Inclusion?

The following article was written by Rev. Carlton Pearson followed by my comments on the subject. I began a discussion with my fellow pastors at my church about this inclusion topic. When they respond, I'll add their comments on the subject.
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There are fewer matters more urgent in today's pluralistic culture than the issue of the centrality of the cross and the accurate articulation and expression of the Universal love of God toward all of humankind.
As stated in I John 2:2, "He, (Jesus) is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only our sins [inclusion], but the sins of the whole world." The atonement of Christ for the sin of the world, was and is inclusive and is not limited to a few fortunate believers.
Does being "born-again" save us or does it simply bring to light a condition that already exists—wrought and bought by the blood of Jesus at Calvary? Does believing make you born-again or does being born-again make me a believer?
I think we in evangelical Christianity have ignored the Sovereignty of God and limited the scope and sweep of His great Love toward all. Scripture says, "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" ( Romans 5:20)— He died once for all. (Romans 6:10 and 1 Pet. 3:18) And contrary to popular opinion, our belief systems and religious presuppositions do not invalidate or reverse the effectiveness or efficiency of the finished work of Calvary. (Rom. 3:3).
If death is automatic because of Adam, life is automatic because of Christ, without our vote or prior approval. As the disobedience of one man made us all sinners, by the obedience of one man we were all made righteous. (Romans 5:12-14 and 1 Cor. 15:22).
The whole world is saved (redeemed), but all are not aware. Jesus is the Savior of, not just for, all men, but has a special relationship with those who believe. Those who recognize and Acknowledge this truth have been given the message and ministry of reconciliation—the very Words and logic of God, to share with the unknowing an unbelieving world. (Romans 3:1-2 and 2Cor. 5:18-19).
I close with this quote sent to me by the VP of a major Christian publishing company; "...the Law of God condemns us all until, while we are still sinners, grace comes and liberates us from it's curse without a single condition attached; no improvements demanded, no promises extorted-just the extravagant, outrageous, hilarious absurdity of free grace and undying love."
Because all men were included in the finished work of Calvary, when all is said and done, ". . . every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is LORD—the Savior of the world!" (Phil. 2:9-11)
Peace,Bishop Carlton D. Pearson

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Here are my, John Ritter's, commnets:


Ok, Ok, so I couldn't wait to give my thoughts...

First off, for those of you who are not familiar with the theological term "inclusion" let me first define the term so we are all on the same page. The word inclusion is also used synonymously with universal reconciliation which is different from Unitarian Universalist's who basically believe that there are many ways to God aside from Christianity.

At any rate, universalist's believe that Christ died for all humanity with the caveat that all are saved wheather they realize it or not and that there is no literal hell. Hell comes in the form of a daily hell due to living in this temporary life which is filled with pain and disappointment. Thus, hell becomes anything that is seen as a trial or suffering here on this earth.
Here is a couple of points that are from the "Christian Universalist website that gives further insight: http://www.christianuniversalist.org/beliefs.html


4.
We believe in the ultimate triumph of divine mercy and grace: that no being ever created will be condemned or allowed to suffer forever, but God has arranged through a benevolent plan of learning and growth for all souls to attain salvation, reconciliation, restoration, and reunion with the Source of All Being, in the fullness of the ages.

6.
We believe in miracles and mysterious spiritual phenomena, such as the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which transcend materialistic views of reality.

7.
We believe that God's Holy Spirit has inspired numerous prophets, saints, philosophers, and mystics throughout history, in a variety of cultures and traditions; and that by reading the Bible and other great texts of spiritual and moral wisdom with a discerning mind, and meditating to connect to the Spirit within, we may all gain a greater understanding of truth, which should be applied for the betterment of ourselves and our world.


The reason that I mention the whole concept of universalism is due to the fact that Carlton Pearson embraces Universalist ideals. Although it be true that Christ died that none should perish or the universality of Christ death being made for the sacrifice of sin for all mankind, there will be those who will not make it into the new kingdom of heaven as described in the book of Revelations Ch. 20 verses 14-15 " 13And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds. 14Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15And if anyones name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. " (NASB) Although much of the book of Revelations can be seen as symbolic as it relates to eschatology as it reflects apocalyptic literature as was seen by the writings of Daniel, Jeremiah and so on; the concept that there is a hell that those who do not rely upon the righteousness of Christ will be lost.

Therefore, if one were to come to the believe that all mankind has now become "saved-redeemed-born/again" but not yet come to the "self-awareness" of that salvation/redemption as the universalists do, then one would have to disregard this portion of holy scripture which clearly points out that those who name are not written in the book will be cast into the lake of fire. Obviously the universalist would comment that the text here contains the word "if", which would indicate that it is possible that there could be no-one that would go there. However, consideration must be given to the context of the scripture used so that all would be cleared up. For the text is directly relating to those who are physicallly dead and who are being judged according to their deeds on earth. So, the word "if" that is in the text is really refering to those who are dead and according to their deeds have not trusted upon Christ for salvation then they will be lost to a firey eternity as stated above. He, John, is relating the scene that was being played out beofore him...that if those who were coming before God were not found in the book of life, then they would be discarded in the lake of fire.

Now on to the word "self awareness". Contained within the other e-mail that I sent, Mr. Pearson stated that, "The whole world is saved (redeemed), but all are not aware. Jesus is the Savior of, not just for , all men, but has a special relationship with those who believe. Those who recognize and Acknowledge this truth have been given the message and ministry of reconciliation—the very Words and logic of God, to share with the unknowing an unbelieving world. (Romans 3:1-2 and 2Cor. 5:18-19)."

The key phrase here that he uses is "but all are not aware". Here is where it also be comes a problem due to the fact that salvation is now based upon awareness or knowledge. Understandably, we are all in the state of darkness until we come to an understanding of needing forgiveness from sin and accept Christ's death was meant for all of mankind which can be understood as a universality of Christ's death. However, the intention is not that all are currently in the state of salvation and simply not yet aware. This line of reasoning comes from arguments that has raged even from the earliest beginnings of Christianity. Even the early church fathers struggled with this issue of salvation merely being a state of one's awareness. St. Irenaeus wrote extensively concerning this in "Against All Herisies", when he made his defence against, yes you guessed it: Gnosticism. Gnosticism is : "A collective name for a large number of greatly-varying and pantheistic - idealistic sects, which flourished from some time before the Christian Era down to the fifth century, and which, while borrowing the phraseology and some of the tenets of the chief religions of the day, and especially of Christianity , held matter to be a deterioration of spirit, and the whole universe a depravation of the Deity, and taught the ultimate end of all being to be the overcoming of the grossness of matter and the return to the Parent-Spirit, which return they held to be inaugurated and facilitated by the appearance of some God-sent" See http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06592a.htm

At any rate, the belief that all is already saved but not yet fully aware of it is a dangerous pathway that can lead down the road of heresy. As for the text that Mr. Pearson uses of Romans 3:1-2, he insinuates that the idea of reconciliation to God has already been done through Christ. This sounds good, however it does not speak to the rest of the chapter which indicates that there is "none righteous, no not one"--words also found in : Ps 14:1-3; 53:1-3 . The context reveals that although Christ died for all, none are righteous. Righteousness according to Paul comes through faith in Christ alone and that all have sinned i.e. verse 23-24 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. (NASB) Therefore, having the state of forgivness is more than just a mere exhistance as a human being. Rather, it is a sate of being when one relies upon the work of Christ. Thus, all are not yet saved/redeemed/reconciled. See the next paragraph for more explanation of the word reconciliation.
As for 2 Cor 5:18-19, the bishop again zero's in only on the word of reconciliation within the text and fails to "include" verse 16-17 " 16 Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. 17Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. " (NASB) --Here the author, Paul, attests to the obvious that Christ is no longer with us on the earth in fleshly form but in in 17 brings out the meaning of his message to the Romans that if anyone is "in" Christ, ἐν which is a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), that is, a relation of a state of rest, which indicates that it is not an inclusive word but a word that indicates a state of being, meaning that one must rest in the righteousness of Christ to be counted righteous/redeemed/reconciled. The argument that is made in the text is that Christ has brought to us to reconciliation from a life of sin and death which was brought upon humanity through the sin of Adam i.e. "orrigional sin". We, as believers--those who have acknowldeged our state of sinfulness which kept us from God, and rest/rely upon Christ have now become ambassidors of reconciliation. Meaning that we as Christians have now been given the blessing of bringing others to reconciliation back to God through Christ from the state of sin.

All of this to say, that redemption/reconciliation/salvation only comes through reliance upon Christ and not just a mere aknowlegement that we are already saved/reconciled ect. Only by the His covering our sins via. his ulitimate sacrafice can one become the above i.e. saved through faith. Yes, salvation is available to all, however, all will not receive and some will be lost. We can discuss the issues of Theodicy later.

I hope that I have been clear in my presentation. I'm sure that I have missed something while I have been distracted by other things while typing this e-mail out. So, please respond with your concept of Soteriology.

Blessings;

Christmas at Lackland..

Well, since I haven't posted in over a year, I thought I'd begin posting again. I've renamed the blog to reflect a more theological theme since I would like to begin discussions on a theological level, I will also post daily goings on in the fam.

Yesterday was a wonderful day, we were able to wake up the kids and surprise them with some gifts that were not under the tree. David got a new tricycle and Daniel a rip-stick. Suffice to say, they wore themselves out yesterday and were ready for bedtime that night.

Tomorrow begins another day back at the squadron and much needed catching up on paperwork on my training folders.

I'll post more tomorrow, in the mean time--have a blessed day.

Seminary Postings...

On this blog, I have decided to post my papers that I wrote during Seminary. My hope is that you will find it interesting reading and feel the urge to comment on the subjects discussed. As always these papers are copywrited and my not be used without the authors persmission. Have fun and enjoy!