Hell, No?
I was amazed at this interview. Carlton Pearson, the pastor of New Dimensions in Tulsa, Oklahoma, has come out and said he does not believe in Hell. In fact, he calls his new doctrine the Gospel of Inclusion but it is nothing more than repackaged, slick marketed universal reconciliation or universal salvation. We should not be surprised that he has moved in this direction to denying the existence of Hell. He is in the United Church of Christ denomination. In 2004, the Joint College of African-American Pentecostal Bishops formally named him a heretic as reported in this article. His response to this charge is here. It simply a reworking of the same old heresies put forth by Origen. Pearson is a well educated, learned man who is very sincere in his beliefs but he is sincerely wrong. The so-called proof texts he uses are easily disproved.
Millard J. Erickson in his work, Christian Theology, deals with these issues in pages 1015-1019. As he points out, Philippians 2:10-11 and Colossians 1:19-20 does not say that all will be saved but rather that the order of the universe will be restored and with that restoration, everything will be brought under subjection to God. Those who rebel against God will be defeated and offer reluctant submission to God but it does not mean they will be brought into fellowship with God. 1 Timothy 4:10 and Hebrews 2:9 point to the fact that Jesus Christ died for all and salvation is available to all but not all will be saved because there will be those who reject the gift of salvation. These verses may be used to argue for universal atonement but not universal salvation. Romans 5:18 and 1 Corinthians 15:22 quite clearly are used to draw parallels between the first Adam and the second Adam, Jesus Christ as to show the sin of Adam as compared with the salvation by Christ. A reading of them in context shows that Paul was referring to all believers, not all mankind. Finally, let’s consider Romans 11:32 which seems to suggest that God saves all but a careful reading shows that Paul is talking about Israel’s rejection of Jesus and the offer of salvation made to all Gentiles. Only those who accept the gift of salvation will profit from it.
Not everyone will be saved. This simple biblical fact should drive us to further evangelistic zeal and efforts to save those who are lost. If we as a Convention do not reaffirm our belief in Hell and reject the tenets of open theism, we shall soon travel down this wide path.
Really! That’s sad how you treated Mr. Pearson. I was where he was for 59 years before God led me to the gospel of grace. Perhaps it deserves another look. Blessings to you.
Comment by Don R — July 18, 2007 @ 8:21 pm
We find additional Biblical confirmation of Jesus’s mission to save all souls in the writings of Paul. The Apostle Paul, whose letters comprise the largest portion of the New Testament, never mentioned hell in any of his messages to churches and individuals that came to be included in the Bible. That says a lot right there. More importantly, he made several statements that explicitly rule out the possibility of eternal damnation and promote the idea of universal reconciliation through Christ.
Comment by Don R — July 18, 2007 @ 8:28 pm
Blessings to you, Don R., for I sincerely desire God’s blessings for you and your family.
I looked in Paul’s writings to the Romans in chapter 2:6-8 and found this passage to indicate to me that there are two separate and very different ends to the lives of humans based on our choices. In verse 6, Paul states that “God “will give to each person according to what he has done.”". The quote within the quote eludes to Psalm 62:12.
Psalm 62:12 (New International Version)
12 and that you, O Lord, are loving.
Surely you will reward each person
according to what he has done.
God is loving, in fact, He is love, and thus, in verse 7, Paul refers to the reward(s) of Psalm 62:12 in that “(T)o those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life”. The reward is eternal life!
Now, there are 2 sides to every coin. For those who do good, eternal life. “But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.” (v. 8). If not eternal life, then eternal separation from God. Wrath and anger. Weeping and gnashing of teeth! (See Matthew 8:12 where Jesus refers to the subjects of the kingdom (the Jews I believe) who will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.)
Now according to the Apostle Peter, the Lord Jesus’ choice to lead the church, in 2 Peter 3:9 (KJV), “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” God greatly and immensely desires “that all should come to repentence”. Repentence. A choice to make. Two sides to the coin. Repent or not repent. Turn 180 degrees back to God or keeping going your own way. God desires that all should repent.
You might be familiar with the doctrine of election. I’ve read verses of scripture regarding it. I’m no expert but I’ve come to look at it this way:
If enough people “write-in” your name to be the mayor of your town such that you win the election, could we say that you are “elected” to the position of mayor. Now, what if you don’t want to accept that office. You don’t have to. It’s your choice. You can decline.
Now what if the God of the Universe, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, chooses to “write in” the name of every person ever born in the Lamb’s book of life. Therefore, all are elected. Every person ever born is the elect. Is this the Gospel of Inclusion? I think not. If anyone does not want to accept this office, this position, they don’t have to, it’s their choice. They can decline.
Our Lord Jesus Christ revealed the following to the Apostle John in Revelation 3:5:
“He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” Here’s where I need your help, Pastor Quinn. It seems to me that everyone’s name is in the book of life and that those who “do not overcome” will have their names blotted out. Am I understanding this correctly? I need to study Revelation more about the book of life, the different judgments, etc.
That last 4 paragraphs aside, I still believe that Paul, in Romans 2:6-8, is outlining the results of two choices we have regarding how we live our lives. Now, according to the author of Hebrews 9:27,”And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” There are no second chances. It’s now or never.
Sincerely, John (Thunder Son)
Comment by John Paulk — July 19, 2007 @ 3:01 am
sad to hear about carlton pearson’s heresy.
amen to a biblical understanding of gehenna and a renewed evangelistic zeal.
Comment by ted k. — March 1, 2008 @ 7:34 am
What kind of God do you have that condemns all men to death and eternal damnation without any choice of their own, yet he requires that man, with very little knowledge, has to make the choice of salvation. Isn’t this “Guilty until proven innocent!!!”
Comment by Mark — March 28, 2008 @ 10:27 pm
Thank you for stopping by and your comment, Mark.
You make a simple mistake in your logic that can easily be corrected. You are assuming that man is innocent yet when we examine the evidence, we see we stand condemned. In the book of Romans, Paul points out that we know what is right but yet we choose not to do it. Our own conscience convicts us of our guilt. As a judge, He must deliver the sentence of death.
Now, as to our innocence, let us consider the Law. Have you ever told a lie? Have you ever taken anything that wasn’t yours without permission? Jesus says if you hate your brother, it is the same as committing the sin of murder and if you look upon a woman lustfully then you have committed the sin of adultery in your heart.
Very simply, we are all guilty and the penalty must be paid. Jesus paid that price for us if we are willing to accept His free gift of salvation.
Comment by Quinn Hooks — March 29, 2008 @ 2:31 am
Just saw this post today, brother. Believe it or not, I did a series on this topic in Jan. 2007.
Comment by Rev — March 29, 2008 @ 10:20 pm
Maybe I am looking at this wrong, not sure. God’s will is that all men be saved and Satan’s will is that all men be destroyed and Jesus’ death and resurrection was God’s way of overcoming sin and death. According to the latest numbers only about 5% of the world’s population are reborn Christians (otherwise saved). So the score stands; God: 5 - Satan: 95. Who’s will is actually being fulfilled, God or Satan? And do the numbers actually reflect a victory for God on the cross?
Comment by Mark — April 17, 2008 @ 6:14 pm
Mark - Just curious…are you a Christian? If not, then I’d invite you to read the Gospel of John. If so, I’d still invite you to read the Gospel of John but note how Christ came to give His life for His sheep. Then you’ll begin to appreciate the victory the Lord Jesus *has* won.
Comment by Rev. — April 19, 2008 @ 4:58 am
Mark,
As to the scorekeeping, I would propose you are using the wrong scoreboard.
Comment by Quinn Hooks — April 19, 2008 @ 3:45 pm
Rev, Yes, I am a Christian. I am not sure if you understand what I am meaning. What I am trying to say is, if man has free-will and the numbers show that only 5% of men chose salvation, then how can that be a victory for Christ, especially if it is God’s will that all men be saved. The only way I can see a victory for Christ is that 1) all men will be reconciled with God or 2) the victory of the Cross means something that does not have to do with man’s sin or death.
A short explanation of my testimony: I did not choose Christ, he chose me. I did not attend any revival, altar call, or Church when I was reborn. Actually, I did not even want to be a Christian. You could even say that I was totally 100% against Christianity. Christ, basically grabbed me and said that I belong to him, no questions asked. It was something of a “Saul to Paul experience”, and at the time I had no idea who Paul was.
Comment by Mark — April 19, 2008 @ 3:51 pm
Quinn, If I am using the wrong scoreboard, please explain to me the correct scoreboard. One that shows a God that loves us unconditionally (that means no conditions at all, including our salvation, because that puts a condition on his love)and shows that God is truly victorious over all sin and death!
Comment by Mark — April 19, 2008 @ 7:41 pm
Mark,
Your questions deserve more than a brief answer in a comment thread. I will work this week on a sequel to this post to answer your questions.
Comment by Quinn Hooks — April 19, 2008 @ 9:46 pm
I would like to recommend Chadwick Ivester’s post on this question. The question you pose is rooted in the doctrine of the Atonement of Christ as opposed to the doctrine of Hell.
I have been inspired to write my dissertation for Covington on the aspects of Hell. Hopefully, I will have it done by next year
Comment by Quinn Hooks — April 28, 2008 @ 7:19 pm
Rev, I took your advice and read The gospel of John and here is what I see.
John 6:39 And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
John 17:2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as (all) thou hast given him.
With only 5% of man, if that many, going to Heaven and 95% of man going to eternal damnation, it sure looks like Christ has lost a huge amount of what the Father gave him. That’s not a very good testimony.
Now, we could say the Father only gave Christ 5% of all mankind, but that goes against everything in Scripture.
John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw (drag) all men unto me.
Interesting, Christ himself, said he will draw (drag) ALL men to him. Not just 5%!!!
As far as if I am looking at a wrong scoreboard or not. No one has yet to show me a different one, except that all men will be eventually reconciled with God. Then the score will stand; God - 100, Satan - 0.
This is not doing away with Hell. It only makes Hell a temporary punishment. Which shows a true and just God. One where the punishment fits the crime.
Not one that is going to torment and punish the person who has basically done nothing wrong except for not giving their life to Christ the same as one who has murdered thousands of God’s creation.
Comment by Mark — May 11, 2008 @ 5:52 pm
dude iam a jew and i dont believe in hell there is no such thing because iam a jew!!
Comment by jew israeli — May 20, 2008 @ 11:24 pm
Dude,
The closest explanation for your response seems to be the Ethical Fallacy known as False Authority which asks audiences to agree with the assertion of a writer based simply on his or her character or the authority of another person or institution who may not be fully qualified to offer that assertion. You can study more about fallacies at:
http://projects.uwc.utexas.edu/handouts/?q=node/30
http://www.vandruff.com/art_converse.html#a
Comment by Quinn Hooks — May 21, 2008 @ 2:16 am