Hi, I`m Jeff from the UK. I have been following the tentmaker site for many years (1990s).
Ive been a christian for most of my life (I`m 70 now) and recently joined the Roman Catholic church which I love.
I`ve hated the ECT doctrine since I was a young man but have never been fully convinced about universalism.
Many in the RC church are hopeful universalists and preach a far more merciful God than most evangelicals I`ve heard.
Looking forward to joining you again!
Jeff
G'day Jeff:
I'm in Perth, Western Australia:
64yrs young.
Grew up in a Baptist environment.
Usually the people in that church were encouraging and friendly.
However, when things went wrong for me the congregation could support, but could not answer to the depth that was needed.
Was there for 30yrs.
Then was blessed to meet a Jewish Christian.
This change of concepts directed me towards universalism.
The concept of all being saved is popular: but the differences of understanding, to me, highlights the difference between flesh and spirit.
Flesh tries to do everything for self.
Spirit recognises that Christ did everything for us and is in the process of setting the next step of creation.
Paul quoted Isaiah and pointed out that the pot,mankind, tries to tell the potter, God, how everything works.
The positive about all this, again for me , is that history points out what man has tried to do to resolve issues and set up government doesn't work 100%.
God doesn't fail- just has a patience and precision that man won't understand till God actually shows him.
1 Corinthians 15:22,23
IMO we are ALL brothers and sisters in Christ, we just grow up at different rates.
Have a great day.
ps: has taken 30yrs to get to this point.
Much learnt and much more to come.
Our Father treats us as children thanks to Christ and all He has done and will do for our future.
Above all this is the fact that His love never fails.
Before the world began He set the wheels in motion to carry out an awesome future.
Hello! Welcome.. And amen Ross and Jeff! :hiya:
I?m a young 69, was reconciled to God in the usa Rocky mountains (foothills I guess) then through a bible tract about Jesus so prayed the prayer. That was 45 years ago. I quickly lost interest in churches. I had a problem with authority figures(?) And got a different attitude from churches - to be a bit stand offish so ppl know they are sinners - than I did from Jesus which was simply love and acceptance / not required to disapprove noR to approve, neither one, no thank you.. Actually i consider myself to have one rule, to love God. That takes care of all, for if genuine, then I wiLL love and have genuine affection for my fellow person. And I will be generally faithful. I never believed in that ancient pre Abraham spiritual propaganda myth of hell.
Have since found out translators, who just couldn?t reaLLy believe? So changed the word all into all things whenever possible - rev.21?s - behold! I make all new! And Eph.1:10?s - all to be gathered into Jesus.. Jn.13:3 - the Father has given all into the Son?s hand, but not 2Tim.3:16?s - all scripture for training, or 1Cor.15:28?s - that God may be all in all, as it would sound pretty silly.
They also love the harshest interpretations of words and verses.. as we know changed five words into hell, and aion (eon after all) into forever and neverending..
I consider life as we presently know it as being THE crucible :gsmile: this slow gehenna fade/entropy. It being because God iS life, and - quote - is perfect, Mt.5:48. So imperfect is entropy, opposite to Life, and already proven, is an abyss of potential. Opposite to Life it can never work. If there had been no option to stray in Eden, wouldn?t we be then just an ant farm? And see how - all in heaven and earth (eph.1:20) are taking this unavoidable journey through this all important contrast, all together at once.
Translators changed aionion kolasin / eonian korrection / age oF correction (surely the GWT judgment/discernment ‘day’) into neverending punishment! CraZy !!!
:Peace2: