Question:  Dear Greg,

            Bravo! Bravo!  I am consistently impressed with your answers.  I always have been, if you haven’t noticed.  I’ve asked you a couple of questions over the years and you’ve played a pretty big part in helping me to work out my theology.  Thanks!

            My question involves universalism.  I just read a book on it that is currently a pretty big seller.  The authors do make some good points and I will admit universalism really gives me a warm fuzzy and it’s very tempting to believe in it.

            What are your opinions on universalism?  Do you think that this is one of those things that Christians should divide over or agree to disagree?  My feeling is that it comes pretty close to being something to divide over.  It cannot help but devalue Christ’s work on the cross as I see it, and when you start messing with that, I think you’ve gone too far.

            Thanks for your ministry,

            Steve

Answer:  Hello Steve,

            It is my understanding that universalism is defined as the belief that all will eventually be saved—regardless.  All will be saved; all will be restored to God.  No hell is allowed for.  If I believe universalism, then no one can choose to reject God, because even if they do so initially, God will convince them in the end, or at the very least the unrepentant and unregenerate will change their minds.  My problem with universalism includes:

1.      The Bible does speak of a judgment.  Christians, of course, debate about the exact location, place, time, etc. of heaven and hell (and how hot hell is or will be, etc.), but all Christians at the very least agree that heaven is eternity spent in God’s presence, while hell is eternal separation from God.  Whether hell means eternal torment or not Christians may debate—that is a peripheral issue.  In fact, most of the definitions and specifics about heaven and hell are peripheral because they have never been regarded as part of the core doctrines of the Christian faith.

2.      Universalists do not believe in the predestination of Calvinism.  However, universalists are actually saying that no matter what happens, all humans will be saved.  Sounds like predestination to me.  We have no choice, it would seem, for the universalist.

3.      The Bible teaches that God wants all to be saved (2 Peter 3:9 and 1 Timothy 2:4), but the Bible also teaches that not everyone accepts God’s grace (Matthew 23:37, Matthew 7:13-14).  Matthew 25:31-46 speaks of sheep AND goats.  The universalist would have us think that there are no goats.

4.      Without a long and exhausting study here, I would simply say that for me the weight of Scripture seems to fall on the fact that humans have a choice.  We may choose to accept or reject Christ.  The so-called unpardonable sin, called blasphemy against the Holy Spirit by Jesus, is nothing more than a continual, willful rejection of God by someone who knows better.  God will not save someone who refuses to be saved.

5.      As you say, universalism gives us a warm and fuzzy feeling.  However, feeling is not the acid test of biblical truth.  Feeling, in fact, is directing many in the wrong direction today (and always has).  The Bible has something to say about what seems right to humans.  Our feelings and reactions and values are not an accurate gauge or measurement of Truth.  The Bible clearly says that there are things of God that are a mystery and a secret—unable to be measured and fathomed by humans on this side of eternity.

            I believe universalism goes way too far trying to make God into an image that we feel is fair and just and merciful.  God does not request our help in “remaking” his image!

            In Christ,

            Greg Albrecht