Universalist Denominations

[Charlie V]

These boards is the first place (well, here and the Tentmaker forums) where I've seen so many Christian universalists in one place.

I have a question for Christian universalists:

What denomination do you belong to? Does your denomination teach and/or believe in universal salvation?

I actually became a believer in universal salvation, first by the direct inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and later by scriptural study, years before I even learned there was another human being who believed in universal salvation! I didn't even know the doctrine had a name.

My background is the Reformed Church and I currently attend a Presbyterian church, which is far more conservative then my own heartfelt liberal Christian beliefs. I know the main doctrines of the Presbyterian / Reformed faith (both churches were formed by John Calvin) includes an eternal hell (they even believe in Calvin's predestination to hell--which to me is one of the most horrible of the false doctrines) but I rarely hear mention of it in any Sunday sermon, so I do all right within the church.

I actually don't know of any modern denominations which teach universal salvation, though I'm sure there must be some. (The Unitarian Universalists probably don't count, as most of them consider themselfs non-Christian.)

Charlie

 

[Waiting for the Verdict]

These boards is the first place (well, here and the Tentmaker forums) where I've seen so many Christian universalists in one place.

I have a question for Christian universalists:

What denomination do you belong to? Does your denomination teach and/or believe in universal salvation?

I actually became a believer in universal salvation, first by the direct inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and later by scriptural study, years before I even learned there was another human being who believed in universal salvation! I didn't even know the doctrine had a name.

My background is the Reformed Church and I currently attend a Presbyterian church, which is far more conservative then my own heartfelt liberal Christian beliefs. I know the main doctrines of the Presbyterian / Reformed faith (both churches were formed by John Calvin) includes an eternal hell (they even believe in Calvin's predestination to hell--which to me is one of the most horrible of the false doctrines) but I rarely hear mention of it in any Sunday sermon, so I do all right within the church.

I actually don't know of any modern denominations which teach universal salvation, though I'm sure there must be some. (The Unitarian Universalists probably don't count, as most of them consider themselfs non-Christian.)

Charlie

I'm in the same boat as you. When I do go to church, it is usually the local Orthodox Presbyterian Church in my area. it is very conservative theologically...dangerously so at times....but it has many, many nice conservative people in it, so that's why I go. Uh, have you noticed how often first generation universalists are former Calvinists or have attended Calvinist churches (I was never Calvinist, but I've gone to my church on and off for much of the last five years). I suspect some of the mainline churches tacitly support universalism, even though it may not be in their doctrinal statements. I know there is a heavy universalist presence in the Congregationalist and Quaker denominations, though it may be a little too universalist by my standards (a.k.a. all religions can save, rather than just Christ saving everyone). As for the unitarians, some would still consider themselves Christians. Some wouldn't. I love Somerset Maugham's definition of Unitarianism "A Unitarian is someone who beleives very strongly in something which he can't precisely define" (I love you Unitarians!).

 

[Im_A]

i found this pic on wikipedia, and i hope it doesn't get the thread off course, but you'll see why i posted this here:



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Civil_marriage_is_a_civil_right.JPG

 

[SackLunch]

Ugh...another "Christianity + whatever" type thread!

You cannot mix Christianity with another belief system, because the outcome is NOT real Christianity. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life, and nobody comes to the Father but through ME." He made it clear that He is the only way to get to Heaven; there is no other way. The Bible makes it plain and clear that it's a DECISION everyone must make. Will I confess my sins and accept Jesus as my savior?

"Dear Jesus, I am a sinner, and I am sorry for my sins. I know you died on that cross for my sins. Come into my heart and life Jesus, and make me a new creation in you. Amen"

 

[FadingWhispers3]

He made it clear that He is the only way to get to Heaven; there is no other way.

And what if universalism means that everyone will get to heaven. Through the only way, Jesus the Christ, as you say?

 

[God_of_Mercy]

I don't know if I would call myself an official Christian Universalist but as my icon says I go to a Methodist church. I don't think Methodists teach Universalism but I don't care. I have never heard hell mentioned in any sermons and even if they did mention it I would not mind.

 

[SackLunch]

He made it clear that He is the only way to get to Heaven; there is no other way.

And what if universalism means that everyone will get to heaven. Through the only way, Jesus the Christ, as you say?

Jesus made it clear that it's a DECISION one must make. Universalism teaches something totally different - that we are all basically good and that we are all going to heaven.

Christianity teaches that we are all inherently bad, or sinful, and that we need Jesus to cover our sins and give us our assured place alongside Him in Heaven.

It's like oil and water. You must choose either Christianity OR Universalism. It cannot be both.

 

[God_of_Mercy]

Universalism teaches something totally different - that we are all basically good and that we are all going to heaven.

What? I have never heard a Universalist say we are all good.

 

[DaveS]

Sacklunch, I hate to be a little bit annoying now but my beliefs are kinda half way although leaning away from universalism.
I believe all Christians are saved.
I believe all people of most other faiths are judged according to right and wrong by the old law. Jesus removed original sin from everyone, even if you accept it or not, BUT to garuantee eternal life you must accept this.
I believe that all unbelievers will either go to hell, be annhililated or a mixture of both. I'm not sure about people of other faiths. God may grant mercy and allow purgatory or something similar. I don't know..
In conclusion, my belief is that all those who have either a) accepted Jesus Christ or b) lead a good life by some denomination will be saved. Basically an 'in the middle'.

 

[Chrysalis Kat]

Ugh...another "Christianity + whatever" type thread!

Actually it's a thread specifically directed to Christian Universalists. If that doesn't include you then . . .

 

[MidnightBlue]

Jesus made it clear that it's a DECISION one must make. Universalism teaches something totally different - that we are all basically good and that we are all going to heaven.

Christianity teaches that we are all inherently bad, or sinful, and that we need Jesus to cover our sins and give us our assured place alongside Him in Heaven.

The above misrepresents Universalist thought.

It's like oil and water. You must choose either Christianity OR Universalism. It cannot be both.

The two are not mutually exclusive. It can be both.

 

[MidnightBlue]

Actually it's a thread specifically directed to Christian Universalists.

All right, then. In response to the OP, it would be misleading to give my current church membership. I'm most at home in the United Church of Christ, and would probably be a member if there were a congregation anywhere near my home. A few of us have kicked around the idea of starting up a UCC or independent church here, but nothing so far. If we don't make some progress by Christmas, I'll probably start "commuting" once or twice a month.

The UCC is not a Universalist denomination, but Universalists are welcome therein.

 

[SackLunch]

Sacklunch, I hate to be a little bit annoying now but my beliefs are kinda half way although leaning away from universalism.
I believe all Christians are saved.
I believe all people of most other faiths are judged according to right and wrong by the old law. Jesus removed original sin from everyone, even if you accept it or not, BUT to garuantee eternal life you must accept this.
I believe that all unbelievers will either go to hell, be annhililated or a mixture of both. I'm not sure about people of other faiths. God may grant mercy and allow purgatory or something similar. I don't know..
In conclusion, my belief is that all those who have either a) accepted Jesus Christ or b) lead a good life by some denomination will be saved. Basically an 'in the middle'.

Hmmmm, well....

As a Christian, I always go back to the source of our faith - the Bible. The Bible is pretty cut and dry as to salvation. Jesus made it clear in John 14:6 and John 3:16 that HE ALONE is the way. He also made it clear that salvation is a CHOICE - we all have free will as to whether or not we make the DECISION to accept Him as our Lord and Savior.

The Bible tells us that since Jesus is the only way, all other ways are invalid. Thus, the criteria by which we are saved is Jesus. That's all. And it isn't automatic or universal; one must consciously accept Him and make that decision to follow Him and only Him.

The Bible is cut and dry really. Those who believe in Jesus as their Lord and Savior are saved and are assured of their place in Heaven; those who reject Him are not and will spend an eternity in hell without God.

 

[Chrysalis Kat]

MidnightBlue (I always think of cops when I see your username)

Same here. My Church has Universalist leanings but I don't want to misrepresent them and say they are. I don't agree with all my churches teachings 100 % and/or100 percent of the time, so I haven't posted.

 

[Waiting for the Verdict]

Ugh...another "Christianity + whatever" type thread!

You cannot mix Christianity with another belief system, because the outcome is NOT real Christianity. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life, and nobody comes to the Father but through ME." He made it clear that He is the only way to get to Heaven; there is no other way. The Bible makes it plain and clear that it's a DECISION everyone must make. Will I confess my sins and accept Jesus as my savior?

"Dear Jesus, I am a sinner, and I am sorry for my sins. I know you died on that cross for my sins. Come into my heart and life Jesus, and make me a new creation in you. Amen"

Universalists do beleive this is a decision everyone must make. And until they do, the soul remains in hell (at least universalists of my persuasion. Of course, my view of hell is somewhat different than yours.). Christian Universalists beleive Jesus is the only way, but that all will come to God through him (leastways, that's what I beleive). And, just to let you know, there are at least 15 to 20 verses in the Bible that support a universalist interpretation, including I beleive Colossians 1: 15-20. Could someone reference for me?

 

[Waiting for the Verdict]

Jesus made it clear that it's a DECISION one must make. Universalism teaches something totally different - that we are all basically good and that we are all going to heaven.

Christianity teaches that we are all inherently bad, or sinful, and that we need Jesus to cover our sins and give us our assured place alongside Him in Heaven.

It's like oil and water. You must choose either Christianity OR Universalism. It cannot be both.

Christian universalists don't beleive we are all good. We beleive that only Jesus can save. According to the Bible, we must only beleive in Christ to be saved. There is absolutely no verse that says we must beleive or not beleive universalism.

 

[Chrysalis Kat]

Universalists do beleive this is a decision everyone must make. And until they do, the soul remains in hell (at least universalists of my persuasion. Of course, my view of hell is somewhat different than yours.). Christian Universalists beleive Jesus is the only way, but that all will come to God through him (leastways, that's what I beleive). And, just to let you know, there are at least 15 to 20 verses in the Bible that support a universalist interpretation, including I beleive Colossians 1: 15-20. Could someone reference for me?

Charles V will answer you but in the meantime check out post #21 on this thread:
http://www.christianforums.com/t1906935-ottaiaor-anyone-elsecan-you-explain-universalism.html&page=3

 

[Arikereba]

At the churches I've attended for extended periods of time (Episcopal, United Church of Canada), I've never heard that anyone is going to hell--nor that no one is. You could be pretty comfortable being a universalist in those particular churches (there is of course a lot of variation in the Episcopal church, while the UCC is pretty uniformly liberal), or a not-quite-a-universalist-necessarily like me, though neither denomination has an official position on universal salvation.

 

[AionOlam]

Like Charlie, I was a Christian Universalist before I knew there was even a name for this belief.

I have been seeking the God of Universal acceptance and love all my life and it wasn't until I happened upon bible-truths.com that I had it confirmed scripturally that He existed and always had. Since this discovery I have learned much from both bible-truths.com and tentmaker.org, with a smattering of additional education from other Christian Universalist websites.

Christian Universalism is the only belief that has been able to show me that the bible doesn't contradict and makes sense. It is the only Christ-based faith that gives all power and glory to God. All the others are cluttered with the "traditions of men." They assign to God human attributes, which make God appear either unwilling or unable to save His creation. When I see the beauty He has bestowed upon this earth, both in His creatures and the rest of His creation, I believe that with God all things are possible.

I do not attend a particular church. I do not feel the need to attend one. I have (in the past) attended churches of many different faiths and I attended for reasons other than their system of belief: great music (choirs, bell-ringers, soloists), thoughtful speakers, the rituals or socializing. I don't see anything wrong with any of those reasons, I just don't have to go to church to fulfill those desires and needs. And, I don't need to attend a service in order to worship God.

My worship of God is to attempt everyday (and everyday it's like starting all over again) to be more like His only begotten Son, Jesus, asked us to be.
I don't pretend that I will ever be someone recognized for the wonderful acts of kindness that I perform for humanity or the huge sacrifices I have made or make, but I do conciously try to keep my eyes open and my heart willing to find and fill the little day to day needs that cross my path at work, home, in my travels and in my life. This doesn't mean I always succeed, but I know when I do manage to remember others, I am blessed as much as the recipient. That little spark of pleasure that comes from a kind action is my proof that He really does exist and that He is working through each and everyone of us. That's tells me how real God is in all.

Thanks for creating this thread. It has been increasingly amazing to me (in less than one year of discovering others that held the same or similar beliefs) that Christian Universalists seem to be multiplying at a very rapid pace. Has anyone else noticed the trend?

 

[Chrysalis Kat]

Thanks for creating this thread. It has been increasingly amazing to me (in less than one year of discovering others that held the same or similar beliefs) that Christian Universalists seem to be multiplying at a very rapid pace. Has anyone else noticed the trend?

Thank you for posting. Your honesty is refreshing.
I do think that a lot of people long to have a dynamic relationship with Christ but can't stomach the intellectual dishonest inherent in the manner Christianity is taught in certain shallow circles. I strongly believe that positive, practical and progressive Christianity is comming full circle. More and more folks are leaving churches, dropping the dogma and doctrine, and are choosing to follow Jesus.