Until now, most Christians have assumed that evangelicals – people who base their convictions clearly on the teaching of Scripture – cannot possibly be universalists – people who believe that God will one day redeem all mankind
With the release on March 8 of Zondervan’s Four Views on Hell (Second Edition), that understanding suddenly changed!
For the first time, a well respected, evangelical publishing house has clearly acknowledged that universalism is a view Christians should seriously consider.
An Evangelical Universalist
The four views presented in the book are: Eternal Conscious Torment, Terminal Punishment, Purgatory, and an essay by Robin Parry on Christian Universalism.
According to the book’s general editor, Preston Sprinkle –
All of the authors are committed Christians who believe in the full inspiration and authority of the Bible . . . All of the authors will derive and articulate their views based on Scripture and theological reasoning.
Dr. Sprinkle goes on to say –
I found Robin Parry’s essay to be a fascinating read! And, if I can be quite honest, I think it is a game-changer . . . Christians can no longer dismiss his view as unorthodox. We must now actually crack open our Bibles and, like the Bereans (Acts 17:11), see if these things are so.
Check It Out
For a very long time Christians have been told that most of the billions of people who have lived on this earth will remain separated from the love and mercy of God for all eternity. The moms and dads . . . grandmas and grandpas . . . sons and daughters . . . relatives and friends who have not exhibited the “right kind” of faith here in this life will be shut up in a place called hell to suffer forever.
But is that really true?
Is the greatest story ever told – the story of the creation, fall and redemption of mankind – really a tragedy for the vast majority of people who have ever lived . . . including many who you know and love?
Four Views on Hell is a great introduction to the Biblical arguments that directly relate to these issues. The arguments presented are not exhaustive. But they’re clear and clearly presented.
After reading Parry’s essay, you still may not be convinced that he is right. But it’s no longer enough to simply state categorically that an evangelical can’t be a universalist!
The landscape has changed. Maybe it’s time to take another look at an issue you may have been wondering about for a very long time.
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