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Give it a try I'd like to recommend this book to all grappling with this very difficult subject. No, it is not likely to convince those firmly committed to biblical inerrancy. But it may help those who are deeply disturbed by the implications of the doctrine of hell to see that there are alternative viewpoints held by other no-less deeply committed Christians. The authors both exhibit a wonderful graciousness, courage and compassion in their writing that is truly exemplary of Christian maturity and love.
One reviewer was put off that the book was substantially anecdotal and emotional. While other books key in on more biblical and philosophical argumentations for Universalism (Thomas Talbott and Jan Bonda as examples), I frankly welcome this approach to the discussion as well. In fact, perhaps a significant missing element in conservative articulations of hell as eternal torment is the lack of emotional coherency. To consign any living, feeling human to such an excessively tortuous existence is truly emotionally gut wrenching to say the least, if not down right ghastly. (And don't overlook the implication of the conservative position that those who are "destined to fry" are not only Hitler and Attila the Hun but the friendly next door neighbor or relative who die unsaved as well.) Perhaps our felt emotional responses have important ways to clue us about truth as well as our intellects or our fidelities to orthodox belief. But both authors are in no way guilty of shallow emotive propagandizing in articulating why they came to their Universalistic convictions.
I write this review as once a believer in biblical infallibility and one who grimly conceded the reality of hell as the destiny for the unsaved after death. However, over the course of my own theological odyssey I have come to the belief that this and really all biblical doctrines ultimately point to the essence of who God is. How one responds to this doctrine very much characterizes how one understands God's nature. Is God's essence consistently, fully LOVE or does it need to be substantially qualified by other attributes such as wrath and retributional justice?
Certainly, one may believe God expresses anger and "wrath" towards human sinfulness but perhaps this is better understood as an expression of his love, somewhat analogous to a parent who would not let their son or daughter commit destructive acts towards others or themselves without "redemptive" discipline and restoration. However, the goal is always redemptive not destruction of the person. Hell as eternal torment surely confuses this and in the end God tragically comes off as a cosmic sadist.
One reviewer described the authors' views of Universalism as "warm-and-fuzzy". However the authors surely contest that viewpoint throughout. One of the most difficult and demanding teachings of Jesus was his call to his followers to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them just as God responds in goodness to "his enemies". Hardly warm-and-fuzzy teaching to say the least! But this is precisely the type of love Universalism speaks of God. Warm-and-fuzzy? No. The kind that can in the tortuous pain of crucifixion pray for the forgiveness of one's tormentors? Absolutely!
I'd also like to respond briefly to another common misperception of Universalism. The straw man argument that Universalism paints an image of a God who lets everybody off the hook by winking his eye to sin, thus promoting rampant lawlessness and no need for God or for salvation in Christ, simply demonstrates a lack of understanding.
First, what is the implication of that kind of logic? That it takes the whopping threat of damnation to get people to come to God, accept salvation and want to behave? Isn't the central point of Christian faith that being in relationship with God is the most staggering privilege and joy imaginable, that no life without God can bring the deepest sense of meaning and wholeness that we all crave? Further, learning to love and care for others as God loves is the pathway to the greatest freedom and abundance of life, the most compelling reason to live a godly life not servile fear of threat. Finally, "sin" is often destructive both for the one who sins and the ones sinned against. Universalism in no ways implies God simply winks his eye to sin, unmoved by the plight of humanity enslaved to it or to those who grievously suffer because of it. Salvation is the gracious gift of the hound of heaven who pursues every sinner to turn them from lives that can in the end only offer alienation and misery to lives lived in vibrant connection to God and others. No central tenet of the Christian faith falls of necessity in light of Universalistic belief.
Readers will find the extravagance of God's grace is very much the theme of the book, very often colored by biographical vignettes from the authors' own spiritual pilgrimages. The authors engage us to ask the question of our own experiences of grace, if they will not take us to the same conclusion. This is not a book for discovering tight theological and biblical argumentation and readers will need to research other books to compliment this one.
I found the book, overall, very enriching and encouraging. Because of its simplicity and charitableness, it came as a breath of fresh air in a world bound by an often graceless and retributional mindset. It is with great gratitude to the authors that I highly recommend reading this book with open mind and heart. |
