The Doctrine of Hell Breeds Arrogance

Sep
 167
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As I look back at my old self who once believed in hell, I realize how many terrible consequences such a false doctrine has had on me and even all of mankind. One such consequence is pride and arrogance. I can easily think of at least three important expressions of arrogance that arise from such a doctrine.

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Following Jesus: An Out of Boat Experience

Sep
 6
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In discussing my biblical views with some Christians —especially the one about God saving all—I’m always a little surprised how tightly they cling to every jot and tittle they’ve been taught in church (many of them not even biblical), as if their church (or they themselves) can’t be wrong about anything. Even when you suggest a way of interpreting Scripture that makes a heck of a lot more sense, people don’t want to believe that there is any chance they are wrong, so they don’t even listen to valid or reasonable points I might bring up.

I’ve thought a lot about why it’s so hard look at things through new lenses or to question what you’ve been taught. What is it that makes people either too afraid or too stubborn to look at things from a new viewpoint?

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Long Live the Egyptian Revolution!

Sep
 7
Tikkun Daily: "tekun–to mend, repair, and transform the world" |http://www.tikkun.org/tikkundaily/2011/02/11/the-egyptian-revolution/

If there’s one thing you’ve probably learned from me over the years, it’s how I see the Old Testament as a teaching tool from the natural world of a bigger spiritual reality for us all. Everything in the OT calls out to us a deeper revelation about our God, our faith, and our destiny.

Let’s revisit Egypt.

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Guarding Local Secrets

Aug
 3
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By the look on the face of the US Forest Service employee, you’d have thought we just demanded he hand over his firstborn. I swear, all we did was ask where to find huckleberries. But let me back up…

Last week we enjoyed every minute of a much-needed mental break when we ventured out on a road trip to some of the more beautiful areas of the Northwest, relatively speaking in our own backyard. We braved the bears and camped every night under a full moon, staying in such places as Glacier National Park, Flathead Lake, and Sandpoint, Idaho. I really had no idea just how beautiful all these places were going to be, and I was not disappointed!

Glacier National Park

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Did Earliest Church Leaders Teach the Salvation of All?

Aug
 5

Did the earliest and most respected Church Fathers after Christ believe in hell…or did they believe in the ultimate restoration of all people in a purposeful and redemptive plan of future ages? You can find more information on each of these Eastern Church fathers (and others) by reading Raising Hell or by researching them on Google. The Eastern Church was the church of Paul and the apostles. The teaching of hell began in the Western Church at Rome, but not until several centuries after Christ.

Clement of Alexandria (150–215 AD)

“And how is He Saviour and Lord, if not the Saviour and Lord of all? But He is the Saviour of those who have believed, because of their wishing to know; and the Lord of those who have not believed, till, being enabled to confess him, they obtain the peculiar and appropriate boon which comes by Him.”

“..all things are arranged with a view to the salvation of the universe by the Lord of the universe, both generally and particularly. It is then the function of the righteousness of salvation to improve everything as far as practicable. For even minor matters are arranged with a view to the salvation of that which is better, and for an abode suitable for people’s character. Now everything that is virtuous changes for the better; having as the proper cause of change the free choice of knowledge, which the soul has in its own power. But necessary corrections, through the goodness of the great overseeing Judge, both by the attendant angels, and by various acts of anticipative judgment, and by the perfect judgment, compel egregious sinners to repent.”

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Raising Hell Book Review Part 2

Aug
 0
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Continuing Part 2 of Alice Spicer’s review of Raising Hell:

If you haven’t read (Part One) Book Review: Raising Hell, please do so now.  This is the second part of the book review for Julie Ferwerda’s new book, Raising Hell: Christianity’s Most Controversial Doctrine Put Under Fire.  I skipped over chapter 14 on purpose, because I wanted to camp out there at the beginning of this blog, however, I need to backtrack a bit further after reading a blog comment on part one, as follows:

“Regarding the presence of universalism in the early centuries of Christianity, it is far from certain whether the church fathers the author mentions, including Origen, embraced this doctrine, at least in the sense of believing that in the end all persons will be restored to God.”

The names Ferwerda mentions come with quotes.  I’ll be brief here, because my aim is not to rewrite her book, and only mention a bit of what she writes.  But keep in mind that she, also, is brief in her writing considering how much information is actually out there.  Studying church history is something that takes time and effort.  Readers can research for themselves to verify the accuracy of Ferwerda’s claims.

Clement of Alexandria (150-213 AD) “For all things are ordered both universally and in particular by the Lord of the universe, with a view to the salvation of the universe.  But needful corrections… compel even those who have become more callous to repent… So he saves all…”

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Julie Ferwerda candid

Learn more about Julie »

Check Out Julie’s Books

Too tame? Try this…

Raising Hell:
Christianity’s Most Controversial Doctrine Put Under Fire

If hell is the worst possible fate of mankind, and if God is truly loving, then…
  • Why did He fail to mention hell in Genesis as the price for sin?
  • Why doesn’t the Old Testament ever speak of hell?
  • Why does Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, never once mention hell?
  • Why was hell not part of the established doctrine of the early Church after Christ?
  • Why are the top theologians unable to agree if we are saved by election or free will?
  • Why did Jesus purposely hide truth from the crowds and Gentiles?
Dare to question. If you’ve ever had doubts or questions about the fairness or justification of eternal torment, Raising Hell will open your eyes to a radically new look at God’s love for all mankind and what the Good News is really about.

Order your copy on Amazon today!

More info on Raising Hell? Go to our book site.

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