Rowland Croucher <> writes
>”I got to heaven, and was surprised to see Adolf Hitler there.”
>
>How would you react if such a thing actually happened?
I would be mindful of the fact that some theologians (I seem to remember
Ken Leech discussing this possibility) emphasise the view that all creation
is to be saved (even eucharistic prayer 4 of the mass seems to imply it),
and that therefore this may imply the inclusion of the forces of evil. The
argument here is that there seem to be two contradictory strands of
thought in Christianity even in the NT. Though I would want to ask why
go through all this evil thing if this is where we’re all going to end up
anyway!
—
Peter Wilton
> Therefore, either be was a liar or c) is the answer.
What did you say?
Imagine a chap born in inner Ghotistan, who grows up among badger
worshipers. One day he decides for himself that he is a sinner, and
that his only hope is if someone can do something about his sin, so he
prays to the great badger about it.
The next day he is stuck down and killed by an elephant with a
defective handbrake.
Which of the following will happen:
1) Actually I’m called Jesus, not the great badger, but your sins are
forgiven…
2) You got the details wrong, you go to hell…
Well, my tenner is on 1.
 
> :> If “Christ died for the sins of the world” means that Christ’s death
> :> has guaranteed entry to heaven for every individual who has ever lived
> :> then [picks a passage, fairly at random…] what is Paul getting at in
> :> Romans 6? Surely it *would* be better, if God’s grace is freely forced
> :> upon all, for us to sin as much as possible so that God’s grace is
> :> given as prominent a place as possible! Paul seems to think
> :> differently.
> :
> :Universalism does not have to imply that God *forces* anyone to accept
> :his grace. It just means that God never gives up on anyone and that
> :eventually he wins them round.
>
> Does that continue beyond the grave? How do verses like Hebrews 9:27
> fit in? Or what about Jesus’ own warnings of the consequences of sin?
That question bumps into the old chestnut about the problematic
relationship between time and eternity, IMO.
Judgement need not been seen as a negative thing – with God annihilating
all opposition. It may be quite positive with God fixing what is wrong
with creation.
Of course that still raises the question of what will happen to any who
refuse to be fixed. The consequences of sin are indeed grave – but
does anyone face them?
I don’t *know* that universalism is true – but I hope it is. I’m sure
that the God of Love can find a way to make it work even if I can’t see
it.
A Hope – by Anne Bronte (1820-49)
And oh! there lives within my heart
A hope long nursed by me;
(And should its cheering ray depart
How dark my soul would be!)
That as in Adam all have died,
In Christ shall all men live;
And ever round his throne abide,
Eternal praise to give.
That even the wicked shall at last
Be fitted for the skies;
And when their dreadful doom is past
To light and life arise.
I ask not how remote the day,
Nor what the sinner’s woe,
Before their dross is purged away;
Enough for me to know –
That when the cup of wrath is drained,
The metal purified,
They’ll cling to what they once disdained,
And live by him that died.