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!
December 5, 2011
I have great faith in Biblical universalism…Your videos have inspired me greatly and have given me more faith in God. I go to a Christian school and everyone there believes in eternal damnation. I know too many people who turn away from God because of this teaching. My father also has issues with believing in God because he has a difficult time understanding the contradictions that “orthodox Christians” hold. I plan on writing a very long article about biblical universalism for my school project…There is a sincerity that Ifind from Christians who preach universal salvation (like you) that I just don’t see in Christians who preach Hell all the time. Thanks, Yiyi
November 28, 2011
Thank you for your videos. They help me understand that God truly will save everybody. Since accepting this idea, I feel like I can truly love and trust God. I also love others more freely because I now realize God’s love for them is so powerful and unconditional.
November 28, 2011
Been a believer in Hell for 23 years. Been in depression and suicidal over a period of 8 years, blaming the devil. Just discovered through His leading your site and others on Universal salvation. What can I say!? please pray for me to come through into clear understanding and have the lies understood and rooted out. Thanks for the site
November 3, 2011
Kept Me from Committing Suicide
“Your teachings (not that they are “yours”) have changed my life. After putting up with the doubletalk and confusion I experienced in a Baptist church (which I point out was a church full of intelligent and lovely people for whom I still have admiration and respect) I just found it harder and harder to keep the ideas together in my mind. My suspicion is that Christians encounter reality in Jesus Christ, which is something so real that even when their theology causes them confusion and angst, they choose to withstand the trauma and dilemma because they think that to do otherwise would be tantamount to forsaking their faith. They cope amidst theological crisis generated by hell by adopting beliefs such as: “God is chastening me”, “God is mysterious, I am a mere man”, “I must have more faith”, “it does not need to make sense” etc., or worse, they see their intellectual suffering as being a form of spiritual maturity even though it is simply a consequence of the diabolical ideas they have of God.
If a person genuinely believes in the doctrine of eternal torment and is prepared to accept the double talk of many teachers such as “God is love, but He is also holy” i.e. “Look out, it is not all Good News!”, then it takes the scope for emotional suffering to a level beyond what people can cope with. I can personally attest to the fact that if a person genuinely believes that they or a loved one is going to hell, they go insane, become cold and indifferent, become dissociative or develop some other coping mechanism. So much for the Truth setting one free…
As a case on point, one person I have known since my childhood, a highly intelligent bible translator, has battled with severe mental illness for years and I am quite suspicious this is partly because of his views of God and Jesus. I believe he has experienced the reality of the Jesus, but I believe he has developed layers of thinking and adopted highly complicated yet convoluted theological beliefs in an effort to settle his troubled mind (he is an ardent Calvinist by the way, and a huge fan of Spurgeon and Rushdoony). People see him as wise and a man of great integrity, yet he made an attempt on his own life in the 1980s, and was also hospitalised 8 years ago because he was suicidal…
The doctrine of hell allows people to act in this way without reservation, because they look at the perceived stakes (eternal bliss or eternal torment) and conclude that all behaviours are acceptable in obeying God’s mandate or obedience (i.e. following the Law). Love and grace somehow become less important than “God’s Law”, and the result is truly toxic. It also creates Christians that are split, as they cannot keep all the laws, so they pick and choose ones which they can uphold better than the others. I suspect this is why certain sins are more accepted in the church than others. If you swear or cuss, that is treated severely because people can learn to not swear without particular effort. If on the other hand you treat your wife badly, that is considered a more difficult sin to deal with and is rarely attacked with the same fervour (in my short experience).
This person now blogs frequently on social decay in the Western World and preaches that our society must implement God’s Law or face doom. He condemns abortion, which is patently hypocritical for reasons I will not divulge (he also secretly empathises with the plight of the shooter in Norway). I do not feel angry at him, I actually feel sorry for him, and I feel shame at my own life when I look at his. I have the same tendencies to be legalistic and hypocritical and had it not been for Tentmaker, I would have gone down exactly the same path. That is, had I maintained a belief in eternal torment, I would have felt perfectly justified in being an absolute tyrant in my dealings with my loved ones (“There are more important and pressing things at stake – the world is going to hell!”). It would not (and did not) produce kindness or mercy in me; it did (and would have continued to) do the opposite!
I hope I have not wasted your time in writing to you at length, but I suspect you get tired of personal attacks and outright aggression towards your teachings (I once told my bible group about universalism, and it was met with resistance or silence from nearly all of them). Please keep in mind that I strongly suspect your website may have prevented my own suicide, and more likely prevented me from becoming completely insane from the terror and fear of hell.
October 31, 2011
Parrotting What Priests Tell Them
I visit your website almost everyday and I would just like to thank you for all the info you’ve been sharing. I agree with you that a loving God wouldn’t even allow such a horrific place such as hell to exist. All my friends call me crazy or even sometimes a heretic but then again they’re just parotting what their priests tell them. Again thank you so much. You have helped me on my journey to find Christ.
October 31, 2011
Father sending His own children into a “lake of fire?”
Just wanted to say that I have always struggled with the idea of loving a “Father” who would cast His own children into a “Lake of Fire” for all eternity. After reading your article on that very subject, I must say I like what I have read and agree with you. Thank you for your help.
October 27, 2011
Given Up On Christianity
I had given up on religion and Christ specifically until I read some of your literature and realized “judgement and hell” are not all there is in Christianity.
October 21, 2011
Can’t Take Me Back To Hell
For some, the fact that God would draw/drag all men to Himself is too good to be true. The highest hurdle for some to climb is believing God is love and in Him is no variation or shadow of turning. We often can’t see past our depravity to see His provision for our fallen state. I’m so glad I’m no longer bound by this “but-head” (goat analogy, not an insult) theology. In the past I was so afraid of God and hell and His threat of punishment, that I often punished myself for Him. I thought perhaps if I was despondent enough or hated myself enough for my sin, He would have mercy. There is no way any one or anything could get me to go back to that mentality, and they do try. God is good. Love wins. His plan will be fulfilled. Hallelujah!
October 12, 2011
Would Not Be Alive…
How I appreciate your labor, your willingness to go beyond the traditions of men and seek His truth, with scholarship, integrity, and the Holy Spirit as teacher and guide. Am SO grateful that the Lord has allowed me to benefit from your effort as my job as a nurse and mother has not left the time to do much more than feast from the tables set by others – yourselves. I would not be alive today without the knowledge of His ultimate reconciliation – would not have been able to live with the anguish of watching the world around me, one by one, going to “traditional” hell. How great is His mercy and grace!! Thank you again for sharing your work. With joy and anticipation in Him. Pamela
October 12, 2011
Kept Sane By Christian Universalism
A few years ago, Mr. Amirault, your site saved my sanity in my own search. On February 3, 2005, I sat cross legged in the bed beside my brother, holding his hand as he died a lingering, horrible death.
I don’t have to tell you the absolute horror and mind shrieking silent scream of pain that ripped through me as he took his last breath. Those who have walked this path know that agony, those who have yet to face that absolute reality of mortality do not, and cannot truly understand it as we do. There are no words to describe what it does to you, to the depths of our being.
It began my earnest search for real truth, just as you describe in this message. While my brother had rededicated his life to God during his battle with cancer, there are those who teach that, unless you LIVE it in this life, it does not count. Knowing my brother had lived a life of rebellion, it haunted me to no end.
In my search, I found countless books and websites that seemed to GLEEFULLY describe the pains and agonies and tortures of hell in lurid detail. The authors seemed to take great joy in describing hell, tempering it, of course, with a short altar call description of Jesus, but the main focus was on the negative message of eternal torment.
www. tentmaker.org truly saved my sanity. It is sad that this site is so outnumbered by the ones that fully embrace the dark, depressing, and discouraging tales of hell, but I thank God for you in having the courage to continue to stand in the face of such darkness, boldly proclaiming Light and love. The real hope and love of God that you have shared here cannot be underestimated.
I pray that anyone who comes here will be touched by the depths of God’s love that knows no bounds! May they be healed by this message of real Agape love, have their fears eased and their understanding of truth expanded in ways they cannot imagine. God bless you for faithfully standing on the truth of God’s love and for sharing that truth in the face of the darkest most misguided teaching of the church that springs from the dark ages of human history.
September 15, 2011
Piece of Mind That’s Been Missing
I listened to a couple of the audio’s in loves corner, they were very moving, and the web site is great! I have always loved God and always felt his presence in my life, yet could I never call myself a Christian because I never believed in the way most Christian based faiths would have you believe. I never understood how a person could live his or her life from a good place and yet maybe because they believed differently they were going to burn in Hell. And because I know that God knows my heart I could never pretend to believe the same things because the way I see it that would make me a hypercritical person. I have been on this journey a long time and now feel that I am getting the peace of mind that’s been missing. Thank You and God bless. Catherine.
September 8, 2011
“thanks gary for your tentmaker website! the books you have for free there have made it really easy for me research the word aion and read about the origin and history of “hell”. Nothing that i’ve learned in my entire christians life has made me feel more at peace and FREE and i’m seeing God in such a different light! I had no idea there was scriptual backing for universalism.” Sarah
September 8, 2011
Mr. Amirault your website was the beginning to opening my eyes to biblical universalism. Thank you, your video about the Lake of Fire started it all for me. I looked up basanos and I was amazed that everything you said was true. Daniel
September 8, 2011
Gary, I remember the time when God revealed to my wife and I, simply through Bible reading, that the doctrine of the escapist rapture was not scriptural. My wife convinced me that this was not necessarily a truth whose time had come and that many people were not ready for it. I can certainly have fellowship with people who disagree with me on such issues. I can also have communion with those who do not agree with me as to ultimate reconciliation but the fact is, that when it comes to this understanding of God and His Nature, one cannot and must not withhold the revelation which God Himself has sent. This goes beyond doctrine and belief and delves to the very heart of our knowing The Father. It truly divides the soul and spirit like bone and marrow. I remember Andrew Jukes booklet, “The restoration of All Things”, which I first received in the 1970’s, he spoke of how our concept and understanding of God affected our relationship with Him and with men. If we have an Augustinian predilection we will be hard toward others. I cannot speak as to our church forefathers and as to whether or not they were sincere in their beliefs, but by the fruit of their works I know that either they had an agenda to control the masses or they were led astray by deceiving spirits. I can think of no other source which would cause men of faith to condemn unbaptized infants, as well as most of the world, to the horrors of hell. For years I have seen this and known it in my spirit yet I feared the idea of its teaching was an offshoot of Universalism and would lead to other paths to God which I could not justify by the scriptures. I am so happy that God has supplied me with Tentmaker and all of it’s resources to show that all the scriptures are true and that the God of the New Testament is the same as the God of the Old. We have been taught to fear the old and love the new. What does that tell us, except that we misunderstand the basic nature of God? I thank Him that He is never-changing and that ALL of His promises are yea and amen. There is no other way, there is no other name, there is no need for anything save Jesus Christ our Savior. May God continue to bless you and your family. Thanks for being there. Love in Christ – Mark
August 19, 2011
First Glimmer of Hope…
I counseled a lady today whose son committed suicide. Her brother had an argument with her and told her that her son is burning in hell. Oh my goodness, the Holy Spirit rose up in me and all the salvation for all scriptures poured out of me. Thank you Jesus that you have given me this awesome good news. When we finished our conversation this dear lady had the first glimmer of hope that she has had in a while. Thank you Lord for your love!
July 28, 2011
I have read ‘Universalism Is Not In The Bible?’ many times and must thank you from the deepest depths of my heart. I have always held to this truth and your paper put in words what I could never. Well done and thanks again. Darren
July 24, 2011
Suffered Tithing Abuse
The article on tithing was great I have struggled with this a long while. I have been persecuted, because of finances, have tithed and it was not enough to the Pastor.
July 17, 2011
universalism is the faith of the heart
I just wanted to thank you for your wonderful website. It has been a study aide to me as I wade through and question my own faith. I believe universalism is the faith of the heart — the heart knows the truth when it meets Jesus — and the Christianity in the world today breaks my heart. So your website stands as a beacon of light and love, and I am so grateful for it. I would love to know more about resources for churches and communities! Sean
June 26, 2011
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.
April 21, 2011
learning of the all inclusive love of God and false teachings about an eternal burning hell liberated me in ways I cannot begin to put into words. thank you for this video, God bless tentmaker and all of your loving teachers for bringing truth back into our hearts.
April 20, 2011
“I thank God for Gary and Michelle Amirault, hosts of tentmaker.org. Their website has been a great blessing to me for over 12 years now. When I was a missionary in Senegal, West Africa in the 90’s, the wonderful resources on their website greatly helped confirm to my heart the truth of the “Blessed Hope” or “Victorious Gospel” as they like to express it. Gary and Michelle’s passion and commitment to proclaim this awesome GOOD NEWS truly inspires me. I know of no other ministry that has done more to make this wonderful message known to the world. In addition to their ministry, I thank God for the special friends they have become to me.” Gerry Beauchemin
December 28, 2010
I thank God for you once again. Brother Gary i don’t have words to appreciate what the LORD is doing through you to set us free. It is my prayer that the LORD will also work in us to set others free. For quite a long time i have been struggling within myself with “the Bible says.” When a preacher preaches about tithe, he tells us that ‘that is the word of God’ after quoting some scriptures. But i have always wondered why the same minister will not urge his listeners to sell all that they have and lay all the money at the apostles’ feet! Truly the Word of God is Jesus Christ. Thanks for increasing my knowledge of the truth! I am being set free! I must say that since i connected with you i have a very strong desire to read the Bible. And my joy has increased tremendously. Yes the Bible is not the word of God: “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”
December 3, 2010
Thank you so much for the work you are doing to promote the message of God’s relentless love. I am extremely grateful for the books you sent me. My family and I have used them in bible studies with several of our friends and found their worth to be incalculable. These works represent a much needed philosophical and theological deconstruction of the dominant script of unmerciful wrath and vengeful hatred of which I have shamefully followed in the past. Thankfully, God has placed me on an alternate trajectory toward understanding the counter script of His love and grace to ALL. Please continue sounding the trumpet of God’s true plan for humanity. By His grace, Jonathan
December 3, 2010
Hello Gary,
I received your books sometime ago. At first I was a skeptic. I was not raised in church, in fact when I received The LORD’S forgiveness I was 22 and the preacher was a man named C.C. Colter 80 years young, he preached on the prohibition of liquor after the turn of the century, since then 35 years has past. The church I attended was a Church of God from the reformation movement founded by D.S. Warner. This church was Pastored by a good man but very legalistic and strong on the teachings of eternal damnation, and you could lose your salvation but could regain it again and then lose it etc. What I am trying to say is I was like many who wanted to question the eternal damnation doctrine but was afraid to be deceived by the wolves in sheep’s clothing. After 30 years of teaching and preaching this doctrine I no longer do this in fact it has been over a year since I have attended a church service. I am somewhat angry at myself for not doing this years ago. I much to sort through in the teachings I have accepted.
I did read your books several times in fact with much scrutiny. I appreciate the attitude that came through firm but loving and kind. I have passed on some of the books and some of my preacher friends have seemed to broken fellowship with me but at this point it is alright. I will be visiting your website. Thank You, Scott
December 8, 2010
a blessing bro. to have been brought into the light of His plans for all of mankind and the revelation of just what His love is really like..You are one of the very best of God’s production of his truth in this time and for me to be a part of it is very humbling indeed..Love bro. richard
December 1, 2010
Dear Gary, My name is Grant Taylor. I am a 19 year old college freshmen from Arkansas. Over the last year of my life I have been undergoing a huge battle of faith almost identical to the one you talk about in your YouTube videos. I was tormented by the idea that God was going to send most of mankind to an everlasting fire. I came within inches of renouncing my faith in the Lord. But then, I came across a website that talked about aion meaning age, and it mentioned a philosophy called Universalism. From there, I discovered the Tentmaker site. And everything changed! I learned about verses that call Christ the Savior of ALL mankind, that say ALL shall be made alive, that say death will be destroyed. Our God is a truly amazing God, and your ministry service made me see it! I thank God for you and your testimony! sincerely, Grant
November 30, 2010
Wow! Thank you so much for this article. I was awake all night wrestling with these ideas and determined I would get up and try to find out the earliest writers and how things have progressed or regressed. And, lo and behold, there was your article to answer questions I have had for years and the ‘restoration of all things’ was key to my focus. I will be keeping in touch. Meantime, I have been writing some articles myself which I must finish and this has certainly given me much encouragement to finish with more assurance. God Bless You, Resting in His Finished Work, Sylvia
November 23, 2010
Now i am learning. I have been combing through the scriptures for over 15 years but i understood NOTHING! I thank the LORD for leading me to this web. I am learning and my spiritual eyes are being opened.
November 24, 2010
I am writing an article on why there really isn’t a Christian hell as described by fundamentalist and other Christian preachers, pastors, ministers, priests, etc. Really, you have so many resources on your website. Also, there are many resources at the website “What the hell is hell” [I don’t know if you are affiliated]. I would like to know if I am able to quote form your books and articles. Although I am not a professional writer I will do my best to do a scholarly and worthwhile article. Thank you in advance for your assistance. Elizabeth PS – Your site has helped me immensely and my fear of hell, as preached during my time at an Independent Fundamentalist Baptist church, has left me entirely. Thank you for your valuable service to humankind. Without this website I might still be living in fear. I have referred several people in the hope that they would become confident in the knowledge that Hell really isn’t in the Bible.
November 24, 2010
Thank you, you have given me relief. I have been studying your website today and most of the night. I was very close to taking my own life because of guilt. I can see better now. This was holding me down and I could not free myself from the thoughts of all of my relatives who never really knew Christ and that they would be tormented for ever while I somehow got away from Hell because I came to America and learned of the Love that God has for us. Now I can rest easy this night knowing that if I die this night and through natural causes that I will see my loved ones again. I also feared hell as a literal place, but was willing to die and go there knowing that God had sent most if not all of the people that I love and hold near my heart. I Love God and want to do good in his eyes and I want him to love me and I am sure that he wants to do good to me and not evil to me. Thank You for having this website and showing me the error of my ways. Thanks be to God that he has opened your eyes and you have done the same for me.
September 28, 2010
Thank you…from the bottom of my heart. And I thank God Almighty for His teachings through you. Though still overwhelmingly encompassed by the “burn ’em forever” masses, this revelation of God’s universal reconciliation has been like a massive rainbow landing dab in the center of a prison cell. It is how we spell r-e-l-i-e-f and r-e-s-t and p-e-a-c-e and j-o-y!…
Regardless of my “gut sense,” this glorious revelation of God’s ultimate plan opened before me is a genuine blessing! I now hope to be granted deeper understanding of scripture that specifically flags this dark condition afflicting the majority of Christ’s followers who ignorantly denigrate His promise to conquer All of the devil’s work and make ALL things new. You are a lovely servant of Christ. May God richly bless your efforts for His holy purpose. Your sister in Christ, Sandy.
June 15, 2010
When I was young, before studying the scriptures I always believed God loved me no matter what. I always felt safe and secure with knowing He was a God of love. I miss that child-like faith and pray that it returns to me. Anyway, when I became 25 years old I got curious about God and my grandmother sent me a booklet on how to get saved. When I read it, it was like being hit with a ton of bricks. It basically gave the traditional steps for salvation and said that I had to do it if I didn’t want to spend an eternity in hell. I remember that day well because my heart broke. I already thought that I WAS saved in the sense that i would be with God when I died. Didn’t have a clue the steps to salvation. I was soooo mad at God (and afraid of Him at the same time) because if, — what that pamphlet said was true, then if I would’ve died before knowing this- I would’ve went to HELL! I felt soooo betrayed and hurt and scared. I cried for weeks.
My husband got upset with me and told me not to read the bible anymore. But I did. And when I would, I would just get so scared and angry with God. I tried to live for Him, but I couldn’t trust Him with hell hanging over my head. To shorten this story, I had a nervous breakdown. I couldn’t get it out of my mind, couldn’t focus on daily living activities. I literally went nuts. Carla. (We are praying and sharing with Carla and we’re convinced she will be healed.)
June 15, 2010
I lost my son in 2008. He was only 25. He wasn’t walking with the Lord at the time, so I had many questions about his eternal security. Fortunately I had come across your website the year before and had read about the blessed hope. I wasn’t convinced at the time. I wanted to believe but my tradition said not to. I also wasn’t prepared to take any backlash I might get from my christian friends. The loss of my son David changed all of that.
I knew that there was no way I could continue to worship and serve a God who would punish my beloved son with eternal punishment. It didn’t make sense.
Thank you for your ministry and helping me to see that God really is all loving and compassionate. I hope that this is a real comfort to you during your time of mourning. Your brother, Paul
May 28, 2010
“Gary, I have looked at your website and seen many of your videos on you tube. Brilliant! Really opened my eyes!” Cindy
May 18, 2010
Comment: I am freaked out( in a good way)about your position on God’s plan of salvation for all men, and yet you still believe in the Word of God (bible), but I can see the Holy Spirit has lead you into the truth of the Logos, in spite of mistranslations of the english version in certain passages. I too have felt this way for a long time, and I’ve just starting to read interlinear aramaic greek nt bibles and word studies. I have been a christian for a long time and I attend church, and I am starting my own (the Lord & me ) jail ministry. I also am called to minister to everyone, I started to feel like Elijah for a while till I found your site. A lot of Inclusionist & Universalist are not Christ & Holy Spirit centered like you are. I am 56 yrs old, and I am this past year finally going to accept the call to spread the “good news”. I have held a deacon’s position in prev times and played in the praise worship band. For the past 25 yrs I have quit off & on going to church many many times, because of the “traditions of men ” even though the churches claimed those scriptures too. I’ve been a business man for over 32 yrs, and a year ago my little empire has crumbled, and I’ve lost most of the material things in my wife’s and my life. But I believe the Lord had his hand in it, to get my attention to seek Him out in deeper way, and in so doing I have stumbled across your site. I would love to hear from you, I know you are busy, but if you get a moment please drop me a line, Gods’ richest blessings to you and your wife & ministry, In Christ love, Mike
May 17, 2010
appreciate (more than words can say) the extensive research that Gary has done on this ignored topic. I know of no one that has any more passion and determination to convince the erring church and world that God indeed loves all. Thank you Gary for your sweat, blood, and tears. Hope to discuss this with you in person someday.
May 17, 2010
Thank you so much for the work you have posted on the Internet. You are like a breath of fresh air to the soul. I really needed to hear this. :)
May 17, 2010
“Thanks, Gary for the Tentmaker posts. You have made an indellible impact on my newfound life of freedom in Christ. Keep the Love.”
May 5, 2010
Comment: I read the whole book Christ Triumphant on your website. I can already say it is the most life-changing book I’ve ever read. I laughed and cried. Over a theological treatise? You bet. I am going to order copies to show to my Arminian, Calvinist, and agnostic friends, as well as my little sister whose agnostic boyfriend recently committed suicide. Thank you for keeping this hope alive. I will continue to study to show myself approved. Elizabeth J.
March 14, 2010
“hello Gary, it’s great to be your friend on facebook,and i support jesus will save all.I have been brought up in a pentecostal church since the age of 3 ,and still do attend a pentecostal church(c 3 hope )our pastor knows what my views are on the fundamental views on eternal hell. As a young person growing up until a young adult I have been brought up fearing that if i didn’t make it to the very end righteously that i would burn for all eternity, but as i get older the more totally ridiculous this concept is. My oldest brother Steve was the person who actually showed me the truth on how Jesus is the saviour of all ,not the potential saviour, and Steve put me on to tentmakers,I have even had some of the boys from work( who haven’t accepted Jesus yet) go to tentmakers for a look,as they won’t go near a church. I now live loving God much more as i think before i feared God ,more than loved God, and my love for Jesus has gone through the roof. God Jesus and Holy Spirit are truly awesome we are all in good hands. thanks for all your input on tentmakers its been liberating. Gary thanks again.”