Universalism

Why yes, yes there is:

And just as it is appointed for mortals to die once, and after that the judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him (Hebrews 9:27-28 NRSV).

 

There are many but the one that is most dispositive for me is 1 Corinthians 15:21-22.

"For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive."
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It becomes mathematical. Jesus will resurrect to life all who died as a consequence of Adam's sin. Since Adam's sin brought death on everyone, the new Adam, Jesus gives life to everyone. And this must be so, otherwise Adam's sin is greater than Christ's power to save. Something I think no one would agree to.

Here's a good list of Bible verses that teach universalism, though perhaps not exhaustive: https://www.mercyonall.org/universalism-in-scripture

 

Here is another good list by Tentmaker:
https://tentmaker.org/articles/universalism-is-not-in-the-bible.htm

 

That quote from 1 Cor. 15:21-22 equates "the resurrection of the dead" with being "made alive," doesn't it? The assumption that all who are made alive will be joined to God forever in His glory is a mistaken one. Jesus explained away that particular interpretation when He said:
Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation (John 5:28-29). You see, it is true that all will be resurrected from the dead (made alive), but not all will receive resurrection unto eternal life; most of the dead will be raised "unto the resurrection of damnation."

 

I disagree and invite you to look at the Greek word used in 1 Cor 15:22 for "be made alive". That word is ζῳοποιέω (transliterated as zōopoieō) and is always used in scripture to refer to God giving life in the spiritual sense. See here:
https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g2227/nasb20/mgnt/0-1/

 

Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

Universalists like to promote specific passages found in Paul's letters (especially to the Romans and Corinthians) as supports for their concept. But how did Paul preface his remarks to the Romans? He said that the gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation to those who believe, for "the just shall live by faith," but those who hold this gospel truth "in unrighteousness" (as not to be believed) receive wrath instead of salvation. Paul also wrote in Romans 3:20-22 that righteousness is bestowed by faith to all who believe, but that no one can be justified by other means (such as works). Romans 9:18 says God will not have mercy on all, and v. 22 says that sinners whom God has been patient with in this life are ultimately "vessels of wrath fitted to destruction."

 

Lol, and infernalists like using specific passages found in Paul's letters to support their concepts (See for example, the quote above).

Perhaps read Matthew 7:3-5.

 

Actually, the most common usage of the word is in reference to corporeal life.
1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
1Co 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
1Co 15:24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
1Co 15:25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
All are subject to temporal, physical death due to Adam's sin. And all will be raised from physical death.

Notice what it says afterward in speaking of "all" being made alive:
1. First, Jesus was raised from the dead
2. Second, "they who are Christ's" (the church, the believers/followers of Christ) will be raised
3. Third, when the end comes, all the enemies will be raised, judged, and sent to the eternal destruction of the lake of fire; see Rev. 20 and Matt. 25:41-46.

 

I don't believe you have yet refuted or explained away the scriptures I've already quoted in this thread:

Matthew 13:24-43
Rev. 20:15
Rev. 21:8-27
Rev. 14:11
Luke 13:5, 23-28
John 3:3
John 3:14-18
Matt. 7:13-14
Rom. 1:16-19
Rom. 3:3-4
Matt. 25:41
Acts 16:29-31
Heb. 9:27-28
Mark 16:16
2 Thess. 1:7-9

 

I would never refute or explain away Holy Scripture. You'll have to play that game with someone else.

 

All the scriptures cited by universalists seem to allow for the possibility of a universalist interpretation.
The scriptures I cited preclude the possibility of a universalist interpretation. If universalists can't explain how these scriptures do not contradict their interpretation, they've missed it.

Scripture interprets scripture. All of scripture harmonizes and produces a unified message from God to man, for it is inspired by God and He neither lies nor contradicts Himself.

It's no game; it's a matter of life or death (eternal life vs. eternal death) for millions of people. If you're right and I'm wrong, no harm done. If you're wrong (and convince others to believe wrongly), the harm could have disastrous eternal consequences for those who were deceived.

 

Nothing in that passage states or implies that Our Lord will not save a sinner after his physical death. Judgment only implies punishment, such as imprisonment, not for eternity but until the last farthing is paid (See Matthew 5:25-26 and Luke 12:59). So hope exists even for those in Hell's prison.

In fact, Scripture shows us a picture of Our Lord saving those souls:

"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water... For this is the reason the gospel was proclaimed even to the dead, so that, though they had been judged in the flesh as everyone is judged, they might live in the spirit as God does." (1 Peter 3:18-20, 4:6)

Our Lord preached the Gospel to those spirits imprisoned, souls trapped there for thousands of years from as far back as the Great Flood. Even they were given the Glad Tidings of Great Joy because, just as the Angels proclaimed, it is for ALL people.

As St. Paul teaches in Philippians 2:10-11, "at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

There is hope beyond hell.

 

Wow, I must be far more convincing than I thought if my ramblings on discussion forum can lead to millions of deaths. You give me too much credit

But you're selling your position far too short, my friend. If you're right, then God (whose essence is perfect love, don't forget) is sending billions of people to hell to burn, body and soul, forever and ever and ever without end.

Estimates have the current worldwide population at around 7.5 billion and, according to a Gordon-Conwell study, the number of nominal Christians is around 2.5 billion. Now even if we assume that all nominal Christians are actually saved and will be in a state grace at their passing, that means 5 billion people will be headed to an eternity burning, roasting, writhing in torment in a lake of fire. According to you, that's the absolute best God (to whom nothing is impossible) can do... a small minority of his creatures spared and the greater part sizzling forever on the great barbecue, including someone's tiny baby or granny, the disabled and mentally ill, babies that died in the womb. People who are incredibly kind and generous and even heroic but who just happened to never hear the gospel at all or may have heard it told to them in the wrong way or who saw how some Christians lived and treated others and became unconvinced of the Gospel's truth. People who were hurt by Priests and lost their faith. According to you that's God's justice.

But wait there's more. Lots more.

The current population only makes up around 7% of the total number of humans that have ever walked the earth (somewhere between 110 and 180 billion). Even if we are generous and say that the proportions for Christian to non-Christian hold constant from the current numbers (which is far too high given that for most of history, Christianity didn't exist as a religion and Christ had not yet incarnated), then God, who wills all people to be saved, was unable to do so for 120 billion people and counting. That's the good news of great joy for all people?

Not buying it. God accomplishes what he wills and God wills to save all people.

 

Isn't it also God's will for all people to "sin not"?

Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity (Habakkuk 1:13)

But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear. (1 Peter 1:15-17)

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure...Whoever committeth sin is of the devil. (1 John 3:1-3,8)

The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup. For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright. (Psalm 11:5-7)

For all that do such things, and all that do unrighteously, are an abomination unto the LORD thy God. (Deut. 25:16)

For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you. The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers. You destroy those who speak lies; the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man. (Psalm 5:4-6)

For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. (Eph. 5:5-6)

Clearly, God wills that we avoid sin and live holy lives. Yet everyone commits sins. So how can anyone say, "God accomplishes" all that He wills? Obviously, He has given people free will to either align themselves with His will or to follow their own way, the way of the transgressor. Even though it is God's will for all men to resist and avoid sin, He does not force them to do so. Likewise, it is God's will that all "come to the knowledge of the truth" and "be saved" (1 Timothy 2:4), but He does not force salvation and truth upon the unwilling.

This sells short the message God has given to mankind. "Choose this day whom ye will serve" (Joshua 24:15). Every person chooses what he will believe and do, and they will reap the eternal consequences of their choices. Just as the couple who commits adultery and creates a new life via pregnancy must in some way reap the consequences of their actions in this life, likewise a person who chooses to disbelieve in the Creator and His goodness must reap the eternal consequences, for he condemns himself to the agony of eternal existence apart from God's divine protection, provision, and presence. God hates sin; but He loves the sinner so much, He won't force Himself upon the sinner for all eternity. The unrepentant sinner hates the light of God's truth and abhors the very thought of having to surrender his self-will, embrace Almighty God, and be beholden to Him for saving grace; how could a loving God force that sinner to love and live with Him forever?

 

That's overly simplistic and runs counter to the clear teaching of Scripture. The great mass of humanity, as I've already pointed out have never heard the Gospel, so they have no choice to receive or reject it. How can they believe in and serve a God they don't know?

 

All this talk about our alleged free will to choose to do or believe makes me think we need to be reminded Articles X & XI:

"Of Free Will
The condition of Man after the fall of Adam is such that he cannot turn and prepare himself, by his own natural strength and good works, to faith, and calling upon God: Wherefore we have no power to do good works pleasant and acceptable to God, without the grace of God by Christ preventing us, that we may have a good will, and working with us, when we have that good will."

"Of the justification of Adam
We are accounted righteous before God, only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ by Faith, and not for our own works or deservings: Wherefore, that we are justified by Faith only is a most wholesome Doctrine, and very full of comfort, as more largely is expressed in the Homily of Justification."

 

This question falsely characterizes the question as all-or-nothing, but supposing that one must either believe in Universalism or else have no explanation for the people who've never heard the Gospel. There are explanations which take such people into account, explanations that do not involve Universalism. I think they are, however, far beyond the subject of this thread and deserve to be discussed separately. Suffice here to say that one does not have to be a Universalist to accept that God has not excluded all those who lived outside of the news of Jesus (either in time or place).

 

These present no problem; they are, and have always been, fully compatible with the belief that there is an eternal life to gain and an eternal perdition to avoid.

Truly, we are justified by faith only! Universalism would have the faithless be justified by divine fiat, by God arbitrarily sanctioning the admission of unrepentant sinners into His Kingdom, in direct contradiction of numerous teachings to the contrary. Plainly, universalism is contrary to Article XI.

As for Article X, it teaches us that the very ability to choose and to exercise free will is supplied by God. But what right-minded Christian would dare suppose that a righteous, reasonable God would create an unlevel playing field by supplying this ability only to a scant few? Would God really leave the vast majority of the human beings (whom He loves) "swinging in the wind," entirely unable to make a valid choice? No, God is "no respecter of persons" (Acts 10:34); He has given the same power of free will to the unrepentant and the repentant alike. To each one is given "the measure of faith" (Rom. 12:3), the capacity to believe, that is needed to enable the person to choose between God's way or the devil's way (the only two ways that exist). (Note: I'm not including very young children or mentally disabled, upon whom I do think God will grant mercy for obvious reasons.)