Hello everyone!
My name is Tim. I've been reading articles on Tentmaker for the past few weeks but only just now realized that there were forums here, as well. For a few months now, I've been taking a more critical look at the doctrines that make up my belief system and testing them to see which are good and true. That process began with a discussion with a friend of mine over Calvinism vs. Arminianism—but since then, it has spread more broadly to my conception of the afterlife and the nature of Christ's redemption. It wasn't long until I came across this site, and thus far I am impressed by the scholarship and insight offered here. On an emotional and intellectual level, I very much want to believe that Jesus's redemption is for all mankind, and that if hell exists; it accords with everything that I've learned about love thus far in my life. But I've got years of mainstream evangelical and Pentacostal teaching in my brain, and I am still searching it out to see the truth of the matter. I'm also all too aware of universalism's status as a heresy in most denominations, and I confess I'm afraid to deal with everything that firmly declaring its truth would lead to because of that status. Nevertheless, that hasn't and won't stop me from continuing to study to understand what God's real character and plan is, and I look forward to what I can learn from reading what you all have to say!
Welcome new addict :dsunny:
If you truely seek and stick around you will learn what 's so good about the Good Message :-)
Check here (http://home.online.nl/spamfree/) for a collection of the best articles. Well in my opinion the best articles.
Never be scared to search. The Bible commands you to study yourself approved. That's not (just) remembering your pastors last sermon.
Enjoy the ride!
(Haha often it means forgetting your pastors last sermon.)
Welcome! :)
Hey, welcome. Many did come from mainstream, some never had that influence. I was Assembly of God and Baptist background. God showed me UR, then a couple years later called me out of institutional religion. It's a long road, just be open to any of God's truths that might be different than "what we've always believed and been taught", ask God to show you, and He will.
Blessings, James.
Hello and welcome ^_^ I hope you like it here. I believed in eternal hell before but now I don't. I was a pentecostal but now I'm a universalist but a spiritual person. The eternal hell has made me so depressed before. I thought I committed the unforgivable sin and I called my pastor to say if God forgave me. I couldn't eat and I cried. I would be in my bed and I would think of how terrible it would be if people did go to hell forever. It was a frightening thought. God has shown my eyes and I even was crying and felt so much sorrow, I cried out to God and I spoke to him about this issue. In my heart, I get the impression, God won't send anyone to hell forever.
Welcome tutler and I would like to say, be prepared for the tears of joy and peace in knowing the love of our Father through His Son and Spirit during your walk with the truth (Christ).