Christian Universalism. What's not to like?

[Lazarus Short]

Afterlife events and destinies are classified according to professional Los Angeles sports teams.
LAKERS believe in a literal Lake of Fire as destination for unbelievers. CLIPPERS believe that when the cord of life mentioned in Ecclesiastes is clipped - you just die when you die. DODGERS seek another way out between Endless Burning and annihilation. CHARGERS believe you can burn up electrically like an eternal electric chair. I am a DODGER.

There is another way out.

 

[Gundy22]

"Hellfire" is a misnomer.

I'll watch out for that Hellfire. Also, not all earthquakes in the Bible are really earthquakes. In Revelation, it says there was an earthquake IN HEAVEN (the Greek word SEISMOS literally means a great shaking)

 

[Saint Steven]

Afterlife events and destinies are classified according to professional Los Angeles sports teams.
LAKERS believe in a literal Lake of Fire as destination for unbelievers. CLIPPERS believe that when the cord of life mentioned in Ecclesiastes is clipped - you just die when you die. DODGERS seek another way out between Endless Burning and annihilation. CHARGERS believe you can burn up electrically like an eternal electric chair. I am a DODGER.

You forgot the Anaheim Ducks, and the Los Angeles Angels.
UR proponents DUCK hell all together and go with the ANGELS. - lol

 

[Hmm]

Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord.
Luke 2: 9:11

Note the "all". Merry Christmas!

 

[Saint Steven]

Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord.
Luke 2: 9:11

Note the "all". Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to you as well.
Another friend of mine from the UK said "Happy Christmas" to me.
Is that more common?

Good tidings of great joy, which shall be to SOME people?

 

[Hmm]

Merry Christmas to you as well.
Another friend of mine from the UK said "Happy Christmas" to me.
Is that more common?

Good tidings of great joy, which shall be to SOME people?

It probably is. Merry Christmas is more traditional which is probably why I, as a Christian universalist with roots going back to the Apostolic Fathers and to Paul, prefer it! None of this modern fangled Augustinian ECT for me.

It wouldn't surprise me if it's a class thing too as England is still pretty class conscious, as Brexit showed recently. Getting slightly drunk, or tipsy, is also called getting merry and so it has decadent and low life connotations which could explain the preference for Happy Christmas. What do you usually say in the US? The only thing I try to avoid is Xmas instead of Christmas.

 

[Saint Steven]

It probably is. Merry Christmas is more traditional which is probably why I, as a Christian universalist with roots going back to the Apostolic Fathers and to Paul, prefer it! None of this modern fangled Augustinian ECT for me.

It wouldn't surprise me if it's a class thing too as England is still pretty class conscious, as Brexit showed recently. Getting slightly drunk, or tipsy, is also called getting merry and so it has decadent and low life connotations which could explain the preference for Happy Christmas. What do you usually say in the US? The only thing I try to avoid is Xmas instead of Christmas.

The traditional greeting (across all classes) is Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. However, the PC version is just Happy Holidays, so as not to offend people who were never offended in the first place. - lol

 

[Hmm]

The traditional greeting (across all classes) is Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. However, the PC version is just Happy Holidays, so as not to offend people who were never offended in the first place. - lol

Yes, we have Happy Holidays too, and Winter Festival, so not to offend people who, as you say, are not offended anyway! It's a mad, mad world! In fact, I can't remember the last time I've been on a madder world.

 

[Saint Steven]

In fact, I can't remember the last time I've been on a madder world.

Oh my, tell us more. - lol

 

[Saint Steven]

Yes, we have Happy Holidays too, and Winter Festival, so not to offend people who, as you say, are not offended anyway!

Here's a musical collaboration I did with my other friend from the UK that gave me the Happy Christmas greeting. (not a Christmas song)

With A Twist (Co-written and performed with Steve 'Sketch' Lundgren)

 

[Saint Steven]

Here's a musical collaboration I did with my other friend from the UK that gave me the Happy Christmas greeting. (not a Christmas song)

With A Twist (Co-written and performed with Steve 'Sketch' Lundgren)

However, this one is a Christmas song. Written and recorded by me.
Lyrics posted below. (note UR reference at the end)

Gift-Wrapped

Title: Gift-Wrapped
Track Time: 03:04
Tempo: 128 BPM

VS 1
Bethlehem Star - traveled afar
Magi following - knew what it was
no map, no compass - to know where they are
wise men drawn to - the advent for us

CHORUS
Salvation came gift-wrapped - in swaddling clothes
no shiny paper - no ribbons or bows
Savior of the world - with baby fingers and toes
Emmanuel - God with us - just as foretold

VS 2
shepherds watched - their flocks by night
glorious light - never seen such a sight
angels singing - glad tidings bringing
rejoice, rejoice - for the newborn king

CH

VS 3
lying in a manger - a child in danger
escaped to Egypt - just in time
walked the earth as a man - and everyone knows
he's coming again - to heal all his foes

CH / ENDING

© Steve Lundgren 2020

Malachi 3:2
But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears?
For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap.

 

[Hmm]

Here's a musical collaboration I did with my other friend from the UK that gave me the Happy Christmas greeting. (not a Christmas song)

With A Twist (Co-written and performed with Steve 'Sketch' Lundgren)

Fantastic song! It's going to be going through my head all day I hope you realise, but I don't mind because it's energetic, happyand very rhythmic so it will keep me going through all what's often sometimes difficult social demands of the day. Did you co-write and did you play any of the instruments?

 

[Hmm]

However, this one is a Christmas song. Written and recorded by me.
Lyrics posted below. (note UR reference at the end)

Gift-Wrapped

Title: Gift-Wrapped
Track Time: 03:04
Tempo: 128 BPM

VS 1
Bethlehem Star - traveled afar
Magi following - knew what it was
no map, no compass - to know where they are
wise men drawn to - the advent for us

CHORUS
Salvation came gift-wrapped - in swaddling clothes
no shiny paper - no ribbons or bows
Savior of the world - with baby fingers and toes
Emmanuel - God with us - just as foretold

VS 2
shepherds watched - their flocks by night
glorious light - never seen such a sight
angels singing - glad tidings bringing
rejoice, rejoice - for the newborn king

CH

VS 3
lying in a manger - a child in danger
escaped to Egypt - just in time
walked the earth as a man - and everyone knows
he's coming again - to heal all his foes

CH / ENDING

© Steve Lundgren 2020

Malachi 3:2
But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears?
For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap.

Wow, that's already replaced the previous tune in my head! You have a great voice and musical gift. I liked these lines especially;

"Salvation came gift-wrapped - in swaddling clothes
no shiny paper - no ribbons or bows"

That's something to bear in mind. Just a baby and no other presents in the manager. No Koine Greek lexicons excitingly wrapped up for instance.

 

[Saint Steven]

Fantastic song! It's going to be going through my head all day I hope you realise, but I don't mind because it's energetic, happyand very rhythmic so it will keep me going through all what's often sometimes difficult social demands of the day. Did you co-write and did you play any of the instruments?

Thank you. I was pretty sure you would enjoy that. And I had just mentioned Chris as having given me that greeting from the UK. Yup, catchy tune.

It was a songwriting forum challenge. Chris and I were teamed up. He had a musical accompaniment in process. I wrote the lyrics to the TWIST theme required by the challenge. I also added the second guitar parts. (mostly slide guitar) Including the extended solo at the end of the song. (thanks Chris) The vocals are Chris. He did an incredible job, and was great to work with. Hopefully we will collaborate again. Seemed like a good match.

 

[Saint Steven]

Wow, that's already replaced the previous tune in my head! You have a great voice and musical gift. I liked these lines especially;

"Salvation came gift-wrapped - in swaddling clothes
no shiny paper - no ribbons or bows"

That's something to bear in mind. Just a baby and no other presents in the manager. No Koine Greek lexicons excitingly wrapped up for instance.

I hadn't intended to write a Christmas song until the "gift-wrapped" idea came to me. Jesus was wrapped in swaddling clothes. There seemed to be an interesting connection there. The rest flowed from that thought.

 

[Saint Steven]

I hadn't intended to write a Christmas song until the "gift-wrapped" idea came to me. Jesus was wrapped in swaddling clothes. There seemed to be an interesting connection there. The rest flowed from that thought.

I had originally written the last verse to end with "defeat all his foes", but changed it to "heal all his foes" when I went into the recording studio to track the vocals.

VS 3
lying in a manger - a child in danger
escaped to Egypt - just in time
walked the earth as a man - and everyone knows
he's coming again - to heal all his foes

 

[Hmm]

Thank you. I was pretty sure you would enjoy that. And I had just mentioned Chris as having given me that greeting from the UK. Yup, catchy tune.

It was a songwriting forum challenge. Chris and I were teamed up. He had a musical accompaniment in process. I wrote the lyrics to the TWIST theme required by the challenge. I also added the second guitar parts. (mostly slide guitar) Including the extended solo at the end of the song. (thanks Chris) The vocals are Chris. He did an incredible job, and was great to work with. Hopefully we will collaborate again. Seemed like a good match.

It definitely is, and it's a great guitar solo at the end. I love listening to music but I don't have any musical ability. My partner is occassionally teaching me how to play the piano and dance waltzes but tbh I'm a mathematician and the only rhythm I've got is loga-rhythms. Actually I must remember to tell her that joke! It will be a special Christmas treat for her.

 

[Hmm]

I had originally written the last verse to end with "defeat all his foes", but changed it to "heal all his foes" when I went into the recording studio to track the vocals.

Yes, I prefer "heal" to "defeat" although they can have the same meaning. As Abraham Lincoln said, "The best way to destroy an enemy is to make him a friend."

 

[Saint Steven]

It definitely is, and it's a great guitar solo at the end. I love listening to music but I don't have any musical ability.

When I was a boy I found an old guitar in the attic that belonged to my Dad. I never heard him play ever. But I hauled that old guitar out, and have been playing ever since. (just banging on it originally) It was at a time when guitar was becoming very popular on TV. Especially electric guitars. I wanted one. My Dad was always very supportive, as was my Mom, who was the more musical one.

Here's a curious thing. That old guitar from the attic had the fret numbers written on the fingerboard. (in white pencil) I wasn't sure why. As a young man I found a Hawaiian music song book that belonged to my Dad. (this was after he went to glory) The book instructed the user to mark the frets to play the songs that had all the corresponding fret numbers for the right notes. So, this meant that he was playing that guitar with a slide bar on his lap Hawaiian style.

Here's the kicker. I had already been introduced to slide guitar (delta style) with my interest in Blues music. And had become rather proficient with it. This was well before I discovered that he was playing lap style slide.

 

[Saint Steven]

Looks like we have the place to ourselves. Nice. Christmas peace. - lol

I liked what @public hermit wrote about this being the longest topic ever, and STILL unanswered.

This is like UR home base. - lol
And what a STRONG castle it is. (with God's help - to HIM be all glory - now and in the ages to come)