It's difficult to talk about oneself this way

[Ann]

I don't really enjoy talking about myself like this; but here goes.

I found this website at the end of a long journey. Fear of hell was actively cultivated in the church I grew up in, as, I'm sure, was true of most of the people here; and it has poisoned my life ever since. What amazes me is that, despite this devastating doctrine, God's love was able to reach past it and touch me -- even when I still believed in it.

I reached the conclusion, rationally, that a God who is love could not possibly condemn anyone to everlasting torment; after all, that would make him less loving than most human fathers. It didn't make sense; but fear is not a creature of rational thought. "What if ...?" is a question that can only be answered by no longer considering the question worth thinking about, and that can only come once fear has been conquered.

I did not reach this conclusion in a vacuum; I was aware that textual arguments existed for the restitution of all things, and that the idea was not foreign to the early church. So, I was able to make this journey only with the help of God and the work of those who had made it before me.

This website is kind of the icing on the cake for me, the last nail in the coffin for the doctrine of hell.

In the short time I've been free of this fear, I've already noticed that it's easier to look upon God and others with openness and to not take life, or myself, so seriously.

So, thanks to all who are here. Each one of you is a testament to the negation of this doctrine, simply by being here, and thus a support.

I read a comment, elsewhere on the site, by someone who said he asked God why he would leave his people a book with errors in it, and that God had replied that he wanted people to have a personal relationship with him rather than worship a golden calf. I'm still smiling over that one; those words have a definite ring of truth, for me.

[FineLinen]

Dear Ann welcome to our Tent. The glorious message of Father is full of better. He is not an ogre, He is the Father of all fathers, bringing His beloved creation home to Himself.

[Andrew]

Welcome Anne,


I really enjoyed your testimony - very thoughtful.

As I have journeyed through The Futuristic Maze, I am more able to accept that the Big Picture view is the only way for me to adequately navigate the matrix that we have been put in. 

Do you care to share your Born Again experience? I love hearing about those experiences, especially  when I can pair it with the experience of how the individual came to believe in the Restoration of All Things.

I know you don't like talking about yourself so there's no pressure if you don't care to share. 

Thanks for sharing what you did.

[Ross]

Hi Anne!
Literally Nothing can keep us from the love of God in Christ Jesus's OUR LORD.
From my experience I appreciate this fact now after many years of feeling empty,  even though I was a regular church member.
Having a comparison between my efforts and Christ's provision makes me love Him even more.
May the peace of God which passes all understanding be with you.

[joeteekay]

Hello Ann and welcome to this place of virtual refuge. I liked your testimony and it is well written. Hoping to hear more from you.
May His peace be with you. No more fear.  :dsunny:

[jugghead]

Welcome Ann,

it is my opinion that "an infinite heart breaks and grows beyond the chains that are the fears of the mind"

Many Blessings

[Mickiel]

Dear Ann welcome to our Tent. The glorious message of Father is full of better. He is not an ogre, He is the Father of all fathers, bringing His beloved creation home to Himself.

God is not an Ogre , I like that. He is no monster although his reputation and integrity has taken some serious traditional hits. We may as well take our time trying to get to know a bit more about him. In Job 36:26 Behold God is great we know him not. It is easier to concentrate  and convince others that he is an Ogre you may get mounds of support for that. Anyhow greetings to Tentmaker.

[guest6667]

I remember before I had any faith. The idea of hell seemed ridiculous. People who have an inclination for God can be motivated by it, but for people who have no concern at all for God, I think hell doesn't ring true.

Now I think about how all of creation, not just the ones who have the first fruits of the spirit, but creation itself is groaning within itself for its desire to be set free from the corruption of this world, into the glorious freedom of everlasting conscious torment. No that doesn't sound right. Into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

[Cardinal]

 :cloud9: Welcome to the Tent of meeting!