Reddit mentions of Four Views on Hell: Second Edition (Counterpoints: Bible and Theology)

>So if you are going to set the bar at whatever is "possible" rather than the more widely accepted "best explanation" then you've pretty much conceded defeat.

I obviously think Universal Reconciliation is the most likely or best explanation. Since I assume you disagree I am presenting you with an option that you might not have considered. I hope to convince you, at least, that it is a reasonable explanation, even if you don't ultimately adopt it.

>Listing verses isn't an argument; Please explain how each verse teaches universalism - i.e. is the best explanation for the interpretation of that verse.

Initially you just asked for where in the bible I was getting this, but I can form an argument as well. Here's a description of how three passages point to the reconciliation of all things.

Colossians 1

In verses 15-23 we have Paul describing the marvels of Christ. Jesus is the very image by which we see God, the one all things were created by, and through, and for. He is first above all things. Then we get 19 and 20.
>For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

The passage is speaking of the creation of all things by Christ, the purpose of all things in Christ, the preeminence of Christ over all things, and finally the reconciliation of all things through him and his blood.

Paul seems to think the story ends in universal reconciliation. I have a hard time seeing hell as the final "reconciliation" of God with sinners.

Romans 5

Paul begins contemplating the ownder of our reconciliation to God through Christ, and the wonder that he showed love to us while we were yet in rebellion against him.

He then turns to discuss the reign of sin and death in our world. He discusses Adam - the type of Christ - through whom we share in sin and death.

We then have verses 18-21:
>Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Condemnation has fallen on all men, so - in Christ - God's righteousness and justification will take hold of all men.

Death has had its reign in mankind, but grace will abound all the more.


1 Corinthians 15

Paul begins with discussing the death and resurrection of Christ, and then turns to discuss resurrection of the dead in general. He maintains that it is by the resurrection of Christ that we have hope for our own resurrection.

We then have verses 21-28:
> For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.

As every one of us like Adam has turned from God and suffers the fate of Adam, so in Christ all shall be made alive.


If you are interested in going into more depth on this topic, I would recommend Zondervan's Four Views on Hell book from their counterpoints series. In it you'll find arguments for and against Conscious Eternal Torment, Annihilationism, and Ultimate Reconciliation.

Here, I wanted to just make sure that you were aware things like this exist:

Four Views on Hell: Second Edition (Counterpoints: Bible and Theology) https://www.amazon.com/dp/0310516463/

Four different views of Hell and the afterlife, from four different theologians. Only one view is 'eternal conscious torment.'

I was raised evangelical, too, and did some time in the Baptist church. They probably won't have told you about things like this.

I'm not saying that you need to believe any of this, just that you should be aware of it. The 'universal truth' that the Baptists will teach you isn't the whole story. They just think it is, and like to make others think that too.

If you look through the reviews of the book, some people have posted the argument summaries into their reviews.

Four Views on Hell: Second Edition (Counterpoints: Bible and Theology) https://www.amazon.com/dp/0310516463/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_35nYCb5NKW6BA

You should read a book not written by the watchtower for once in your life.