I wrote that it was easy to be a universalist; one just have to believe in the possibility of post-mortem conversion.
But now I am thinking it is not so easy because universalism calls for the re-conversion or re-evanglization of the Church. It seems like such a tiny change in theology to say that perhaps physical death is not a barrier to God's plans for a person but doing so seems to require a change in how we do everything from the kid's programs to the senior's programs.
I once taught Beta, which is a continuation of Alpha. Beta is based on Neil Anderson's Bondage Breaker, which is a great book, but Beta as taught by Anderson was extremely modern and foundational. Being postmodern, I had to tweak every chapter to fit my worldview. Universalism calls for such tweaking from the way I read my bible to the way I talk to people.
Great theologians like Martin Luther or Karl Barth have issued the call of refromation in their times. We are reformed and ever reforming. Semper reformada. I hope someone just like them will rise up under the banner of a universalism that is both trinitarian and biblical and be that voice in the desert.
Hi Caroline!
It's good to see you blogging again!
Posted by: Dan Brennan | October 24, 2006 at 11:20 PM
Great to see others who understand Universal redemption and Grace.
Paul Kurts
www.newlifewcg.org
Newlife Christian Fellowship
Posted by: Paul Kurts | October 12, 2008 at 10:08 AM
post mortem conversion is silly. Those who reject God in this life will hate and reject God for eternity. Hell isn't God's choice, it's the choice of the unrepentant sinner, since God has offered a chance for everyone to BECOME His child! Baxter has made you leave being a fisher of men, sold you some lures and turned you into a fisher of fish, which stinks!
Posted by: tim | June 01, 2009 at 11:05 AM
But what of those who have not rejected God in this life:
- the ones who are below the age of accountability (i.e. babies and toddlers)
- the ones who can not understand mentally
- the ones who were presented with a False God and had rejected that one
- the ones who have never heard
Since life is unfair and no one starts off on the same footing, does not giving everyone an equal chance means there must be a chance after death?
It's not silly. It's taking a clear eyed view on justice.
Posted by: Caroline | June 01, 2009 at 12:22 PM
nice blog Caroline!I found your site while researching Norman Grubb but can't find your comments on him.
Posted by: karen butler | July 11, 2009 at 06:52 PM