Core Seminar: Apologetics / Response to Universalism

Christian Apologetics is the discipline of offering a defense of and case for, or offer evidence for, the veracity and reliability of the Christian faith.

Three Myths that need to be addressed

All religions are the same.

It doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you are sincere.

Christians who believe that Jesus is the only way to God are just being judgmental and arrogant.

Two Questions that need answered

Will anyone experience a literal, eternal Hell?

Is the work of Christ necessary for salvation?

“All religions are a path to reach God. They are – I make a comparison – like different languages, different idioms, to get there. But God is God for everyone,” Pope Francis told a gathering of young people Sept. 13, at an interreligious meeting at the Catholic Junior College of Singapore, according to a text of the speech published by the Vatican.

The pope continued: “And since God is God for everyone, we are all children of God. ‘But my God is more important than yours!’ Is this true? There is only one God, and our religions are languages, paths to reach God. Some are Sikh, some are Muslim, some are Hindu, some are Christian, but they are different paths.”

When is heresy the right word?

The word appears in the New Testament, usually translated as sect, and was appropriated by the state ran “church” to mean a sect or division that threatened the unity of Christians. Heresy eventually became regarded as a departure from orthodoxy.

Emperor Constantine (ca A.D. 280– 337) reigned over a major transition in the Roman Empire. His conversion or professed conversation to Christianity brought relief of persecution but brought in many problems we still deal with today.

However, I realize we would have been considered heretics at that time. We would have been called Sacrementarians

Self-Created Doctrines

In the New Testament, heresy is used to describe created doctrines that do not come from God. For example, in Titus 3:10, a "heretic" is someone who answers their own "questions."

Titus 3:9–10 “9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. 10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;”

"All roads lead to God"

"How can you say that Jesus is the only way? How rude! How arrogant! How judgy!"

"All religions teach basically the same thing."

"All religions have a different piece of the truth."

"I think that sincere people will be OK."

"I just think that God knows our hearts and that good people will be OK."

Three Myths that need to be addressed

All religions are the same.

Categories of Religions

Monotheism – Teaches There Is One God. - Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.

They may reach similar conclusions about morality and ethics.

But they differ dramatically on the Authority of the Bible and the Person of Jesus Christ.

Polytheistic – Teaches There Are Many gods (Hinduism, Eastern Religions, New Age, Greeks & Egyptians, Platonists).

Christians and polytheists agree there is a God – and we are not him.

We would also agree that humankind’s , thoughts and actions affect their standing with god.

But polytheists’ view of authority and history are radically different, morality and ethics are somewhat all over the board, and they certainly do not recognize Jesus and the Bible.

Pantheism – All is god, god is in all (Buddhism, Classical & Zen, Animism).

Christians hold few beliefs in common with pantheistic religions.

They might recognize the Bible and Jesus are guides, but would say only use them if they are of pragmatic help to you.

Different religions do not desire to be considered the same, the belief they are in agreement is contrary to their belief systems and is a religion in of itself.

Not all religions have the same destination as their goal.

After asserting that Comet Hale–Bopp was the sign that the group had been looking for, as well as the speculation that an unidentified flying object (UFO) may have been trailing the comet, Applewhite and his 38 followers prepared for ritual suicide, coinciding with the closest approach of the comet, so their souls could reach the Next Level before the closure of "Heaven's Gate".

It doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you are sincere.

Many have been sincere and they were sincerely wrong.

The 9/11 Terrorist were sincere.

Jim Jones and his cult was obviously sincere.

“God knows our hearts and good people will be okay.” There is none that are good. Genocide is normally committed “normal people.” Humans have the incredible ability to justify all their wrong behavior.

Christians who believe that Jesus is the only way to God are just being judgmental and arrogant.

Here we should use arguments from Jesus’ own words and the words of the disciples. John 14:6 “6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Acts 4:12 “12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

We can use arguments regarding the validity of the New Testament manuscripts to point out the authenticity of the historical record. These are not our assertions.

Furthermore, there are numerous other religions that make exclusive truth claims. Making such a claim does not prove its veracity, but neither is such a claim limited to Christianity.

Question: Do you think you can agree with everyone? Yes I do. I don’t think you can. Yes, I can. Repeat until they recognize what is happening.

Romans 3:21–24 (KJV)

21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Man’s universal need and God’s universal offer.

Being justified: Paul develops his teaching about salvation around three themes.

Justification is an image from the court of law. Justification solves the problem of man’s guilt before a righteous Judge.

·Redemption is an image from the slave market. Redemption solves the problem of man’s slavery to sin, the world, and the devil. Propitiation solves the problem of offending our Creator.

·Propitiation is an image from the world of religion, appeasing God through sacrifice. Romans 3:25 “25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;”

Will anyone experience a literal, eternal Hell?

Four Reasons Universalism so readily accepted

Cultural Relativism:

In a society that increasingly embraces pluralism and relativism, the idea that all paths lead to the same destination is appealing.

Emphasis on God's Love:

Universalism's focus on God's all-encompassing love resonates with many people who struggle with the concept of a loving God allowing eternal punishment.

Rob Bell wrote a book about a decade ago called “Love Wins”. Popular among undiscerning, evangeical uoung people.

This perspective simplifies the complex nature of God's justice and mercy, making it more palatable to a broad audience.

Rejection of Traditional Doctrines:

Many find traditional doctrines of hell and eternal punishment difficult to reconcile with their understanding of a benevolent deity.

Emotional Comfort:

The idea that everyone will eventually be saved offers emotional comfort to those grieving over the fate of loved ones who did not profess faith in Christ.

Belief in a literal, Hell brings a continual sorrow.

In an Italian television interview, Pope Francis said that he hopes hell is empty, and that this is a personal thought and not a dogma of faith.

Biblical Response

Jesus speaks often about a literal, eternal Hell. Matthew 10:28 “28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Hell is a place of conscience torment. Revelation 20:10 “10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.”

Jesus says that Judas’s future is so terrible that he will regret having come into existence. Matthew 26:24 “24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.”

Jesus says that there is a kind of sin that will never be forgiven. Matthew 12:32 “32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.”

Is the work of Christ necessary for salvation?

Alternatives proposed

Morality is sufficient.

This knowledge is not knowable.

“Christian” Universalism / the view that all human beings will ultimately be saved and restored to a right relationship with God.

Biblical Response

The whole world” has become accountable to God for its sin. Romans 3:19 “19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.”

The universal necessity of Christ’s redeeming is correlated with the act of Adam in universal condemnation. Romans 5:17–19 “17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.”

The problem between God and humanity is one; namely sin. God sent one mediator to deal with it. 2 Timothy 2:5–6 “5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. 6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.”

Jesus, the Lamb, purchases people from every tribe through the shedding of His blood. Revelation 5:9–10 “9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”

Closing Story

Peter, along with James and John, was privileged to witness our Lord’s transfigured glory only days after Peter’s great confession that Jesus is the Christ.

When Peter suggested building each of them a tent with Jesus, the Father would have none of it. Matthew 17:4 “4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.”

Matthew 17:5–7 “5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. 6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. 7 And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.”

Those were his prophets, but this was his Son! Matthew 17:8 “8 And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.”

The motto of all true servants of God must be, “We preach Christ; and him crucified.”

What are we to do with this information?

Be diligent as you study these matters.

This is far too important of a matter to simply take someone’s word for it. Study the Scripture and be convinced. 1 Timothy 4:15–16 “15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. 16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”

Being loving as you share this truth.

We should be humbled that in history and presently there have been millions that have never been shown the truth and have created their won doctrines to fill the gaps of their understanding. Ephesians 4:15 “15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”