Are you a born-again Christian who believes in universalism? If so then you are not alone. Twenty-five percent of Christians share your view point. However, Don Carson is not one of them. He addresses Rob Bell’s new book, Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived, teachings.
Many Born-Again Christians Hold Universalist Views, Barna Finds
Universalism is “the belief that all human beings will be saved after death.” About 25% of Christians believe this according to the Barna Group, who did the survey. A great number of born-again Christians believe Christians and Muslims serve the same God. Almost half of Americans believe all religious faiths teach the same lessons.
Universalism is not a new concept. However, the pressure for Christians to take this view point is. Don Carson says, “There are pressures in our culture to reduce the truth content of Scripture and then simply dismiss people by saying that they’re intolerant or narrow-minded … or bigoted without actually engaging the truth question at all. And that is really sad and in the long haul, horribly dangerous.”
What are your views on universalism? Do you believe no one will go to the lake of fire? Will everyone live in peace with Jesus and Father God in heaven? Why or Why not? Leave your answers in the comments below.
Read the full story about Christians who believe in universalism. Also, here is the study done by Barna Group: What Americans Believe About Universalism and Pluralism.
Evangelicals Reject Universalists’ Attempts to Write Off God’s Wrath
Universalism – An empty hell, a cheapened cross, an incomplete God
By Lillian Kwon
Don Carson addresses Rob Bell’s teaching in his new book that made number 2 on the New York Times bestsellers’ list. Bell no longer believes in staying in a literal hell forever. He believes people will have an opportunity to know Jesus even in hell. Besides the message of Jesus’ love should be the focus of ministry.
Bell denies being a universalist; yet his idea is universal. Carson says that the God of the Old Testament has been written off. Most likely, it is because of the harshness of God’s ways during that time period.
Diminishing one of God’s attributes requires you to diminish another until nothing is strong enough to stand. Read the full story about this argument on Rob Bell’s new book. Also, read Rob Bell Denies Being a Universalist.
What do you think? Will everyone go to heaven? Are some Christians being too hard?