Who Is God. . . Really?

St. Anselm defined God as "that Being than which none greater can be conceived."

I think that is a pretty good definition, and as I think about it . . . 

I can conceive of a God who is all-powerful, all-wise and good.

I can conceive of a God whose power is irresistible, whose love is unconditional and who never gives up on any of those He created in His image.

I can conceive of a God before whom every knee will one day freely and joyfully bow, and every tongue will one day freely and joyfully confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

I can conceive of a God who will one day restore all of His creaton to the perfection He intended, so that at the end of time He will once again look out on all that He has made and declare that it is very good!

One of the most common responses I receive from those who hear that I believe in this ultimate restoration of all things is, "I sure wish that were true, but . . . " and then they quickly bring up the subject of hell.

Although they would never admit it, what they are actually saying is,

"Deep down inside, I wish God were different.  I wish He were more loving, or wiser, or more powerful than He is."

Although they would never admit it, what they are actually saying is,

"I can conceive of a God who is greater than the one I worship.  One who would be able to save everyone He created.  But I am forced to believe in this lesser God because of what I've been told the Bible teaches about hell."

What most people don't realize, howevr, is that the belief that God will one day restore all of His creation to the perfection He initially intended was a prominent, and according to some scholars, the dominant view within the Early Christian Church leadership and laity during its first 500 years of existence.  

Unfortunately, much of what people have been told that the Bible teaches about the nature and duration of hell has been misunderstood, misinterpreted and misrepresented, and is not true.  The view that God will one day restore all is strongly supported by the teaching of Scripture! 

I'll be sharing some of that information in the weeks months to come.  In the meantime, be encouraged that the God of the Bible really is that Being than which none greater can be conceived!

Adapted from How Wide Are Heaven's Doors?  The Biblical Case for Ultimate Restoration

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