Interesting collection of scriptures there Rowland. There do appear to be scriptures in support of both sides of the universalist debate, as you mention. For me, this is just one more subject on which it cannot be claimed that the Bible has one harmonious and united doctrine. Not that this denies the validity or usefulness of the Bible, or it’s importance for the Christian faith, but rather the debate must go beyond the realms of Christian scripture to consider philosophical, theological and experiential factors (limitted as relevant experience may be in this case).

As such, I think we should also question whether there will be an afterlife, prior to asking what the afterlife will be like.

I follow the following reasoning in my universalist tendencies:

• humans can and do extend grace and forgiveness to others. We usually consider it most praiseworthy when a person forgives another without the need for retribution or for punishment (similar to some Gospel parables).

If we can extend such grace and mercy, how much more will God extend grace and mercy, even if there is some purgatorial or other form of justice.

• can a loving and good God give an ETERNAL/INFINITE punishment of eternal pain/suffering/death for the FINITE sins of our earthly life? I would think it more likely that if there were such a punishment, it would be annihilation – more merciful than everlasting hell.
  
• according to a conservative theology, can God punish humans with eternal hell for not accepting the so-called ‘essentials’ of the Christian faith?

For the person who has never heard the gospel, it would seem flatly unjust since they haven’t had a chance to respond (and most make concessions here). For someone like me who has heard and even studied the Bible and conservative faith/theology but cannot honestly commit to those essentials, that decision is made with a God-given mind and not in malice against God – in fact, much more in faith in God. So if the ‘essentials’ were true, they are clearly not obvious even to the person who makes concerted effort to understand them. So one would think God must be gracious in his expectations.

• lastly, the Western church has in my mind become obsessed with the matter of ‘truth’ and propositional belief. I don’t see God as the master checking off items of belief on a checklist, but rather desiring relationship with people of all faiths and cultures. If I can overlook misunderstandings/disagreements and relate well with the people I meet, how much more will God be gracious and meet with all people.

But, in the end it is a mystery to us all until we die and then find out what is after death. I don’t accept the idea that a person can know with absolute certainly what will happen, as there cannot be concrete evidence for it. Only inferences, arguments, and the occasional brief near-death experience.

Looking forward to others reflections…

Regards,

Daniel McLean