I would resist the image of God in a universalistic perspective being an enabling father. The father of the prodigal was not enabling… he simply never gave up. In Universalism, God simply does not give up. He is always patient, always kind, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres… and never fails.
It is not enabling to simply not have a point at which you eternally cut someone off. What Father would not always seek after and desire a restored relationship with his son or daughter… anyone that has a cut off point cannot call themselves Father.
7 comments:
Amen!
Andrew,
Thank you so much for contributing your comments on these posts! Your comments contribute greatly to the discussion and make me feel less alone and crazy. :)
Linda - and to you for posting honest questions and thoughts. I think when folks hear others with these questions it is empowering. I believe it was easier for the orthodoxy police to keep everyone in line prior to the internet. :)
A true Universalist doesnt even need Jesus. Because the truth is, if our creator loves us and cares for us then it will always be there for us. It doesnt need no intermediary power.
Amen to this post.
@TitforTat-
Why not see Jesus as a great teacher of universal concepts without need for the intermediary role. If you please, see my latest post.
Andrew,
Your response resonates! I'm not sure I'm ready to be a universalist in all respects. I'm not sure that there's enough in scripture for me to build a tight-knit theology on the subject but I can agree whole-heartedly with your sentiments on the nature of God. God never rejects and never forsakes and at some point I have to believe that God can say "I have made all things new" without having to say "except for Hell."
There are still challenges but I will only go as far as to call myself a hopeful inclusivist... whatever saving occurs is done solely by the blood of Christ and there is room to hope that all might be saved because we have a God who suffers with those who suffer.
TFT - My views about Jesus are evolving and I definitely no longer see Jesus as the calm mediator between disobedient children and a postal father.
Wes - "except for Hell"
Heh! That's so true.
I appreciate your perspective. It is interesting that amongst conservative theological Christians/most evangelicals; if you momentarily took God out of the equation and described the personality and behavior that we attribute to Him... we would be describing a person that none of us would associate with, and certainly wouldn't entrust our children to. But then we say "Oh, but this is God we are talking about"... then all of a sudden these horrible attitudes and behaviors become acceptable... complete cognitive dissonance... then we wonder why we are having trouble proclaiming "Good News" where anyone will take us seriously. :)
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