Universalism

[KingsGambit]

Universalists are very good at philosophy, mainly because they are very bad at scripture interpretation. There are some verses and concepts you can take out of context to make an argument for universalism, but Jesus made perfectly clear that some will not be saved. Also note Hebrews 3:11: "They will never enter my rest."

I don't think there's anything wrong with hoping everybody will be saved, because 2 Peter 3:9 says the same thing. But when you outright say that it will happen, it becomes a problem.

(This is a very hot topic right now in theology because David Bentley Hart's much anticipated book arguing for universalism is coming out this fall... so I expect to be hearing more discussion about universalism online.)

Edit: Literally two minutes after I posted, I saw that a friend of mine just posted on FB that he is going to publish a critical review of Hart's book in a theological journal. Talk about coincidences.

[Christianbookworm]

What about people who don't want to be saved? One person's utopia is another person's dystopia....

[Cow Poke]

United Methodist.

However, perhaps this particular church needs people like me to challenge what they preach!?

I wish that there was hope in that regard, but when a church goes down the path of embracing homosexuality, especially at the behest of their denomination, there is no going back.

[mossrose]

United Methodist.

However, perhaps this particular church needs people like me to challenge what they preach!?

You said you've already challenged some things, and nothing has changed. There comes a time to shake the dust off your feet and move on if your efforts to show error are not accepted.

[Christian3]

Our Methodist "guest pastor" sermon on the radio this past Sunday morning was the parable of the Good Samaritan, and how that was a lesson for us to be kinder and more accepting of the "LBGTQ-plus community". And that's how the guest pastor pronounced it numerous times - kinda slowing down and very clearly enunciating "L B G T Q Plus community". He explained that his 'sexual orientation' gave him greater insight into the scriptures than his colleagues.

Methodist again.

[Christian3]

maybe its time to find a new church. What denomination is it?

United Methodist.

However, perhaps this particular church needs people like me to challenge what they preach!?

[Leonhard]

You have a herd? Of.... those green things with yellow wigs?

I can't be in a herd, I'm in a flock.

[mossrose]

While speaking at Grace Cathedral—an Episcopal church in San Francisco—he was directly asked about his stance on gay marriage and he offered the following response:

“I am for marriage. I am for fidelity. I am for love, whether it’s a man and woman, a woman and a woman, a man and a man. I think the ship has sailed and I think the church needs — I think this is the world we are living in and we need to affirm people wherever they are.”

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[Bill the Cat]

Tell me more. My church wanted to be able to marry homosexuals.

While speaking at Grace Cathedral—an Episcopal church in San Francisco—he was directly asked about his stance on gay marriage and he offered the following response:

“I am for marriage. I am for fidelity. I am for love, whether it’s a man and woman, a woman and a woman, a man and a man. I think the ship has sailed and I think the church needs — I think this is the world we are living in and we need to affirm people wherever they are.”

[Cow Poke]

Tell me more. My church wanted to be able to marry homosexuals.

Our Methodist "guest pastor" sermon on the radio this past Sunday morning was the parable of the Good Samaritan, and how that was a lesson for us to be kinder and more accepting of the "LBGTQ-plus community". And that's how the guest pastor pronounced it numerous times - kinda slowing down and very clearly enunciating "L B G T Q Plus community". He explained that his 'sexual orientation' gave him greater insight into the scriptures than his colleagues.

[mossrose]

Tell me more. My church wanted to be able to marry homosexuals.

You need to find a different church.

[Sparko]

Tell me more. My church wanted to be able to marry homosexuals.

maybe its time to find a new church. What denomination is it?

[Christian3]

I wouldn't trust anything Rob Bell writes.

And if someone were teaching something that he wrote I would be gone.

I understand that Bell lost 3,000 members of his church over this book, "Love Wins."

[Christian3]

No. Rob Bell wrote that book to excuse practicing homosexuals of their sin.

Tell me more. My church wanted to be able to marry homosexuals.

[Christian3]

Some part of me wishes that universalism was true. My heard knows it is not.

Yeah. It would stop me worrying about some of my friends and family members who are not believers.