In most conversations about universal reconciliation, a handful of verses are frequently cited as proof texts for the existence of an eternal hell. However, in this article, we aim to provide an alternative understanding of these verses from a universalist perspective. It is important to note that different universalists may interpret these verses in varying ways, and this article presents my understanding of these verses, based on the Bible, the Greek text, and the beliefs of some of the greatest church fathers. While this is not an exhaustive exegesis of each verse, it offers a concise overview to challenge prevailing notions of eternal punishment and encourage deeper exploration of these scriptural passages.
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What does it mean that all scripture is inspired by God? Is the Bible really perfect?
“All scripture is inspired by God” (2 Ti 3:16). This verse has led to countless arguments and has been interpreted in numerous ways. It is often used as a key verse to define the character of the Bible. But what does it mean that all scripture is inspired by God? What does it mean for our understanding of the nature of the Bible?
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What does it mean that we should “subdue the earth”? Reviewing the vocation of man.
God ordered humans to “subdue (כָּבַשׁ) the earth” (Gn 1:28). What does this mean? What does this command have to do with the vocation of humans? This article will review humans’ vocation in the light of Genesis 1.
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Why our modern view of justice is unbiblical—recovering a biblical view of God’s justice.
Many assume that mercy and justice are at odds as if these are two opposing things, and therefore two opposing characteristics within God. That God desires to have mercy, but he is bound to justice because of his holiness. A dichotomy within the very being of God. Such thinking is based on a wrong understanding of God’s justice influenced by Justitia (Lady Justice) rather than the Bible. Looking at the OT, Jesus, and Paul this article will show that God’s justice is restorative in its nature and therefore consistent with God’s love. God’s restorative justice is an expression of his love and not a quality contrary to God’s love.
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FAQ about Universal Reconciliation
What is universal reconciliation? Is universal reconciliation biblical? Why did Jesus have to die if all people will be saved? Why missions if there is no hell at all? What is the gospel, if it is not salvation from hell? Here you will find short and concise answers to these and many other questions about universal reconciliation.
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A Biblical Understanding of the Wrath of God
How does the wrath of God fit with the fact that he is love in his essence? Is the God of the Old Testament different from the God of the New Testament? In this article, it will make clear that God’s wrath and his judging actions are continuously defined the same throughout the Bible and are an expression of his love.
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Does the parable of the sheep and the goats teach hell or universal reconciliation?
Jesus’ parable of the sheep and the goats (Mt 25:31ff.) is often cited as the key verse for the idea that there is an eternal hell. But if you look at the verses closely and not just read them superficially, you will discover that this is not the case. In fact, the opposite is true: the verses give hope for a future reconciliation of all people with Jesus.
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The meaning of Gehenna in the teachings of Jesus
Didn’t Jesus teach hell himself? What about “whoever says ‘Fool’ will be sent to fiery hell” (Mt 5:22 NET)? How does that fit together with the reconciliation of all people? By giving the Old Testament background of Gehenna, I’ll show that Jesus didn’t teach eternal punishment in hell but imminent national judgement.
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Scriptures that point toward the salvation of every person
In the Bible, there are many verses that indicate that one day God will reconcile the whole cosmos and that he will be Lord over everything and everyone. Here is a small selection of such Bible passages. Some verses can certainly be understood differently, but others are very clear in their message. The highlights are from me and serve only the faster overview.
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13 reasons why I believe that in the end, Jesus will reconcile all people to himself
For me, the belief in an eternal hell has never been a problem. I’ve talked about hell more than any other Christian I’ve known. The teaching that God will reconcile all human beings with himself was a dangerous heresy for me. Here I want to explain 13 reasons why I can no longer believe in eternal torture, but am convinced that in the end, God will reconcile all people with himself.
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The only way to know God’s character for sure!
There are different images of God in the Bible. How do we know what God really is like? What is the standard by which we evaluate different images of God in the Bible? Is there a revelation from God that trumps all others?
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Why does God not stop evil and suffering?
In this world, we are often confronted with intense suffering and immense pain. Child abductions, abuse, domestic violence, addictions, natural catastrophes, accidents and crippling diseases are only a few of the evils that occur all the time in this World. But why does God not stop all of that?
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What is Agape Love?
At the heart of the Gospel lies Agape Love.
God is Agape Love (1 John 4:8), his very substance is Agape Love. Therefore, he loves everyone with Agape Love (John 3:16). God revealed his Agape Love through Jesus Christ and it is most clearly seen in Jesus sacrificing himself for us (Rom 5:8). Agape Love is greater than hope and faith (1 Cor 13:13). Agape Love is what we should seek above all else (Col 3:12-14). Agape love is the aim of all preaching (1 Tim 1:5). Agape love is the summary of the whole Old Testament law (Rom 13:8; Gal 5:14). Jesus summarized his teaching in Agape Love (Mt 22:37-40).
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Poem: God’s restorative justice
In this poem, I put into words my deep belief in God’s restorative justice. His judgment is driven by love, refining us through fire (metaphorically speaking; not literal flames!) and bringing forth our true selves. I acknowledge the painful yet transformative process of His justice, ultimately leading to restoration and wholeness. Through refining fire and the unveiling of truth, His justice will reconcile all things and lead every heart to authentic repentance and salvation without violence or manipulation.
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There is only one Jesus
Many Christians subconsciously believe in two different Jesus’s. The enemy-loving Jesus of the Gospels and the enemy-destroying Jesus of Revelation. How do they fit together?
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Why didn’t Jesus preach universal reconciliation more explicitly?
Why didn’t Jesus preach universal reconciliation more explicitly? This is a question that is often asked. Obviously, it is difficult to answer why Jesus did or didn’t do certain things. Here is an attempt to answer this question that at least makes sense to me.
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Book Summary: “Universalism: The Prevailing Doctrine of the Christian Church During its First Five Hundred Years.”
Thought you guys might enjoy this summary of miscellaneous points I did several years ago from J.W. Hanson’s classic book “Universalism: The Prevailing Doctrine of the Christian Church During its First Five Hundred Years.”
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5 Examples When Jesus Contradicted, Revised or Cut Out Parts of the Old Testament
This article explores how Jesus read the Old Testament and what we can learn from that for how we interpret the Bible by looking at 5 examples from the Gospels.
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Jesus rejecting deniers, sinners who can’t enter the kingdom and universal reconciliation
“But whoever denies me before people, I will deny him also before my Father in heaven.” (Mt 10:33, NET) “Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God!” (Gal 5:21, NET) In this article, I’ll answer how verses like this fit together with the belief that God will reconcile the whole cosmos.
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The Worst Sin.
I was sitting in class when my professor asked “What is the worst sin?” Having grown up in church my mind immediately wandered to several sexual sins, murder, and being a lukewarm Christian. But all of them didn’t seem to be bad enough for being the worst sin. Then it flashed into my mind “The worst sin is whatever opposes the greatest command.”
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