Good evening all!
I guess I'll introduce myself with a testimony of how I recently came to know the truth of universalism.
I am an elder in a small church in south austin. My wife and I were visiting some friends of ours who are more on the worldy side. My friend's wife started talking about the book "23 Minutes in Hell". She was fascinated by it. I haven't read it but the parts she told me I could easily point out several flaws. Long story short we all got into a discussion about hell.
My friend's wife said she couldn't understand how a loving God could torment people in hell forever. Being an elder and knowing all of the typical answers for this comment statement I told her that "God in His infinite judgment and love will only send people to hell that deserve it."
I am one who likes to search out answers completely and her lament that evening really struck me. I started searching Scripture for "hell", and did a search on the internet. God blessed me through that search by bringing me to tentmaker.org. I clicked on the article entitled "The Case Against Hell". I was blown away by what I had read. I continued on this site reading and comparing what was said about hell with Scripture.
The revelation that God truly loves everyone of us and has a plan of salvation for us all opened my eyes to a renewed love for my heavenly Father. The burden that I had shared with most other believers that our loved ones will eternally burn in hell for not receiving Christ had suddenly been lifted. Scripture was refreshing living water once again. I was further blessed I came to realize the validity of the preterist view. This has opened my eyes to a completely new and more thorough understanding of the Word.
To be sure I have many more questions which I will probably pose on this message board. But I am blessed beyond comprehension to have the scales removed from my eyes. You can imagine as an elder in the church my acceptance of universalism has caused no small stir. I do not teach, nor do I force the views of universalism in my church or on the other elders. However, since they are aware of my views, I always stand to give an account whenever they ask questions.
LOL, just a little about myself: I am married (19 years now) with three beautiful kids. I have called Austin home since 1978. I received Christ in 1987, though I knew Him many years before. I attend a small Wesleyan Church.
Fantastic! Thanks for sharing that, and you will find fellowship and support here. Welcome, TS! God's blessing, James.
Welcome! Well done for being open enough in your heart and mind to accept Universalism. It takes many people years to come to the point you are at now already.
Blessings
DeeDee
Whenever I get complaining and unhappy (and I can be pretty miserable,) if I can remember, there are two things when brought to mind bring me peace, joy and usually a tear: 1.) How Jesus saved me from sin; and, 2.) How he delivered me from believing the lie that God is the eternal Torturer to know Him as the loving Lord and glorious Savior of All.
Welcome from your brother James Rohde
Great testemony. (I would like to know more about)
Welcome :thumbsup: and start posting! :laughing7:
Good News! Welcome from a fellow Texan (near San Antonio)
- Byron
Bill Weiss and his 23 Minutes in Hell helped get me here too. I heard him on the radio and started looking into it and watching his videos on web sites. When things didn't add up I started looking around more and found Charles Slagle, Tentmaker and other sites.
Welcome Texas Son!
:welcome:
Howdy Texas Son
good to see you here and great testimony
, May God grant you His wisdom and love , more of Him :HeartThrob: