1. Welcome! We are glad you are here!

2. Exposing Counterfeit Faiths and Cults

3. Part 5: Universalism Why do this message series? We live in a great country where people are given the freedom to believe whatever they want. Evergreen Church is not in any way advocating the discrimination of a faith group with beliefs different from our own. Instead, we are using this message series to bring to light differing views of God and comparing them to what the Bible describes in order to more effectively pray for others and address their extra-Biblical beliefs.

4. Part 5: Universalism "How could a loving God send anyone to Hell?" This just may be the biggest spiritual question of our generation. Author and megachurch pastor Rob Bell addresses it in his recent controversial book "Love Wins". Is Rob Bell's conclusion that everyone will eventual make it to heaven supported by Scripture? What did Jesus Himself say on the subject?

5. Part 5: Universalism “Rob Bell Controversy” “Love Wins” is Rob Bell’s attempt to address this important question. It has stirred a lot of controversy and has many respected church leaders questioning the orthodoxy of his views on salvation, heaven, hell and the true character of God.

6. Part 5: Universalism “Rob Bell Controversy” Universalism: “a theological doctrine that all human beings will eventually be saved.” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary) There are variations on this theme but the bottom line of each is that no one, regardless of what they have done, will be kept out of heaven.

7. Part 5: Universalism “Rob Bell Controversy” Christian Universalists contend that the blood of Jesus washes away the sin of all mankind, regardless of their personal acceptance of it. Origen (184-253 AD) was one of the first to suggest this view of universal salvation and a concept of Hell that is either non- existent or vacant. Origen held out the possibility, that in the end all beings, perhaps even the Devil himself, would be reconciled to God in what is called the “apokatastasis” (Greek for “restitution”). (New Westminster Dictionary of Church History).

8. Part 5: Universalism “Rob Bell Controversy” Christian Universalists believe the blood of Jesus “covers the earth” (like the red paint of this Sherman Williams advertisement) regardless of personal preference or choice.

9. Part 5: Universalism “Rob Bell Controversy” Origen’s view of universal salvation without the need of personal, pre-mortem (before death) repentance and acceptance of Jesus as Savior was later rejected as false/heretical teaching because it was not supported by the Scriptures (Synod of Constantinople, 543AD).

10. Part 5: Universalism “Rob Bell Controversy” For Christian Universalists, the concept of a God that would hold anyone eternally accountable for their earthly wrong doing is an assault on God’s character. They argue that because “God is love” (1 John 4:8b), He could not and would not condemn anyone, no matter how evil (even Hitler), to an eternity in Hell.

11. Part 5: Universalism “Rob Bell Controversy” In our relativistic culture, Universalism has mass appeal. An “All Loving, All Accepting” God is much more palatable than a “Holy and Just” God that would hold people eternally accountable for their sin. Even many Bible- believing Christians today could be described as “practical universalists” for holding their tongues for fear of being thought by others as “narrow minded.”

12. Part 5: Universalism “Rob Bell Controversy” Biblical Christianity teaches that through Christ, God is both “All Loving” and “All Just.” All Loving: God’s gift of salvation in Christ is free to all. He desires all to receive it but forces it on no one. (2 Peter 3:9) All Just: God is a just judge of sin. The penalty for sin was paid in full for those in Christ. (Romans 6:23) To describe God as one without the other is to paint a false picture of Him.

13. Part 5: Universalism “In His own words – Jesus on Salvation, Heaven and Hell” John 14:6 “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

14. Part 5: Universalism “In His own words – Jesus on Salvation, Heaven and Hell” Matt. 25:46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

15. Part 5: Universalism “In His own words – Jesus on Salvation, Heaven and Hell” Matt. 7:13-14 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road to that leads to destruction and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

16. Part 5: Universalism Other Scriptures to consider Revelation 20:10-15 “And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever…If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”

17. Part 5: Universalism Other Scriptures to consider 2 Corinthians 2:15-16 “For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task?”

18. Part 5: Universalism Closing: It may not be politically correct these days to state with confidence your Biblical beliefs in Jesus as the only way to Heaven or the reality of Hell, but to do any less would not be truthful or caring.

19. Part 5: Universalism Suggested Viewing/Reading: “Erasing Hell” by Francis Chan http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnrJVTSYLr8

20. See you next Sunday!