A Case For Hopeful Universalism (Maybe)

From a different angle, as we've described in this series, the world hasn't yet been fully created. The world is, rather, being born. Apokatastasis, in this view, is the true creation of the world. Fully and finally. Creation is happening right now and sits out before us. As Bulgakov writes, "This is God's inalienable gift to creation, the completion of His work on the world." The beginning of the world and its final redemption are a single creative act. Following Paul in Romans, what we experience in this life are labor pains. This world is a womb and we are being born.

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Again, the salvation of the lost, through the fires of hell and the eschatological labor pains, goes to the very logic of creation itself. The moral logic of creation implies apokatastasis, the restoration of all things where God is "all in all." "Otherwise," says Bulgakov, "creation would appear to be an error or failure, since it would end with the eternity of hell, even if this were accompanied by the eternity of heaven.

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caffeinated hermit said:

I've come to a point where I believe that Hell is Purgative, if not for all, then at least for some. So... some articles :

We Have Been Saved From The Foundation of the World

When Jesus Said "Universal Restoration"

The Severity of Universal Salvation

(Grimmer, but interesting point) The Fire of Purgatory Comes From Hell

So, yes, there is a case for this, at least, a case for Hope. I don't think a huge bulk of 500 A.D and prior Christians were insane or imagining a doctrine that was not, in some way, Apostolic or original.

So, my weird theory that no Catholic, Orthodox, or Protestant Christian is likely to agree on is that Hell and Purgatory are, in a sense, the same place. Whether one is rescued is not about being in one area or the other, but whether one is capable of crying out to Christ or imagining His Mercy could apply to them from within their suffering. There are so many near-death experiences where people describe being rescued by Christ from what seems to be Hell, and I think the possibility of repentance and grace after death should be considered, on some level.

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caffeinated hermit said:

Ok, so, if every sin will be forgiven man save for blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, this really opens up the possibility of salvation even for those who have not heard of Christ or His Spirit.

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caffeinated hermit said:

And, really, what is meant by this unforgivable sin has been debated for 2,000 years.

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caffeinated hermit said:

I've come to a point where I believe that Hell is Purgative, if not for all, then at least for some. So... some articles :

We Have Been Saved From The Foundation of the World

When Jesus Said "Universal Restoration"

The Severity of Universal Salvation

(Grimmer, but interesting point) The Fire of Purgatory Comes From Hell

So, yes, there is a case for this, at least, a case for Hope. I don't think a huge bulk of 500 A.D and prior Christians were insane or imagining a doctrine that was not, in some way, Apostolic or original.

So, my weird theory that no Catholic, Orthodox, or Protestant Christian is likely to agree on is that Hell and Purgatory are, in a sense, the same place. Whether one is rescued is not about being in one area or the other, but whether one is capable of crying out to Christ or imagining His Mercy could apply to them from within their suffering. There are so many near-death experiences where people describe being rescued by Christ from what seems to be Hell, and I think the possibility of repentance and grace after death should be considered, on some level.

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Maria Billingsley said:

If you read scripture without any lens , it's pretty clear. All sin is forgivable. And it is obvious if one rejects the Creator, the Creator will reject them. We have an entire life cycle to figure it out. If you can't figure it out before you die you will not be one who will be resurrected into everlasting life but resurrected into condemnation.

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Jeff Saunders said:

" If you can't figure it out before you die you will not be able to be one who will be resurrected into everlasting life but resurrected into condemnation".

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