The Narrow Path Ministries

So, since listening to Steve's fine lectures "Beyond End Times", I've been fascinated by Christian Universalism. I'm not sold on it, but I'm interested enough to at least become more familiar with it. Most of my friends have only ever heard of the Eternal Conscious Torment option.

I just finished reading If Grace is True: Why God Will Save Every Person by Philip Gulley and James Mulholland. I'll save everyone else a read...it's not worth it. Instead of presenting (what I hoped would be) a scriptural case for the doctrine of Christian (?) Universalism, it instead opted to go the "it just *feels* right" direction.

So...I'm looking for a book recommendation for a good one on this topic. Anyone?

-Seth

Sorry no recommendations, but

We had a pretty good discussion about the eternity of hell here... http://www.wvss.com/forumc/viewtopic.php?t=113&start=30

Also, I was translating John 3:16 today and my heart stopped as I came upon the word apollumi. In many Bible translations John 3:16 will read, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." The word "perish" comes from the Greek word apollumi which means to destroy utterly, kill, slay, to demolish, waste, to perish utterly. That doesn't sound too hopeful to me.

Also, every time you see the word "world" in English bear in mind that it can mean order. Jesus died for the order - kosmos.

Also, I was translating John 3:16 today and my heart stopped as I came upon the word apollumi. In many Bible translations John 3:16 will read, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." The word "perish" comes from the Greek word apollumi which means to destroy utterly, kill, slay, to demolish, waste, to perish utterly. That doesn't sound too hopeful to me.

Wow. That's heavy. I wonder what the universalists on the forum think of that. Should be interesting.


God bless,

Seth,

I have heard Paidion and others highly recommend "The Inescapable Love of God" by Thomas Talbot.

You can read selected chapters HERE

It's on my list of books to buy.

God bless,

Seth,

Here is a book, out of print, that is a debate between two learned men on the subject. A little expensive but worth it if you're interested in hearing both sides. It is considered a classic and you can probably sell it on ebay and get most or all your money back.

http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDet ... 14%26y%3D9

Homer,

Is the annihilationist side presented as well, or just Eternal Conscious Torment and Universal Reconciliation?

Derek wrote:Seth,

I have heard Paidion and others highly recommend "The Inescapable Love of God" by Thomas Talbot.

You can read selected chapters HERE

It's on my list of books to buy.

God bless,

I've read several books on this subject. My favorite is the one that Derek mentions here. Thomas Talbot is a professor of philosophy. He presents a compelling philosophical and scriptural argument in favor of Universal Reconciliation.

Todd

Seth,

Check this out! And it is free to read or print but many pages (also considered to be a classic by Harvard, no less):

http://www.cimmay.us/pdf/carpenter_hughes.pdf

Rae,

I don't recall the anihilationist view being discussed.

Seth,

Here's another that I have read that is pretty good too on the subject. His approach is primarily scriptural. The author was a Dutch Reformed pastor.

The One Purpose of God, by Jan Bonda

Todd

So...I'm looking for a book recommendation for a good one on this topic. Anyone?



If you go to tentmaker.org they have a lot of books about universalism on the site that they critique and sell.
Also on bibletruths.com the moderator has a series on the Lake of Fire which you can download and is worth reading IMO.