

Very sad. Not very compassionate. I'm not opposed to punishing wrong doers but kid gloves until that stops working, surely?

...it would be of principle importance that all are raised so that the 'good' who are saved get to see 'justice' being meted out on the 'bad' who get punished and destroyed... because apparently the good love nothing more than seeing the wicked receive just what they've got coming to them. Especially if they've got in coming from God.

The good?  The wicked?  But the Bible states that ALL have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God.  The "good" are doubly wicked for thinking they are better than those wicked people over there.  All are sick with sin, Christians are just the ones who have gone into hospital.

Indeed that why I put the key words (good, bad, justice) in scare quotes when first applied. To emphasise how it's seen in the mind of those who promote ED or even ET. To me the good, as far as that term is meaningful, are those that recognise and appreciate their own need for God's grace and mercy and see the more desperate need in those who haven't received it yet.

[marie glen]

Amen!! :banana: :banana: I think that hits the nail right on the head!

the good, as far as that term is meaningful, are those that recognise and appreciate their own need for God's grace and mercy and see the more desperate need in those who haven't received it yet.

The "good" are doubly wicked for thinking they are better than those wicked people over there.  All are sick with sin, Christians are just the ones who have gone into hospital.

[CST]

 :ty:

[WhiteWings]

http://radical-reaction.com/MyChristianSites/ShepherdsVoice/churches.htm

[deeplyloved]

Thanks for that White Wings!..great stuff!...Abundant Blessings!!!