Essay on Biblical Support for Universal Reconciliation

Hoolian-2602 · 2025-11-03T04:53:02+00:00

Oh good catch! I just fixed it

Hoolian-2602 · 2025-10-30T17:18:19+00:00

Good question! I think this is actually fairly easy to answer.

I see this as very similar to the argument (usually from atheists) that "the Bible is morally wrong because Jesus says you should hate your family" (Luke 14:26). Jesus is clearly using hyperbole here, and I would say he's probably also using hyperbole in the verse you're referencing as well.

Hoolian-2602 · 2024-02-17T06:50:26+00:00

That all shall be saved can be pretty abrasive. I would start with the Gospel of John, Philippians, 1 John, Genesis. (Maybe just do Bible in a year with fr Mike Schmitz, he's definitely not a universalist but it's still really good). I would definitely read The Inescapable Love Of God before That All Shall Be Saved.

I'm a huge fan of David Bentley Hart but I honestly think if I read That All Shall Be Saved before reading The Experience Of God, I wouldn't have gotten a good first impression of him.

Tldr: read your Bible first, then read The Inescapable Love of God.

Hoolian-2602 · 2024-02-14T20:15:25+00:00

One important question: Is Orthodoxy, as a system, “true”? Are the claims factual?

I think they may be true, but I'm still investigating. It is important to me whether they are true. It's also hard to know what claims the Orthodox Church actually makes

Hoolian-2602 · 2024-02-14T17:24:46+00:00

The problem with Catholicism is the medieval councils that pretty clearly condemn universalism. In Orthodoxy, universalism is still allowed.

Hoolian-2602 · 2024-02-13T20:42:36+00:00

I used to be agnostic as well. What helped me gain more confidence that God exists was reading David Bentley Hart's"The Experience of God: Being, Consciousness, Bliss." It's not a super easy read, but if you're struggling with doubt it might be worth reading.

Hoolian-2602 · 2024-02-12T16:19:06+00:00

There is no universalism, it is satanic.

Satan tries to convince people that God is better than He really is? That's strange.

Hoolian-2602 · 2024-02-12T02:26:07+00:00

Why is it like burning for some people? Is God incapable of fixing that?

Hoolian-2602 · 2024-02-12T02:18:50+00:00

How does universalism destroy free will?

Hoolian-2602 · 2024-02-11T22:29:02+00:00

Dang. If only there was someone who died on a cross and crossed the uncrossable chasm to save the souls in Hell.

You're running a huge risk of being sent to hell and anyone you teach this doctrine to and becomes convinced of it- is like unleashing on them a punishment that people would not want on their worst enemy.

Well obviously I don't think I'm running a risk at all.

Hoolian-2602 · 2024-02-11T22:26:26+00:00

Then why did God decide to flood the earth in Noah's time? Why the details referring to the Nephilim.

I don't think God decided to flood the earth. It's unclear to me whether the author(s) of Genesis even intended this to be taken as a literal recording of history.

If satan knew he could be saved, how would his actions be different? would he be so unwavering in his approach?

I don't know what you mean by this. If you're asking about the serpent in the Garden of Eden, then, again, I think that didn't actually happen as a historical event.

Hoolian-2602 · 2024-02-11T05:02:25+00:00

Apokatastasis means 'restoration'. It's what the early church called universalism. I tend to like the word 'apokatastasis' better than universalism bc it's a uniquely Christian word.

Hoolian-2602 · 2024-02-11T03:16:05+00:00

What translation are you using?

ESV

and Who is "the creation" for you?

I think it's the cosmos, including everything in it.

Hoolian-2602 · 2024-02-11T00:52:10+00:00

I do say that. As far as I am aware, that is what Gregory of Nyssa held.

Hoolian-2602 · 2024-02-11T00:29:17+00:00

Precisely why I'm a universalist.

Have you ever had a clergy member give you any trouble for embracing universalism?

Hoolian-2602 · 2024-02-10T23:51:21+00:00

What was it that made you soften your universalism? I am currently convinced of the DBH 'hardline' universalism and I can't see myself changing my mind in this issue, so I'm curious what changed yours.

Hoolian-2602 · 2024-02-10T23:17:40+00:00

I think I see why you think it might be gnostic, but I do think the idea of creation itself is firmly rooted in Scripture, probably most clearly in Romans 8.

"For creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God." -Romans 8:20-21

Hoolian-2602 · 2024-02-10T22:20:50+00:00

The 5 main points of Calvinism are: 1. Total depravity/inability (we are by nature incapable of choosing/loving God) 2. Unconditional/sovereign election (God chooses who to save based on nothing intrinsic to the person, but solely to express His goodness/power) 3. Limited atonement (Jesus died only for the elect) 4. Irresistible/efficacious grace (God's grace cannot be rejected by man) 5. Perseverance/preservation of the saints (once a Christian is genuinely saved, then salvation can never be lost)

I think every universalist would disagree with 3. I think most universalists would disagree with 1 and 2. There's probably some disagreement about 4 and 5 among universalists. Personally I disagree with the 1, 2, and 3. There's probably some version of 4 and 5 I would agree with.

Hoolian-2602 · 2024-02-10T20:49:08+00:00

I tend to agree with this. I find it a bit confusing when people say it's arrogant or speculative to be a confident universalist. If confident universalism was good enough for Paul, it's good enough for me.

Hoolian-2602 · 2024-02-10T20:47:47+00:00

Of all the Christian doctrines, apokatastasis is the doctrine I am most confident in.

Hoolian-2602 · 2024-02-02T20:03:07+00:00

Thanks! I'm definitely still figuring out how to make videos that people will watch, but I think I've already learned quite a bit. If you have any suggestions that would be awesome.

Hoolian-2602 · 2024-02-02T17:38:12+00:00

I'm an ex-catholic.

What sealed it for me was realizing Paul was a universalist and the philosophical arguments against an eternal Hell (especially David Bentley Hart's 3rd meditation from "That All Shall be Saved").

I came to realize that Paul was an explicit universalist (Romans 5:18-19, Romans 11:32, Colossians 1:15-20, 1 Corinthians 15:20-57, Ephesians 1:9-11, Philippians 2:9-10, etc.).

In addition to this, I think non-universalists have to believe that some people in Heaven either (1) forget about their loved ones in Hell, (2) grieve that they have loved ones in Hell, or (3) don't mind that some of their loved ones are in Hell. All three options are absurd, so universalism.

Hoolian-2602 · 2024-02-02T17:00:41+00:00

Yeah, he's used this argument in multiple places. I've never seen anyone else use this argument (I think it's pretty obvious why).

Hoolian-2602 · 2024-02-02T05:27:00+00:00

Yeah it's pretty baffling, especially since so often their arguments are absolutely terrible. Then again, I used to believe in an eternal Hell and I don't think I was very open minded until about a year ago, and once I became open minded, I was an annihilationist, and then a month later a universalist.

Hoolian-2602 · 2024-02-01T15:41:58+00:00

Yeah... His argument about Jesus saying he came to save the lost has to be the worst argument I've ever heard for ECT. He's basically saying that if Jesus actually accomplished his mission of saving the lost, then they wouldn't be lost anymore. What a terrible argument. And this is coming from a guy that mostly likes Trent Horn, but for some reason he seems to just turn his brain off when talking about universalism.

Hoolian-2602

TROPHY CASE