I ask that Christian universalists (CU) respond here. Would also invite non-universalists to respond if their contribution is in the spirit of the thread, which is to discuss the doctrinal (and thus Biblical) structure of the salvation of non-believing humans.
A recent discussion I had in another thread here with Hillsage got me thinking, what are the various belief systems of different Christian universalists who post here? More specifically, what is the CU's understanding of the proper doctrinal approach for the salvation of non-Christians from Scripture? For example, consider the competing organizations below:
1. True* Christians are saved the traditional way (by faith), bypassing hell after physical death and gaining heaven by their faith, while non-believers suffer slow torment [in another realm than 'heaven'] through ages to come until eventually accepting Christ. In this example those who gain salvation suffer only enough until they 'wear down' and eventually accept Christ of their own will. (This is my weak interpretation of the AIWN and AIWNIOS controversy which has never been a part of my own universalism)
2. True* Christians are saved the traditional way (by faith), while non-believers are purified in the lake of fire directly following physical death. In this example, the non-believer finds him/herself in fiery torment immediately following physical death and remains there until all enmity against God is removed, at which 'time' the unbeliever is set free to believe, repents and is restored to perfection. That long periods of time in purification are not part of this view might use the references to destruction "in one hour" in Rev 18. Also, that salvation is achieved by use of Godly fire defers to 1Cor 3:11-15 and others.
3. All humans are the same in relationship to God in that each, to the degree [but only to the degree] he/she conforms to prescriptive truth [Christ] in sanctification in time is saved. In this broad metaphoric view, "true Christian" is not a term applicable to individuals, it represents a condition of partial unanimity between Christ (Truth) and any human soul, regardless of religion of lack thereof. 1Cor 3:11-15 may again be applicable, merely interpreted more broadly. In this view one need not know or profess Christ per se to be saved. Salvation lies in the development of a personal relationship with Him in spirit in time, such that faith is developed in sanctification to protect according to the degree of faith attained to. One consequence of this view is that not all of any individual is necessarily wholly saved from some degree of purification in the lake of fire following physical death. One may find it necessary to be "finished" in part therein.
Personally, I have one foot planted in #2 but see value in and am tending toward #3. Curious to see where other CUs stand on this; there may be other views as well.
Any takers?
(* True here means only one's understanding of the term as used to differentiate between actual vs. superficial faith)
A recent discussion I had in another thread here with Hillsage got me thinking, what are the various belief systems of different Christian universalists who post here? More specifically, what is the CU's understanding of the proper doctrinal approach for the salvation of non-Christians from Scripture? For example, consider the competing organizations below:
1. True* Christians are saved the traditional way (by faith), bypassing hell after physical death and gaining heaven by their faith, while non-believers suffer slow torment [in another realm than 'heaven'] through ages to come until eventually accepting Christ. In this example those who gain salvation suffer only enough until they 'wear down' and eventually accept Christ of their own will. (This is my weak interpretation of the AIWN and AIWNIOS controversy which has never been a part of my own universalism)
2. True* Christians are saved the traditional way (by faith), while non-believers are purified in the lake of fire directly following physical death. In this example, the non-believer finds him/herself in fiery torment immediately following physical death and remains there until all enmity against God is removed, at which 'time' the unbeliever is set free to believe, repents and is restored to perfection. That long periods of time in purification are not part of this view might use the references to destruction "in one hour" in Rev 18. Also, that salvation is achieved by use of Godly fire defers to 1Cor 3:11-15 and others.
3. All humans are the same in relationship to God in that each, to the degree [but only to the degree] he/she conforms to prescriptive truth [Christ] in sanctification in time is saved. In this broad metaphoric view, "true Christian" is not a term applicable to individuals, it represents a condition of partial unanimity between Christ (Truth) and any human soul, regardless of religion of lack thereof. 1Cor 3:11-15 may again be applicable, merely interpreted more broadly. In this view one need not know or profess Christ per se to be saved. Salvation lies in the development of a personal relationship with Him in spirit in time, such that faith is developed in sanctification to protect according to the degree of faith attained to. One consequence of this view is that not all of any individual is necessarily wholly saved from some degree of purification in the lake of fire following physical death. One may find it necessary to be "finished" in part therein.
Personally, I have one foot planted in #2 but see value in and am tending toward #3. Curious to see where other CUs stand on this; there may be other views as well.
Any takers?
(* True here means only one's understanding of the term as used to differentiate between actual vs. superficial faith)