A friend of mine said he did not believe that God would condemn anyone to "hell" but that all will go to heaven. It's just that some of them won't like it one damn bit.
There are always some who will complain. No matter what.
My relationship with God has no need for anybody's condemnation.
I saw recently this video by Rob Bell. Don't know if I'll buy the book, but his premise is compelling. Impressive.
LOVE WINS. from Rob Bell on Vimeo.
9 comments:
Most of us will go to heaven (if there is one). There are truly evil people that walk the earth. Who knows what happens to them? But going to church or practicing 'man made religion' is not a requirement to get into heaven. I'm closer to it than you are. If I get there before you I'll let you know what the deal is.
I've often thought that many people would be disappointed once they get to heaven - - and discover that some of the rest of us are there, too. :-D
Of course, that could also work in reverse for us.
CS Lewis in "The Great Divorce" thought all in hell clearly chose to be there; Milton thought the door of hell was locked - from within. This makes some sense to me. God weeps when someone rejects Him.
There are plenty of folks who would think my vision of Heaven is their vision of Hell.
Rob's insights reflect my own journey - from a very narrow fundamentalism more concerned about rules and "good behavior" to a much wider space where the issue is God's love and an invitation to experience it and share it. I no longer need to be the judge of everyone else's journey, just keep trying to respond to God's love day to day. That's enough of a challenge. Bill
I am an unabashed universalist. So this does not scandalize me at all.
Urspo's comments are on point.
There is a hell. And I think God let's us make it.
On a somber note, though, I believe there are evil people, human spirits who have rejected their inner spark and seek to extinguish that of others. And when that spark is extinguished, I think the human soul thrashes around in solitary torment.
As my personal theology has expanded or evolved if you will, I have come to see so clearly that Christianity is not a religion. Rather, Christianity is a relationship with a loving, all knowing, gracious and Holy God. God wants that relationship with us, He want us to choose Him. I think I need to blog about this. The church I am with is stretching me in every-way theologically, personally, and professional. There is more I want to write don't want to monopolize this blog.
I have been anticipating this book for a while. Universal Restoration is a concept that many denominations have come across through the centuries. I first heard it debated in my denomination of origin in the 1980's... and the issue was resolved the same way it was resolved in the 1700's - permission to believe but not to disseminate. My own journey out as a formerly married and formerly pastoring gay man lead me to this same conclusion.
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