Universalism (Christian) versus The Hell Doctrine! (Which Bears Good Fruit?)
Victorious Gospel of Jesus Christ, Our Father is UNFAILING LOVE!
Tentmaker Visitor Comments and Testimonies
May we add your testimony to our heavenly Father’s faithfulness real soon.
Some excerpts from recent emails we have gotten here at Tentmaker. We share them to encourage others who are on a similar spiritual journey. Please also check our Testimonials Page for more stories and testimonies. Glory to God!
January 15, 2009
While the fruit of this “Blessed Hope” is just beginning in my life, I am embracing it more everyday. I listen to your pod casts and tell everyone who will listen. I have made a strong evangelical convert here at work who is telling everyone also. So far my pastor has not gotten back with me, but I believe he will (he is an open minded thinker with a doctrine in Theology).
While making my chaplain rounds visiting patients, I was able to share this wonderful news to a lady that her daughter had died five years ago from drugs. Because of her uncertainty of her daughters eternal destiny, the grief was as fresh as if it had happened yesterday. I shared the poem “Better than God” from Purcell’s book “Spiritual Terrorism”, changing the gender only, for her benefit. I believe her healing has began. Praise be to God!
January 15, 2009
I am glad to see you promoting the good news. I am sad to see that there are those that God has kept from understanding his message, but I know that He knows best. So many are not seeing that they are in reality trusting in theier own work of belief on Christ to save them and not accepting that He ha done it all. They seem to want to hold onto the idea that they are so much better than the Taliban or Hitler and so are so much more deserving of God’s love. They don’t see that they are saved by faith, Christ’s faith, not their own. This too is a part of His plan, as He is still on plan A – never went to plan B when Adam sinned. Keep up the good work as we are called to spread the news that He has done it all. Norman
12/04/09
I just wanted to thank you for your site and resources the information I am learning here is a true blessing from God. Look foward to making future testimonials of delivering the good news of Christ’s “eternal” love for all his creation.
September 21, 2009
Thanks. I’ve been reading your teachings for 3 days. I am making myself leave the computer to get my work done. I am awed.Thanks again.
September 1, 2009
To Mr. Gary Amirault and all at Tentmaker Ministries: Words cannot begin to express my gratitude for what God has done in my life through your ministry. I am from a small town in Mississippi and was raised as a Southern Baptist. As most denominations do, I thought we had a monopoly on the truth. However, the idea of everlasting punishment always bothered me and something deep inside me hoped that it was not true. But my belief that it was a doctrine taught in the Bible made me cling to it.
This doctrine has kept me in a state of fear for most of my life. I just could not have any assurance that I was “really saved” and that God would not at last send me to hell forever. Finally, the build up of fear took it’s toll on me, and I suffered a complete “nervous breakdown” similar to what Mr. Charles Slagle describes in his testimony. I could not even walk to my mailbox without suffering from a panic episode. I could not eat or sleep. I thought I was going crazy. This coupled with the fear of possibly losing my family and/or my job because of my inability to work while under such stress almost drove me insane. I was eventually able to get it under control with medications and get my life somewhat back to normal.
When I returned to work, a friend introduced me to Calvinism. At first, I opposed it vigorously. But eventually I began to realize that I had always “passed over” or neglected the Scriptures that dealt with the sovereignty of God. Before long, I was reading Edwards and Calvin. When asked the questions (either by others or by my own conscience), “why would God create those whom he knew would reject Him?” or “why would God condemn people to an eternal hell for not having a faith which only He can give?”, I always comforted others and myself with statements such as “well, we can trust God to do what is right, we just can’t comprehend some things.” But I always felt uneasy, as if something just didn’t add up. I was under a load of guilt from fear-inducing Calvinistic teaching. I began to get really involved in my “local church”. I was teaching Sunday school, Discipleship Training, and I was Outreach leader. Somehow I felt that if I did enough, God would except me because I was showing the “fruits of repentance”. Now I see what a grand contradiction this was to the salvation by grace I claimed to believe.
Back to my story – I did genuinely care for the salvation of others, even though I had no assurance of my own salvation. I just could not understand why others did not take hell seriously, even though they claimed to believe it. I even went to Romania on a mission trip to try and save a few from the fire. While over there, I preached a false gospel, the “good news” that “God loves you, but He will torture you forever if you don’t love Him”. I will have to answer for that.
The day that changed my life was the day that my pastor asked me to speak on the importance of evangelism. I stood in front of those people and expressed my belief in “a hell where people suffer conscious torment forever and ever”. I got nothing but blank stares. I went home that night sad.
What happened next I really can’t explain, but I believe it was the Holy Spirit of God speaking to me. Not in an audible voice and nothing really profound, just an inner voice asking me to seek the truth. The next day, by divine appointment, I stumbled upon your website. While browsing, one of the first things I opened was the “213 questions” tract. I began to ask myself those questions and read other articles and books on your site.
It didn’t take long, and I was convinced. I was reminded of a Scripture, “You shall know the truth, and the truth will make you free”. When I thought I had the truth before, it led to nothing but bondage. But praise God, the real Truth will indeed set you free! It was as though the whole Bible came together. God’s creation made sence, election made sence, everything finally made sence! It has not been easy and I have had questions, but thanks to your ministry I have always been able to find answers. God bless you!
I have especially enjoyed Christ Triumphant by Thomas Allin (best book I have ever read outside the Bible), Hope Beyond Hell, and all of the articles by you Mr. Amirault. I want to thank you so very much for your ministry. It has been a tremendous source of blessing to me. I ask that you pray for me as I continue to learn, and most of all, that Christ would be glorified in my life and that your message, the message of the Bible, the true gospel, will continue to increase and become real in the lives of all people. I apologize for being so long, but I wanted to let you know that you are making a difference, and please, please continue what you are doing. Daniel
September 1, 2009
My Dear Beloved Mother &Father in Christ Gary and Michelle Amirault, your Great site and good work through it I have been blessed and I rejoiced for the sake of your faithful work. Thanking you, Yours in His Vineyard Pastor P. Ruthjaiseel Babu
August 19, 2009
I love your work on Tentmaker!! I have share that sight with many people. My Pastor friend also loved meeting you in person in Dallas.
People are being liberated everwhere with the TRUE GOSPEL!!
In Him, Brian
July 7, 2009
My husband and I read your article If Hell is Real…last night and it was truly eye opening….still plowing through your site….thank you for all of the info made freely available…THAT is true love for those in bondage!
July 6, 2009
Your site is an amazing work of the Holy Spirit. I want to bless you in the name of our Father, Jesus Christ.. I pray to our Father Jesus that you will never be tired and weary in your ministry of reconciliation and that you will conquer all enemies by Love, just like our Father Jesus Christ has taught us.Hallelujah.
Praise Jesus.
My joy knows no bounds and i take delight in serving such an awesome God.
July 1, 2009
keep up the good work that your doing there. Tentmaker is awesome! And I know its because its shining forth God’s glorious light and truth. Mike
July 1, 2009
Awesome. This has changed my life. Thank you. Craig
June 28, 2009
Thank God for these men and people like them spreading the truth about God and the Aions. I am fed up with all the lies that go on about the Word of God. People have been kept enslaved to fear for too long, and it is about time to free the captives!!! Jesus freed mankind, yet the satanic pagan ideology of hell has put most men back into self imposed slavery. Jesus Christ will not fail at what the Father has set him out to do, and that is to save the WHOLE WORLD.
June 28, 2009
This video has opened my eyes. I didn’t realise that that’s what Jesus meant when he said that he had the keys to death and Hades… to think I overlooked that completely. Thanks, and I enjoy your videos!
June 27, 2009
Thank you so much Gary. The truth has set me free. I know this is the truth, because I’m beginning to manifest more in the love of God and the fruits of his spirit are becomming more evident! Light will always overcome darkness! Praise the Lord!
June 22, 2009
My heartfelt thanks for the “Hell Test”. I have been hounded recently by well meaning christians trying to convert me to their beliefs. I am continually told that I am going to hell because of how I see life and the afterlife. Thank you so much for the words of wisdom. In my book you guys are REAL Christians!
The Hell Test
June 3, 2009
One lady who has been Pentecostal all of her life said “I wish I had heard this (universal salvation through Jesus Christ when I first became saved — it sure would have saved me a lot of confusion and heartaches.”
April 2009
Hi Gary, I hope that you can answer this question for me. This question has been in my heart for a long time and I believe that you might have an answer. Why, I believe this is because I believe that you are a man who walk with God in a very deep and powerful way. Why do I believe that you are a man of God who I believe walk with Him is because Gary, I have been coming to your website for several years now and has read different articles that you had written and other authors articles as well. Through your articles I have been given answers that have increase my faith in God. There have been many things that you have discuss on your website where no one would touch because of afraid that they would be ostracize. Through some of your writings, I have had to examine myself, my life, my christan walk. I have wondered if you were ahead of your time through the articles that you have written. You hold back no punches and you are not afraid to say or write what you believe what God is showing or telling you. Your articles are deep, and there are many times that I have to read them more than one time to get the comphrension, because the writings are on a level where alot of christians like myself have not arrive yet. God through your writings causes a person to examine their beliefs, go outside the box. My question is why did God go ahead in creating mankind, create Satan, allow His son to die knowing already what mankind and Satan would do? Why did He allow himself to continue to be hurt, grieve by mankind? Before man or Satan existed, he knew the outcome. I become sadden alot because of the death, disease, violent, etc. that I see in this nation and this world that is beginning to increase more and more. Because He is all knowing, why? Thanks Shirley
April 25, 2009
“Gary, I appreciate you. Your website saved my life a couple of years ago. Now I’m free at last, free at last, thank God Almighty………..”
April 25, 2009
Today is Easter and I have seen it in an entirely new light. Over the years I have often sung the song, “He is Lord, He is Lord. He has risen from the dead and He is Lord. EVERY knee shall bow, EVERY tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.” The only problem is my theology did not line up with that song because I believed, as I had been taught, the every knee EXCEPT for Satan and the fallen angels and all evil-doers will bow, and every tongue EXCEPT for the one in the mouths of Satan, the demons and fallen angels will confess…….In my heart I had inserted conditions, exceptions and holes into that verse. Today, FINALLY, thanks to this forum, I have reconciled the Scriptures! I SEE for the first time….EVERY knee and EVERY tongue with NO exception will one day acknowledge that Jesus is indeed LORD and it is because of His sacrifice on the cross and His glorious resurrection from the dead. I will never see Easter in the same way again. Today my heart had been soaring, rejoicing and worshiping in a way that I have never done before because I see the totality of the cross and the REAL power of the Gospel (good news) and the total overcoming power of the blood of Jesus. ALL things will be reconciled to HIM and He WILL reign as LORD over all. PRAISE God! Thank you for sharing the truth!! Aletha
April 25, 2009
“Thank you for pointing me to the TRUE God and his son, who now surely reigns in my heart and I know why he is called the prince of peace. For this I thank you.” Patrick
April 25, 2009
“Thank God for Tentmaker…I thought I was the only one.”
April 2, 2009
And it was about that time that I found my way to Tentmaker, and specifically, to the page entitled “The Hell Test”. Many of the questions there were ones that I had already asked, but I remember that there were two verses that I had not focused on before that I found, which were Romans 5:18-19 and Luke 15:1-7. I remember I began slightly crying when I read those, because I felt as though I was reading about myself: that I was the lost sheep whom Jesus had found. Yet, despite the similarity of this feeling to the feeling that the evangelical Christians told me I should feel when I accepted Jesus as my lord and savior, I could feel that there was something fundamentally different. And it didn’t take me very long to recognize what it was. Had I been saved as those fundamentalist Christians wanted, I would have felt overwhelming guilt and concern for all the unsaved around me. At this moment, however, all I could feel was an overwhelming sense of joy – joy that God loves not only me, but my family, my friends, and the entire world, and that I ought not to fear that I would never see them again after I die, but instead rejoice that not one human will be denied the saving grace of God’s love for his creation.
Indeed, it was quite possibly the irony of ironies: I had been told for much of my life that I was going to eternal hell and that I needed to accept Jesus as my lord and savior right now or else I would burn for all eternity, yet that idea was precisely what prevented me from doing so. And now that I have become absolutely convinced that I do not need to pledge my life to God in order to escape eternal hell, all of a sudden I want to do so, because I finally believe I can truly love God. I remember after reading Luke 15:1-7 that all I could do was close my eyes and thank God again and again. I wasn’t even sure what I was thanking him for, whether it was for this knowledge I had newly acquired, whether it was for the gift of life, or whether it was for something entirely different – but I knew I was very thankful. And I knew that I wanted to devote my life to him, because for the first time in my life I was absolutely certain that he was just God, a God who would not allow his creation to suffer eternally, a God who was truly deserving of worship.
And let me close by saying that I am very thankful to you, as well, for finally giving me the resources I needed to cement in my mind the firm belief that Jesus did save the entire world just like he said he would, and that God is a kind father who ought to be loved, not an abusive father who ought to be feared. Luke
April 2, 2009
Just wanted to let you know I’ve been a Christian for 40 years. 2 months ago the lord showed me and revealed to me universal salvation. When he showed it to me, I emotionally broke down, could not stop crying for a half hour. Other than my Christian experience when I got saved, nothing has blown me away like this. My peace and joy have gone through the roof. I almost feel like I have been reborn again. Just wanted to let you know the lord is revealing this teaching to his people. Like I said, I was shown it 2 months ago. What a great god we have, the depth, and height ,width, length, of his love is simply mind boggling. Bob
June 1, 2008
My name is XXXX and I was released from prison aprox. one year ago. While I was incarcerated, you sent me free of charge, many publications. I was enlightened by these spiritual delights and I was able to share them whenever the Lord permitted. Thank you again. Gods Love,
April 16, 2008
this is walter , my suffering is no where the suffering of most , just want to say i love you and your family as well , God did allow me to suffer just enough to see Him for who He really is , the day i cried out for truth i found your site on the internet , close to a nerves beakdown i read the words , God is the savoir of all men , and i beleived that , and the pain went away and i had great peace enter my body , this was eight years ago , when God wants me to see something He always allows me to suffer again , i find it hard to say at times it is good with my soul , but i do learn . there is a saying , be carful what you ask for you might just get it , with God this is true . loving you and yours always , walter , ps , i thank God for Christ first then you ken second cause He used you in my life , Gary do you not see God used your faith to keep me wanting to live and say, i hope it is good with our souls . love you brother
March 2, 2008
I just found your site after much seeking the last 30 days. The Spirit is burning within me as I read your information. Please pray that I will be connected to the Holy Spirit in all things and will have the wisdom to know what to do in my Christian relationships, including church?
February 27, 2008
I just went searching biblically for the truth…
I’ve been a lurker at tentmaker for a few years studying UR and just joined the forums recently. I am a past youth minister at a Baptist church, but the concept of EH always bothered me. In fact, the more I studied hell, the more problems I had with it. I can tell you I tired of watching my group get “re-saved” a couple times a year during youth revival and the such. I also tired of the legalism and tradition in the church…when we have a clear law of love to live by.
Really, I never went looking to convert to UR, just started a detailed side by side study, debated it with those in Church, the Pastor, ect…just to test eternal hell to test my belief.. It took about two years before I professed it. I found the teaching regarding hell so wrong that I let my feelings known. Obvious, I had to leave as the youth minister years ago, but it was something that couldn’t be worked out..Still, trying to find a bible believing UR church, but alas, hard to do. Not interested in the New Age UR movement.
I didn’t find UR, UR found me, I just went searching biblically for the truth and there it was all along. I wasn’t searching for an excuse, something to make me feel good..in fact, my walk with Christ is basically the same.Your info was very helpful. I do send a lot of people to the site and do I use the info there.
Now I strongly debate it. Certainly, not the best, but getting fairly good at it…after all it’s the truth. Still learning how UR deals with many other doctrines other that EH…so if your available, I may bother you again.
December 22, 2007
You are a blessing to the world.
Thank God for You at Tentmaker! You are a real blessing to the world, I have been blessed by your site over a year now, reading on. You’re in for the truth! From Sweden
December 12, 2007
I Can’t Thank You Enough!
First, I LOVE your website! I can’t thank you enough, for having the wisdom and forethought to challenge, with scripture, religious tradition and dogma. My own personal journey with Christ , through study, prayer and reading the scriptures, has had me convinced about ‘universal salvation” for awhile now. I found myself “squirming” in many a church service at the preaching. It all seemed so hateful and intolerant, manipulative, controlling and a major fear factor. It seemed it turned more people away than it gained. I always questioned “why would GOD almighty, leave something as important as eternal salvation or eternal damnation” in the hands of weak, fleshly, hypocritical “men” to share with other human beings. I could not reconcile this. I am emailing to see if you can help me and our family, find a place of worship, which teaches universal salvation.
November 9, 2007
Like a New Dawn to me!
GOD BLESS YOU!!
My name is xxxxxxx, i am from Zagreb, capital of Croatia, a small country in south-eastern Europe.
TODAY I DISCOVERED YOUR SITE AND IT WAS LIKE A NEW DAWN TO ME! I THANK GOD FOR YOU, HE IS CONTINUALLY SAVING ME, AND TODAY HE DID IT THROUGH YOU, LET HIM BE PRAISED FOREVER FOR HIS EVERLASTING KINDNESS !!!!
I GOT BORN AGAIN (got to know God to some extent) AT THE AGE 22 after being a kind of atheist, AND I AM ALMOST 39 NOW.
DURING MY CHRISTIAN LIFE I HAVE BEEN GRADUALLY ADOPTING THE BIBLICAL TEACHING YOU PROCLAIM, EVEN THOUGH I HAVEN’T HAD ANYONE ELSE BESIDE ME GOING THE SAME DIRECTION (AS FAR as THIS CRUCIAL MATTER OF UNIVERSAL SALVATION IS CONCERNED. First I was a member of CHURCH OF CHRIST, and now I am attending another protestant church (pentecostal, not a typical one, since the leaders are becoming more and more oriented esclusively to God himself & His Word, than to any particular doctrine, praise God!). But unfortunately, for now, they still have that Calvinistic attitude that rejects every universalism :-( . SO TODAY I KNOW ONLY 1 OTHER CHRISTIAN LADY BESIDES ME TO SUPPORT MY VIEWS WHICH NOW, AS I CAN TELL SO FAR, COMPLETELY CORRESPOND TO YOURS!! ISN’T IT AMAZING HOW GOD HIMSELF COORDINATE AND BRINGS HARMONY WITHIN HIS CREATION, EVEN THOUGH WE, HIS CHILDREN, ARE FISICALLY FAR AWAY ONE FROM ANOTHER, AND DON’T SEEM TO BE ALWAYS COOPERATE?
PRAISE BE TO HIM ALONE !!! FOR THE LAST YEAR OR SO I HAVE BEEN FEELING SO ON THE WRONG TRACK, SO WIERD, SO ALONE, AND I SLOWLY LET MYSELF LINGERING IN DOUBT AND SPIRITUAL HEAVINESS. INSTEAD OF RISING UP IN FAITH, I WAS IN A STATE OF SPIRITUAL NUMBNESS, TRYING TO FIND A CONFIRMATION AND APPROVAL FOR MY VIEWS FROM MEN (PASTORS , BROTHERS & SISTERS). LATELY I EVEN ALLOWED MYSELF THINKING THAT I AM NOT GOD’S AT ALL BECAUSE I HAVE GONE ASTRAY ADOPTING THIS TWISTED «CHRISTIAN» VIEW.
NEVERTHELESS, DURING ALL THIS TIME, DEEP DOWN I HAD THAT TINY SEED OF FAITH & CONVICTION THAT MY VIEWS MUST BE CORRECT BECAUSE THEY ARE BASED ON THE WRITTEN WORD OF GOD AND PLACED BY GOD HIMSELF INTO MY HEART – AND THAT SOME DAY IT WILL BE REVEALED TO EVERYONE. I BELIEVE GOD HIMSELF ENCOURAGED ME ONE NIGHT COUPLE OF YEARS AGO WHEN HE MADE HIS WORDS FROM THE PROVERBS COME ALIVE WITHIN ME: “THERE IS NO WISDOM, NO INSIGHT, NO PLAN THAT CAN SUCCED AGAINST THE LORD”. BUT I AM ASHAMED TO SAY, I HAVEN’T BEEN FAITHFUL AND STANDING FIRM ON THIS WORD, INSTEAD I LET THE DOUBT, WORRIES AND APATHY GOT THE UPPER HAND. BUT IT DOESN’T MATTER ANY MORE! HE RAISES ME UP AGAIN!! EVERYTHING IN ITS PROPER TIME!!
I THANK GOD FOR YOU, I WILL VISIT YOUR SITE AS MUCH AS I CAN, AND WILL CONTINUE TO STUDY HIS WORD, AND PRAY FOR HIS WILL TO BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN, WHERE JESUS SITS ON HIS THRONE WAITING THAT EVERY ENEMY BE PUT UNDER HIS FEETH. AND THE LAST ENEMY TO BE DEFEATED IS DEATH. AMEN! I WILL NEVER STOP THANKING GOD FOR YOU! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. GOD BLESS YOU AND PROVIDE EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR PROCLAIMING THE TRUTH ON THE NET AND ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD!!!
PRAISE BE TO HIM ALONE FOR EVER AND EVER !!!
October 2, 2007
One’s Upbringing Is Hard To Shake
I grew up in a fundamentalist household but eventually could not reconcile a loving, forgiving God with one who would torture people for eternity. I shared my ”heretical” views with others and was treated as a fallen Christian. One’s upbringing is hard to shake and for years I have had a crisis of faith. Finding others who believe as I do who also see scripture as freeing rather than frightening has helped to renew my faith. I find it troubling that so many Christians have no trouble with the idea of a cruel and sadistic God who would condemn most of his children to eternal suffering. This is a God who is worthy only of fear and not adoration. I am grateful for your knowledge of scripture and its application to a doctrine of universal salvation through Christ. Many Thanks
April 20, 2007
Thank you for all the resources on your TentMaker website.
I am a heathen (= I probably don’t believe that the Bible is the word of God, that Jesus was divine, that God, if he exists, meddles in our lives) but I often read about (and even minored in religious studies) the Bible. Maybe I’m searching. Maybe I’m angry/disgusted at much of what is declared to be “good” and “Christian.”
It’s a real pleasure to read your research, especially the step-by- step reasoning leading to your universalist conclusions, but even more, the TONE of your message is one of generosity, warmth, and inclusion. Because I am not formulating defensive arguments or protecting myself from harsh judgments, I hear what you are saying more clearly.
I will be returning to the site often, and sharing it with others.
Thank you.
April 20, 2007
I like your scholars corner. Good website!
April 19, 2007
I must confess, I owe you a debt of gratitude. In January 2000 I began to actively question the doctrine of eternal punishment. The first Internet site I discovered was your hell site. I read Hanson’s “Bible Hell,” and I’ve never been the same.
April 19, 2007
Hey I LOVE YOUR SITE!!! IT rings with truth and the true Gospel of Good NEWS!! Thank you for preaching the truth for once.. I use to be a man who feared hell and believe me life was hell fearing hell.. No pun intended..lol Well, I don’t believe in hell anymore.. I believe we all go back to God.. Some may experience a darker sphere for a brief time or longer depending on how evil they were.. Like for instance people who have no remorse may stay there for awhile
April 17, 2007
I have already talked to my kids (Margely 13 and Ricardo Jr. 9) about the basic concepts of Christian Universalism. They got it very fast. I am myself fairly new to this teachings.
I can truly say to you that I can never go back again to my old way of thinking. It is OK! I know that people entrenched in religious dogmas will fight this truth to the death. Religion do not like to be told that it is teaching something wrong. This truth is the kind that will cause riots.
As for myself, I am very happy to learn that my Father in heaven is not a Vindictive Sadist who will be sending most humanity to Fry in eternal torment forever.
When I started learning about the truths of universal reconciliation it was like God talking from me 100,000 tons of weight from my soul. I can now pray to God and know that He truly loves me. Before I bowed to God (but I am not sure i loved Him). I was sure I did not want to go to Hell, so therefore I bow to Him.
But now I not only feel true love for Him, but also I know I am love by Him. Why? because if He is capable of Loving All of us (even the unrepentant haters who commit genocide and are sociopaths) even to save them eventually to the outermost, then there is hope for me.
I feel I want to know more and more about my Holy Father now! before i was afraid of knowing him more. Now I want to have a real relationship with Him now. Before I was afraid to have too much communion with Him.
I know that the fact that I came in contact with Your web site and other Christian Universalist web sites is not a coincidence. I know that it was all God doing. I know He is calling me to have a deeper relationship with Him and this was the only way he can accomplish this in my life. I am so greatful to God for allowing such great Web sites like Tentmaker.
Gary, I do not know you, but know this for sure: I love you!
April 13, 2007
Site has given me courage…
I’d like to start out by thanking Gary and all those at Tentmaker.org. When I first felt the Holy Spirit in me years ago, I fell in love. I began to love everybody and the idea of punishment (let alone torture or annihiliation) just didn’t fit in with what I felt alive inside me.
At that time, however, I was frequenting different ‘fundamental’ groups which just didn’t seem to like the idea of universal salvation. (I remember a time when at a Bible study I was asked to state what saves us. I said ‘grace!’ But they wanted me to say, ‘faith!’ -See the difference? They wanted to believe that grace doesn’t save! ) And although I ‘saw it’ all over the place in the Bible that we ALL are God’s, and that He will have a glorious creation with ALL of us there in the end, I felt quite alone. (Free will was a doctrine that led to a lot of frustration for me since I felt the love of God and wanted others to feel it. It was frustrating to see so many snicker and refuse such love!)
Anyway, I wanted to say that this site has given me the courage to really stand on what I’ve felt in my heart since that day in 1990: that God’s love really IS bigger than our own love, and when He wants us, He’ll call us. And like Paul, we won’t be able but to respond: ‘Here I am Lord!’ (What happened to Paul will happen to all!)
I understand how many don’t want to believe that all will be saved. A preacher was once asked if he could believe in universal salvation. His reply? “I could believe it, but I wouldn’t dare preach it. I’d lose my congregation!”
They say that it’s a devilish doctrine. But I ask, if God hasn’t already saved all, then why did Jesus say, “I have come to save the world.” Was He lying? Did He fail? -I think not. In fact, His last words were, “It is finished.”
P.S. And what’s all that about the vail of the Temple being torn from top to bottom?? Looks to me like the Holy of Holies is no longer separated from the rest of the world! Dear friends, I think we really still don’t understand exactly what happened that glorious, glorious day on Calvary..!
April 7, 2007
Impressed with your web site.
I HAVE BEEN DEEPLY IMPRESSED WITH YOUR WEB SITE AND THE LEVEL OF SCHOLARSHIP! THANK GOD THE BIBLICAL TRUTH OF UNIVERSALISM IS BEING EXPRESSED IN SUCH A SOBER AND REASONABLE WAY.
March 26, 2007
My theological ship just sank…I am thrilled and overjoyed!
Dear Friends, I am a minister who recently was enlightened with the “sonship” truth and universal reconciliation. I need your advice, words of wisdom and encouragement, and most importantly, I need your prayers. My theological ship has sank. After years of Bible study, I now realize that I know nothing. I am thrilled and overjoyed. I praise God for this revelation. Now what? I have so many questions. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
March 23, 2007
I beat upon my chest in anguish earlier tonight -for I was at the end -in despair -thinking I was lost for good. All sites seemed to say I was condemned forever, while the last one quoted much scripture saying that and proving somehow, that only a special few overcomers would make it -while the rest would be tormented day and night for all eternity, and I was clearly the worst kind of reprobate. then i came back to computer and gave it one last shot. I typed “work out our salvation with fear and trembling, bible verse” into google and hit tentmaker, the second from top link. Oh how I long to serve Him faithfully, as a vessel unto righteousness! I have stayed up all night and tired. thanks again and I look forward to your reply.
February 11, 2007
Grateful Prisoner
Hello, I was recently incarserated within the confines of the Texas Dept. of Criminal Justice (prison) and during that time you were gracious enough to forward many helpfull items that benefited the Kingdom of God in me. One of these was a book by Madame Guyon, and also the many teachings of truth lead by the Spirit, of which are contained in your ministry which is also His. I would desire you to know that these truths did not go undeveloped and that every effort to forward these materials was and is being rewarded ten fold in the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus. Please contact me if I can be of help in any way. I am currently getting back on my feet but I will not soon forget your love.
February 7, 2007
Life Saving Message
By means of your web-site I am a recently converted Biblical-Universalist. I am so thankful to the Lord that I came across this web-site when I did. As a traditional Christian I had lost my love for God and even attempted suicide. I may very well owe my life to Gary Amirault. Thank you for everything you are doing. It has blessed me and my friends more than I could have ever thought possible. However, I have not studied my Bible for some time. Could you recomend a Universalist Bible-study aid (preferrably a book) and a good Bible to go with it? Thanks! P.S.- I would love to speak with Gary Amirault sometime.
February 5, 2007
From a prisoner:
It was such a blessing to receive the material you sent me. Thank you!
My relationship with God has been an eye opening (dramatic insight) experience?I’m just now waking up to divine sonship. I have lived the term, psychology of hate. I hated the justice system. I hated the inhabitants (inmates and officials) of it. I hated certain parties of this American government. I hated family members and I hated myself?
In 2002 I became an atheist, then converted to Islam. In the summer of 2005 I reverted back to Jesus Christ?As I said earlier, in 2005 is when I surrendered and cried out to Jesus! In the midst of my adversity like (Job 19:25-27) ?I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and after my body has decayed, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another.? I asked God to take away my suffering and He said no. Your suffering will take your mind off of the cares of the world and bring you closer to Me. So when I asked God to teach me to love myself and other people the way You love me, God said, ?Ah, finally you’re getting the idea.?
So where is my relationship with the Father? My heart leaps within me as I contemplate this wonderful reality ? being changed into the image of God and to put on incorruptibility to meet the first born son personally, commune with him intimately, be joined vitally with him in union of his mind, nature, and life and continue to walk in the light and glory of who he is. (Although I never took anyone’s physical life, but no I understand I psychologically destroyed lives. I’m not where I need to be, but I’m not where I used to be.?
January 4, 2007
Hi Tentmaker Ministries
I am more an agnostic than a Christian these days largely because of the “Hell-fire” preachers who really don’t believe what they preach – surely if they really believed in hell they’d be on every street corner yelling their lungs out trying to save people from being eternally tormented by God. I found your website by following a link to your expose of Ron Wyatt and his self-delusional “scam” (is it a scam if you’re deluded? Or just a tragic mistake?) I followed the link to the Universalism discussion and was reminded again of what Christ had tried to do (only faith knows if he’ll succeed), that he’d come for all of us. Maybe he was wrong – I am a doubter after all – but I’ve respect for his mission.
Anything less is really just calling God an evil Tormentor, a Punisher who is worse than us morally because we can forgive.
Frank Tipler (and C.S.Lewis) makes the point that the gift of freedom might mean that God will be spending an eternity to get us out of our private Hell, but He’s big enough to manage that task, I think.
sincerely
January 27, 2007
Hello friend of the Master, I have believed this truth always, We have a loving Father in Heaven,For Christ died for all, not some but All. For through Adam, all Shall die, through Christ, all are made alive, not some, All. I am a long time reader of the Dawn bible students publications and what you wrote about Hell is simple and Christ like in teaching. I have come very close to death twice in my 39 years on this planet through two major heart valve surgerys in the last four years, so I guess that qualifys me to walk the walk. Keep up Your great work, you made my year!!!!! Yours in our Masters presence,
January 12, 2007
I want to thank you for feeding my spirit with your writing. I have prayed for the truth and it has come through you. I am able to share what you have written with others who normally shut off any talk of Jesus and the Bible, but when you speak that Hell is propaganda by the church as well as the other fallacies they listen. So know you are reaching men in here. Of course the church guys are turned off. I no longer participate in those things. I am no saint, but I do the best I can, and allow God to direct me. He has opened doors for me that were unopenable. He knows me, and uses me. Thank you for all you have done for my Mom and Dad.
January 8, 2007
from a prisoner in Wisconsin.
I received your literature from a friend and was deeply moved by your writings. I was hoping if by anyway, you can send me any of your writings from the past or in the present at hand? Your views have broadened my mind and spirit to be filled with eagerness to learn more. This would be a blessing if possible, if I can receive your literature whenever you have some available. Thank you for your time of this matter. God Bless you, respectfully