Why do I get blasted for having hope that universal salvation is possible?

Question

I'm not saying that universal salvation is or isn't possible, just that I hope that it is. I think God can do whatever God wants. Is there anything wrong with hoping that God will bring all people into God's kingdom?

I'm confused by the Christians who seemingly rejoice at the thought that some will go to hell. That isn't worth celebrating. I know all the passages about "way to the Father...", "the way, the truth, the life...". I understand that. Again, what seems to be the big deal in expressing hope that God will bring all into his kingdom? I'm not saying it's going to happen...just hoping it were so.

Lastly, all you Christians (which I profess to be one, myself), one of our faith's freedoms is that we don't have to judge whether or not another makes the cut. That happens to be Jesus' job. Thankfully, he is the one making the judgment call and not some of you.

Answer 1

Hoping that all men can be saved is one part of loving all men, which is required of us. Many men will reject God, but your loving wish for them is commendable.

Yes, thank God the judgment is not up to us, particularly those who think God made up a short list before creation and decided in advance to forgive only those on the list. It seems to me that if anybody is trying to limit God's sovereignty it is this group.

Answer 2

People who answer here in the religion section of yahoo answers range from all different maturities of christians. The ones who laugh at people going to hell, are quite frankly at a very low maturity level of christianity, and don't understand as much as many others, just what it's like to live like Jesus. Sorry if you encountered something like that, but it happens all the time when you are at this website.

There was one thing that bothered me in your question however. You "hope" that there is heaven and call yourself a christian. It sound to me like you are thinking that if there is God, then everyone is saved from hell? That isn't quite the answer. According to what I interpreted from your question, then I would guess that if God was incontrol of peoples lives, and if he was exactly described as the christian bible tells it, then you would not make it to his Kindgom. Now, maybe I read you wrong, but calling yourself a "Christian" by means of having salvation through God, is not that easy to say. You've got to know what it means. Incase you didn't know, here's the quick overview of how to be gain salvation through Christ.

1) Admit you're a sinner. (It's almost hard not to. According to the bible, even a single sin tears you away from the kingdom of God, and yet everyone sins every day.)

2) Believe (not just "hope") that Jesus Christ came down and sacrificed himself on the cross to pay for our sins.

3) Do your best to live life how God wants you to. Obvioustly you can't live sinless from then-on, but it's more about the change of heart.

4)... Actually that's it. Hope that helps, God bless!

Answer 3

I hope it is also. Those who put limits on God or presume to know what God will or will not do in regards to another's soul are arrogant beyond belief.

The only 'Christians' I see who rejoice at others 'going to hell' are of the extremist type. Those like Chris...

Answer 4

"I'm confused by the Christians who seemingly rejoice at the thought that some will go to hell. That isn't worth celebrating"

I think that's a good sentiment, and I agree with you.

Answer 5

Well, the problem with the sentiment, though it is compassionate, is that it is also satanic. You are proposing an alternate plan to the one that our Heavenly Father has put forth.

Every person must choose his/her salvation, it cannot be forced on everyone, or else free agency and God's purpose for this mortal life would be thwarted.

Answer 6

Brother, I don't rejoice in it --- and I wonder at anyone who would. My heart is broken over it.

It is only that I take the Bible at face value, and when He says that He is the *only* way to the Father, and that salvation cannot be found under any other Name, I believe Him. If He has another plan in mind, He hasn't put it in His Word --- and I don't want to 'go beyond what is written'.

I've never blasted you, but if it's between a human opinion (yours or anyone else's) and God's Word, I know what I'm going to go with, and it's not human opinion.

Answer 7

I like your way of thinking...hope.

But I must disagree with the idea. Although, I myself hope that all would be positive and joyful and productive people; I have recently realized that it shouldn't be so.

You see, if we were all the same. Then we would cease to evolve or even exist. There must be different people for others to know what they want or not. ...to decided if they want to be negative, depressed and such or if they want to be positive and such.

I so admire that you think this way but I wouldn't like it to be true.

Answer 8

Christian Universalism does not teach the existence of an eternal hell. Jesus' sacrifice is meant to save us from death and is for all. Here are some resources for anyone interested in Christian Universalism:

Online resources:

http://www.christianuniversalist.org/

http://www.christian-universalism.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universalism

All of the following links are for discussion forums that are Christian Universalist in orientation:

Emergent Universalism Discussion Forum

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/emerging-universalist/

Christian Universalism Discussion Forum

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/christian-universalism/

Apokatastasis Discussion Forum
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/apokatastasis/

The Church of Interfaith Christians Discussion Forum

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/thechu...ithchristians/

Wider Universalist Fellowship Discussion Forum

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WiderUniversalist/

Fundie Universalist Discussion Forum

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/fundieuniversalist/

Reconciliation Fellowship Discussion Forum

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/reconciliation-fellowship/

Answer 9

I don't rejoice at anyone who goes to hell, and salvation for those who believe in the Son is guaranteed.

Answer 10

I'm sorry you were "blasted." You certainly have the right to your convictions. I prefer to err on the side of Scripture and allow it to guide my convictions about universal salvation.