Hi everybody. I'm new to the forum and wanted to introduce myself.
My name is Malcolm, although I go by the nickname of Mike. Over the last several years, I have come to believe in universal reconciliation. To be a little more exact, I believe that through the life, ministry, and atonement of Jesus Christ, God has prepared a way for all of us to return to His presence, eventually ridding ourselves of whatever separates us from God and being accepted into the Kingdom. Unlike normative Christianity today, I believe that every human being who has ever lived will be reconciled to God, because of the redeeming work of Jesus Christ. It may take eons for some of us, but eventually we'll all reside with God forever.
My religious background is probably a bit different from some of the rest of you. While born into a Protestant family, I joined the LDS Church at the age of sixteen. While in college, I looked deeper into the history of the Latter Day Saint movement, using the access I had to church publications from the 1830's. This led me to leave the LDS Church and join the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (a body that is now known as the Community of Christ).
For many years, I was happy in the Reorganized Church, and it was there that the idea that many of the people who most Christians consign to the bowels of an everlasting hell would in fact not be damned forever but would reside in one of the "mansions" or "kingdoms" prepared by God. As you can imagine, I got a lot of flack for expressing a view that murderers and criminals of all types could be forgiven, reformed, and be accepted into God's presence. In other words, I am quite used to being called a heretic, and really don't mind it in the least :)
As time has gone on, the Reorganized Church has changed some of its stances, even as my own personal beliefs have continued to change. The end result is that while there are many people in that church that I love dearly, it has become somewhat difficult to remain active in that group. In a way, it is sort of ironic, since I know several Community of Christ members who identify Christian Universalism as an important component in their belief systems. While I retain membership in the church, I honestly do not know if I will be able to resolve some of my issues and focus on the good things I see happening within that body, or if I need to find another church.
I just discovered this forum today, and hope to connect with others who are seeking God's will in where they should live out their stewardship.
Hi Mike, I hope you find what you are looking for.
In case you haven't found it yet: http://www.tentmaker.org/ScholarsCorner.html
:newb: :welcome:
Welcome! :bigGrin: I hope you feel at home here. :bigGrin:
Greetings Mike, its great to see you're willing to change . . .which is merely growth really . . . I just stated to a pastor friend of mine a week or so ago . . ."Isn't it sad that in order to be a true follower of Christ, you have to become a heretic to the church? Haven't heard anything more from him since.
Hope you enjoy the family God has led you to here on Tent.
Blessngs.
:cloud9: Hello and welcome to the board..... :thumbsup: