| NAME | Royce Kennedy | |
COMMENTS |
Hi Rodger:
Let me take the time to thank you for your snippets service to the Body at large. They have so many of my contemporaries such as Bro. Ray Prinzing who opened the door for me to minister in Florida and Dora Van Assen with whom I shared the ministry in West Palm Beach, Fl. Sister Irene Lindsay ministered for us for a week in Norfolk, VA, back in the early 1970s. snippets link http://www.evangelicaluniversalist.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=1940&sid=8239becde461c2fe90528cf9e0b44468 It is no secret that Jesus gave himself a ransom for all. Continue to share the word of universal reconciliation. The Lord bless you richly! Royce Kennedy | |
| DATE | Sunday, April 15th 2012 - 07:32:50 PM | |
| NAME | Carla | |
COMMENTS |
Hello Rodger.
I read your posts on "city-data forum" and felt like sending you a message. I guess because your experience with the horrible belief in ET is sooooo much like mine. I too had a breakdown that lasted several years over not being able to cope with the idea of ET. I had to be put on medication. When I think about how I lived and felt during those years it makes me cringe. I got so depressed and could barely function from day to day from constanly thinking of the concept of ET. I could go on and on about how horrible it was, but I believe you understand all too well. I really do not understand HOW Christians can believe this and carry on with their lives. I could not. Thank God He showed us this doctrine is false. Anyway, just wanted to let you know that someone else understands completely what you went through. I feel soooo sorry for others that are experiencing what we went through. I wish I could talk to them all and show them this evil doctrine is false. Carla | |
| DATE | Monday, November 1st 2010 - 10:33:42 AM | |
| NAME | JC and Lillian Bala | |
| jbatla29@aol.com | ||
| URL | http://BLESSINGS | |
COMMENTS |
Thanks for sharing the web-site with all of us. You mentioned Ray and Doris Prinzing, I have a lot of the..Whispers of Worship. Which has really helped me to grow spiritually.
In His Love and ours, jc and lillian | |
| DATE | Sunday, August 22nd 2010 - 01:44:16 PM | |
| NAME | Ken Dempsey | |
| khdempsey@msn.com | ||
COMMENTS |
Growing up in North Texas in a Southern Baptist Church caused me nightmares from the age of 9 until I was about 15 and from then on it caused me a lot of torment, trying to be good, but never being good enough to satisfy God. At least in my opinion. going to hell, or the possibility of it Wrecked My Childhood.
In 1982 I started listening to Bill Britton http://www.heart4god.ws/id160.htm followed by Gary Sigler http://sigler.org/ and Elwin Roach http://www.godfire.net/ and a few others like them. Praise God, I was delivered from the doctrine of an eternal hell and a lot of other garbage in the so called church, which I now know is the hiding place of satan and the devil. Thank you for your website and I look forward to hearing more from you. Blessings, Ken Dempsey/Missouri Valley, Iowa | |
| DATE | Thursday, August 19th 2010 - 12:03:41 PM | |
| NAME | Rachael Morris | |
| doolydean5@gmail.com | ||
COMMENTS |
saw your post on premier. at last i have found a friend who believes as i do. i can learn much from you. love your site and all the links u put on the post at preimer. i am only a universalist from this week. a book changed my life. it's called Gods plan for all.
http://www.godsplanforall.com/ free to read online. so i'm new to this belief but i know it's true. i'm alone in this. not sure what to tell my church. lots of people say in mad. i say i'm lucky. so nice to meet you. see you here on preimer site. rachael | |
| DATE | Friday, August 13th 2010 - 01:53:32 PM | |
| NAME | Cynthia | |
COMMENTS |
Thank you, Rodger, for sending me the links. I've spent a profitable few hours today perusing them, they're excellent!
I had a fear of hell my whole life from the age of 5 - because of my mother's death at that time in my life. Imagine my stunned amazement and joy to find out about universal salvation???!!!! I had been reading from Kenneth B. Visscher's website. http://overcomers.ca/ Once I could breathe again, I was filled with tremendous joy and the fear I'd known started to evaporate. I'm 61 and that is a long time to have had a fear of going to hell. I hated God for "killing" my mother (5 year olds think that way) but I knew she loved Jesus; I kept thinking "what would He do to someone like me who HATED Him for killing mom? She left at us (6 of us) at 28 years of age, 8 1/2 months pregnant; the baby died first and then she died. It's so wonderful NOT to have that fear anymore! Thanks for all these links; I will treasure them and use them greatly! Cynthia | |
| DATE | Sunday, June 20th 2010 - 05:12:35 PM | |
| NAME | Byron | |
COMMENTS |
Hey Rodger!
I quit the ET ministry and am doing great. Your story was my inspiration to abandon the ET system. I was in it - but never of it, but when it started affecting my kids (badly) I read your story and made the decision. Thank you for being used of God to show me I wanted no more to be part of a system that teaches such a horrendous lie as eternal torment. Byron | |
| DATE | Wednesday, June 9th 2010 - 07:20:42 AM | |
| NAME | Debra | |
COMMENTS |
Hello Rodger
I was very interested to read a post from yourself regarding eternal damnation on a Christian forum. The people I have been chatting with and eating with for the last few weeks all believe that if you do not accept Jesus and God in to your hearts you will be in eternal torment. I found this horrific, and have been unable to reconcile their loving God with someone who would condemn people to such torment. There was no real answer to my concerns; I was pretty much told that was the way it was. Surprisingly they did not seem overly concerned with this, but for me, I am afraid I could not, would not follow a God that did this. I attended their meeting the following week after they told me this, but the 'glow' I had felt a few weeks before has gone and I have been confused and disappointed. Finding your post was such a relief...I have not read all the links but will do so, and I just wanted to say thank you, for taking the time to write it. Hopefully I can now continue on my journey toward becoming a Christian. Regards Debra | |
| DATE | Tuesday, March 23rd 2010 - 09:33:19 AM | |
| NAME | ERIC | |
COMMENTS |
About 18-20 months ago I came to point in my life through several circumstances that I simply couldn't believe in a God who would torture people forever.
Through your website and others like it I realized it simply wasn't true. I have done a lot of reading and studying and I think God approves that I am thinking for myself now and not just taking in traditional Christian doctrine. | |
| DATE | Saturday, December 26th 2009 - 07:55:24 PM | |
| NAME | Alison Minnie | |
| ladyjane@mail2catlover.com | ||
COMMENTS |
I have to honestly say that if I'd come across the name of rodgertutt 2 years ago, I either would have dismissed him as delusional, or I would have been totally indifferent to him.
However, I went through EXACTLY the same nightmare that Rodger and Charles Slagle went through, which started at the beginning of last year, and which lasted almost 19 months. (copy and paste into your browser http://www.sigler.org/slagle/absolute.htm I can assure everybody that this nightmare totally eclipsed my normal problems under normal circumstances. The problems I had before seemed to pale into insignificance compared to this. The thing is this nightmare caught me totally by surprise and I couldn't control it. A couple of weeks ago I faced what was troubling me head on, and although I'm proud of the way I went about it, a couple of days ago I had a peace in my heart that there is no such thing as an eternal hell, although I'm slightly more inclined towards the conditionalist position than the UR position at present. I know that there has to be a reason WHY I went through the same thing as Rodger. Thankfully not many people will go through what myself and Rodger went through in order to see the truth about God. Although I might not presently see the ultimate reconcilation of all just yet, I'm more and more convinced that it's true and it will just be a matter of time before I can clearly see it. I can only thank God that my nightmare didn't last as long as Rodger's did. Rodger, I'm so glad to have come across someone like you. Only we truly know how unspeakable such a nightmare can be. EDITOR'S NOTE by Rodger Tutt: Both Alison, and other guest book readers migh like to know why some of us see universal salvation in the Bible rather than annihilation. Copy and paste into your browser http://www.tentmaker.org/books/EternalDeath.html or http://hell-fact-or-fable.com/destruction3.html or http://www.lighthouselibrary.com/read.php?sel=2586&searchfor=||KNOCH, ADOLPH E||&type=&what=author | |
| DATE | Friday, August 7th 2009 - 03:41:25 PM | |
| NAME | VANESSA HUSSAIN | |
COMMENTS |
ORGANIZED RELIGION IS SHACKLED WITH LIES AND TRADITIONAL HALF TRUTHS THAT THEY HAVE PEDELLED, LIKE "ETERNAL HELL."
BUT GOD WILL BUILD HIS CHURCH AND HIS CHILDREN WILL GROW UP, FROM MILK AND WATER BABIES TO MATURE SONS AND THEY WILL EAT MEAT AS THEIR EYES OPEN AND THEY HEAR THEIR FATHER'S VOICE. IF ONLY WE CAN KNOW THE LOVE OF GOD FOR OURSELVES WE WOULD KNOW THAT HELL IS NOT ENDLESS. SINCERELY VANESSA HUSSAIN | |
| DATE | Wednesday, August 5th 2009 - 03:26:55 AM | |
| NAME | Sherman Eastland | |
COMMENTS |
More than thirty years ago I realized that the doctrine of endless hell was and is the cruel tool of some religious leaders to manipulate people and control them by fear.
We speak of the Dark Ages as a period of time in the past, but unfortunately we are still there and our so called "Christian Brethern" are the very one who delight in rattling the chains of evil and darkness all in the name of Jesus! Believers in the literally translated Word of God, we need to really read it without the bias crammed into our minds by those who claim to preach the Word but don't really believe ----- THE TRUE GOSPEL!! Editor's note by Rodger Tutt: Translations That Do Not Teach Eternal Torment http://www.tentmaker.org/books/GatesOfHell.html (copy and paste into your browser) | |
| DATE | Wednesday, July 8th 2009 - 08:40:20 AM | |
| NAME | Shawn Jones | |
| home_e_jones@yahoo.com | ||
COMMENTS |
I thank God daily for servants of God who will make a stand for the TRUTH! I believe in this glorious GOOD NEWS and I am thankful to share it as well! May you be blessed in Yeshua and become HIS GLORY! | |
| DATE | Wednesday, July 8th 2009 - 08:26:48 AM | |
| NAME | Diane | |
| diane.garrett@comcast.net | ||
| URL | http://www.ourchuch.com/l/member/LightOfLife/ | |
COMMENTS |
Hallelujah, what a wonderful thing the Most High is doing in your life and through this website, online. This is sheer ministry. May Yahweh continue to utilize all of your gifts and talents for His glory. What an honor to have suffered, been restored, renewed and come forth as pure gold. What beauty has come out of the Lord allowing you to die, He has surely taken the ashes of your pain and exchanged them for life and beauty. God has already blessed.
Much agape! | |
| DATE | Tuesday, July 7th 2009 - 06:12:49 PM | |
| NAME | Sarah | |
| redtygrr@sbcglobal.net | ||
COMMENTS |
This is an awesome site. Keep up the good work of spreading the TRUE Good News! | |
| DATE | Tuesday, June 16th 2009 - 11:45:15 AM | |
| NAME | H.H. Stockebrand | |
COMMENTS |
Rodger,
I have been reading your web site this morning, and just had to take a moment to say thank you for all you have made available there. I live in the United States in the state of Kansas. God brought me to the realization of the salvation of all about 4 years ago. I came to this understanding by stumbling upon Charles Slagle's article, "The Gobbledygook Gospel." http://www.sigler.org:80/slagle/The%20Gobbledygook%20Gospel.htm (copy and paste into browser address bar) I would have to say that it started me on a wonderful study which continues on to this day. Thanks for all of your efforts. H.H. Stockebrand | |
| DATE | Monday, June 1st 2009 - 01:33:40 PM | |
| NAME | Bob Todd | |
| k7vhq@earthlink.net | ||
| URL | http://home.earthlink.net/~k7vhq/cpcoffice.html | |
COMMENTS |
What a story! Fortunately I was raised in a Christian home and my parents went to Joseph E. Kirk's Sunday services in Los Angeles.
I never did buy the eternal hell thing. Many blessings to you Rodger. Editor's note from Rodger Tutt: I have a precious personal letter sent by surface mail from Joseph Kirk from many years ago when I was struggling to escape from eternal torment theology. | |
| DATE | Sunday, May 3rd 2009 - 10:35:42 AM | |
| NAME | Jack | |
COMMENTS |
Rodger, thanks for your heart touching testimony.
I believe you could find no better hero and mentor than our dear Ray Prinzing. I began reading Ray's monthly letters 25 years ago and had an opportunity to visit with him a few times by phone. There was no more gentle, sensitive and patient a soul than Ray. His writings are timeless and even today one cannot find a writer that carries a greater anointing. Bless you my good brother, Jack Editor's note by Rodger Tutt: You can type Ray Prinzing into Google to read all of his writings. | |
| DATE | Tuesday, April 7th 2009 - 05:49:16 AM | |
| NAME | Tom | |
COMMENTS |
Dear Rodger, I just want to thank you for your boldness and for sharing your testimony as it has deeply blessed me. It is such a realease to be freed from the eternal tormant doctrine into the glorious liberty of Christ FOR ALL.
It has been such a blessing to me to know that Father is not going to lose anybody, but has His plan and purpose for all. I have been delivered from many internal conflicts about all my loved ones and can now rest in HIS love and determination to bring all into His love and glory. Thank you again Tom | |
| DATE | Tuesday, April 7th 2009 - 05:45:32 AM | |
| NAME | Arthur & Rosalind Eedle | |
| anr@eedle.orangehome.co.uk | ||
| URL | http://www.oxleigh.freeserve.co.uk | |
COMMENTS |
Thank you for sending the links, many of which I am already familiar with.
The Lord conveyed His total victory of Universal Reconciliation to me in April 1969, whilst I was on a teaching assignment in Kenya. My wife, Rosalind, and I rejoiced in this immediately, even though we had not given the matter any previous thought, and certainly had never studied it from the Scriptures. Since that time we have studied the whole subject in great detail, and I have used my own knowledge of Greek to assist me in the task. Keep up the good work! Anyone who seriously believes that God would torment anyone in hell for all eternity must be a sadist of the worst possible calibre. It would be better for such to experience what you went through until they come to a better mind. What an amazing sense of relief it is to come out from the fearful shadows of Calvinism and Eternal Torment, into His glorious light of love and forgiveness. May God be praised for His true grace and love! With our love in the Lord Jesus, Arthur & Rosalind Eedle | |
| DATE | Saturday, February 28th 2009 - 11:11:53 AM | |
| NAME | David Irving | |
COMMENTS |
I, too, have a similar testimony about what the false doctrine of God's eternal wrath and hell did to my mind and emotions.
I notice that the listings of your links show that many Christians are returning to the original doctrine of a final universal reconciliation. The more that I have studied what has happened to the true original orthodox Gospel, the more I am amazed and saddened that there has been and is such confusion with all the sects of Christianity throughout history. In a sense, we are still in the "dark ages". Let's pray that God will restore the real original truths found in His literal written Word and in His beginning apostolic church. http://www.tentmaker.org/books/Prevailing.html | |
| DATE | Thursday, February 19th 2009 - 06:04:24 AM | |
| NAME | Graham Braithwaite | |
| graham.braithwaite@gmail.com | ||
COMMENTS |
I have waited 35 long years to find someone who could truly help me with these self-same fears as you struggled so bravely with for so very, very long.
Rodger, I will be emailing you very soon, but suffice to say for now that you are a true hero in my eyes, and I love you for all you've done to rescue others just like me... Bless you, Rodger, and keep up the excellent work! You now have a fresh recruit to march beside you.... | |
| DATE | Wednesday, February 18th 2009 - 01:03:33 PM | |
| NAME | Jane | |
| jane.talbot63@yahoo.co.uk | ||
COMMENTS |
My style of Christianity is about a gentle God of love, peace and forgiveness. If you remove the fundamental preaching of the Devil and hellfire, the Christian faith is wonderful - this is liberal Christianity. Fear of hell and fear of Satan completely ruins the faith. I've seen both liberal and fundamental Christianity.
EDITOR'S NOTE BY RODGER TUTT According to the Bible any "hell" there will be is called "kolasis aionian" and is temporary and corrective in nature. http://www.tentmaker.org/books/asw/Chapter11.html http://www.tentmaker.org/books/Aion_lim.html http://www.savior-of-all.com/aionian.html and even Satan will eventually be saved http://www.tentmaker.org/articles/savior-of-the-world/reconciliation-heavens.htm | |
| DATE | Wednesday, February 4th 2009 - 02:26:51 PM | |
| NAME | Pam | |
COMMENTS |
Actually I asked a Jewish Rabbis about hell and it isn't even in the torah. Gehinon is the place where souls go to atone for sins in the after life. If a soul is unrepented it is burned up never to exist again. But its not for Eternity. I like to believe what they say is true.
EDITOR'S NOTE BY RODGER TUTT Here are reasons why some of us believe the Bible teaches universal salvation rather than annihilation. ETERNAL DEATH ANNIHILATION? http://www.tentmaker.org/books/EternalDeath.html THE DOCTRINE OF ANNIHILATION http://hell-fact-or-fable.com/destruction3.html | |
| DATE | Friday, January 9th 2009 - 08:42:49 PM | |
| NAME | Paul | |
COMMENTS |
I am pleased to learn that you also believe in the intimate sovereign control of God!
Just during these last few weeks I have discovered, through the Holy Spirit, that the two greatest evils that Lord God of the Bible did – ordaining the fall of man, and the killing of His Sweet Son Jesus resulted in the greatest good that cannot even be imagined. Through the fall of the first Adam, we have the great privilege of calling Jesus – the second Adam, our own flesh and blood, our brother - who suffered for us, and tasted death for us. And through God the father putting to death his own Son, we become the members of the BODY of Christ, and all the universes will become part of God (God all in all – 1 Cor. 15:28). I have also discovered that there is no free will. And I have also discovered God is fully and completely sovereign. Thank you brother for your ministry. I feel so rested from all my labor… Keep up the good work. May our Lord Jesus Christ prosper you and bless you abundantly and give you strength and endurance. May you and your wife and kids and friends enjoy good health and great freedom. May you find rich satisfaction in our Lord Jesus Christ in the marrow of your bones. All for Christ’s sake. Amen Paul Editor's note by Rodger Tutt Thank you for your message Paul! Here is a great writing that readers may enjoy on the same theme. HIS ACHIEVEMENT ARE WE by James Coram (online reading) http://concordant.org/expohtml/HisAchievement/index.html The introduction at the beginning of each chapter is not the chapter itself. You must click on the highlighted title of each chapter to bring up the entire chapter to read it. | |
| DATE | Friday, December 19th 2008 - 11:42:45 AM | |
| NAME | Faithful Witness | |
COMMENTS |
It is sad that most Christians do not know the deep rooted mysteries of the Word even though it is right in their faces, and they claim to be lead by the Spirit. I recently realized that we are living a carefully laid out plan laid by God. Please by all means keep up the good work.
The lake of fire is actually the lake of purification for the world. The fire is God and brimstone is symbolic of healing. Keep on being courageous and strong in the Word. You have a very, very deep spiritual understanding of the Word. Respectfully, FW | |
| DATE | Thursday, November 27th 2008 - 06:05:49 PM | |
| NAME | Pippa | |
COMMENTS |
Thanks Rodger for those links. I've also suffered from the fear of hell, to the extent of being unable to function in my everyday life. I've left Christianity now, but still tend to believe in it somehow, and still look for hope that there is no eternal torment. So I will appreciate reading some of those links. I have looked up some already, and it made sense. I can relate to the relief you feel in no longer believing in that horrific place. All the best.
Pippa | |
| DATE | Monday, November 24th 2008 - 08:40:43 AM | |
| NAME | Ken | |
| kenjackier@aol.com | ||
COMMENTS |
Hi Rodger, I just want to say I think you are doing a wonderful work in the service of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I do not believe in a literal place called Hell. It just does not exist. However there is a "spiritual lake of fire" as described in Revelation where all of creation, with the exception of "the elect, upon whom the second death has no effect.(Rev. 20:6)" will be placed until their works, good and bad, are judged. Then and only then are they given entrance into the body of Christ and enter into the Kingdom of God.
The true Gospel is this verse found in1st Cor.3:15 "If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself SHALL BE SAVED so as by fire." Keep up the good work. There are more than you know who believe the same as you. In His Love your brother in Christ. Ken | |
| DATE | Thursday, October 9th 2008 - 10:13:08 AM | |
| NAME | John | |
COMMENTS |
Hi Rodger,
Just a thank you note for all your writings, They are an amazing blessing to me! For the first time in my life (58) I'm having joy in my salvation. God is so good, "Thank you Jesus". Blessings to you my brother. John | |
| DATE | Wednesday, September 17th 2008 - 01:06:04 PM | |
| NAME | Tony | |
COMMENTS |
In my heart I know Jesus is the Savior of all. I also know that the Lord does not torture. The teaching of a literal burning hell kept me awake many, many nights as a child, even when I was six! Part of that fear has not left me and I would like the Lord to replace it with His truth.
EDITOR'S NOTE by Rodger Tutt Tony, I think the contents of this link will be a great help to you just like it was to me and has been to many others. http://www.tentmaker.org/books/Absolute-Assurance-in-Jesus-Christ.html | |
| DATE | Monday, September 15th 2008 - 06:52:46 AM | |
| NAME | EIS | |
COMMENTS |
I found your site through your post at the Two Peas forum. They did not take you seriously there, but I hope you reached some people even if they won't publicly admit it. The notion that God (who is supposed to be LOVE) is up-there ready to inflict continuous pain on those he LOVES is one of the original lies about God that Satan had the human race believe. I just finished reading a book "Could it be this Simple?" written by Dr. Tim Jennings, and in it he very eloquently writes about this same concept. Reading this book has given me such a clear understanding of the nature of God and provided me with such comfort that our God would never let anyone suffer endlessly. | |
| DATE | Tuesday, September 9th 2008 - 06:55:40 AM | |
| NAME | Mystic | |
COMMENTS |
Hello Rodger,
I just saw your universalism thread at vpraise. I went for a few years struggling with an "eternal torment" God as well. I began to study universalism and it all made sense. I've studied all of this myself and came to the same conclusions as you. I'm glad you brought this up! I admit I'm a bit unorthodox in my beliefs, but I'm glad you have bucked the trend too. Anyway, just wanted to introduce myself and let you know that you are not alone in your beliefs! Peace... Mystic "What is impossible from a human perspective is possible with God." Luke 18:27 NLT | |
| DATE | Wednesday, September 3rd 2008 - 12:47:38 AM | |
| NAME | Kevin Beck | |
| URL | http://www.presence.tv/cgi-bin/discus/discus.cgi | |
COMMENTS |
I appreciate the contributions you are making in our world. Helping people see and appreciate the comprehensive grace of God through your life is creating a new awareness of God's presence. Together we are bringing forth a new appreciation for God, Jesus, Spirit, the Biblical story, and Humanity.
Love and blessings Kevin Beck | |
| DATE | Friday, August 15th 2008 - 03:39:29 AM | |
| NAME | JM | |
| URL | http://www.inthepursuitofgod.com/forum/ | |
COMMENTS |
Rodger, had you not originally come on the IN THE PURSUIT OF GOD forum about a year ago.. I may not have met Gary Amirault who owns tentmaker and talked on the phone.
http://www.tentmaker.org/ Gary is a good guy and I appreciate that he is out there bridging the gap between Fundamentalist Christianity and those who are Awakening to see God in a whole new Light. It is not about creating a new framework to entrap people in, but pulling back the layers on what has been told to people is the absolute truth for everyone and letting people decide for themselves and not using tools of fear, doubt and the words of others in the past to decide for them. So keep up what your doing Rodger... Universalism I believe is a starting place for people to let go of fears. Some don't even think they are in fear until they are challenged to stop doing what they have always done... then what is seen as love and devotion is revealed for what it is. At the end of the day. We are all one, and once we realize that, a new reason for doing things will take shape and what was once done as a sense of duty will be done with a sense of Joy, Appreciation and Love. Blessings JM | |
| DATE | Saturday, August 9th 2008 - 01:29:27 PM | |
| NAME | Debra | |
COMMENTS |
About 4 years ago I went through the most horrible bout of depression I ever went through. I took no drugs nor did I seek any medical help at the time. I was too embarrased and ashamed about my depression. This went on for weeks and I remember a Lake of Fire series I saw on Ray Smiths site and I stated to read.
http://www.bible-truths.com/ About 4 months later, after studying this series, the Bible, and other web sites explaining hell, I woke up and knew I would never believe in eternal hell again. Rodger, I finally met my heavenly Father and he's no bully!!! PTL I really appreciate you Rodger and God bless you and I'll see you someday in a better place than this. | |
| DATE | Wednesday, July 23rd 2008 - 03:23:21 PM | |
| NAME | Tovah | |
COMMENTS |
I had a nervous breakdown too. Actually, two of them - the first one at 21 (not hospitalized) and the second one at 31 (hosptialized) both due to a constant dread that my loved ones were going to spend eternity in hell because they were not "born again."
I am amazed to have found your site Rodger, and amazed to read your story which is exactly like mine. Peace, Tovah | |
| DATE | Tuesday, July 22nd 2008 - 04:33:51 PM | |
| NAME | Joshua | |
COMMENTS |
I appreciate your post in the General Discussion forum. I firmly believe and know that the Scriptures teach that all mankind will eventually be saved because of Christ's work.
Hell, as it is taught, is fiction right out of paganism, where people have inherited many errors. http://www.tentmaker.org/books/OriginandHistory.html | |
| DATE | Sunday, July 20th 2008 - 04:45:17 PM | |
| NAME | Caspian | |
COMMENTS |
Rodger, I often think how fortunate we are to be living in a time when we have access to the necessary information to research this important topic for ourselves; at one time it may have been merely wishful thinking, now we can be completely assured that God will save all.
I often think that if CS Lewis was around today he would no doubt believe in the salvation of all. It was always puzzling to me that he didn't arrive at this conclusion despite the fact that the one Christian author he seemed to respect the most, George MacDonald, was an outspoken Universalist. CS Lewis probably thought it a possibility but couldn't connect the scriptures with the idea. I had that problem too and for me it would have remained just wishful thinking, if I hadn't researched it for myself. Again, today we (that is, the man on the street) have access to information others didn't have. Your post is most encouraging and I can relate to the exceeding joy and relief of discovering God's character in this light. I think your post is going to help many who have the same problem you had. | |
| DATE | Tuesday, July 15th 2008 - 04:47:26 PM | |
| NAME | Mickiel | |
COMMENTS |
Rodger, at age 69, wisdom is coming out of you and your experience. I am so pleased that God has shared His true side with you, and its very refreshing. Our God Salvation, is just that to all of us.
I too have experienced this valid view of God. It's a truth that you want to share, and it gets stepped on so much by humanity. Pushed away and unbelieved, it just contains far too much grace for our minds to handle. So we reject it. It is truly the real message that was rejected. It is truly the original message of the first churchs. http://www.tentmaker.org/books/Prevailing.shtml | |
| DATE | Tuesday, July 15th 2008 - 04:40:03 PM | |
| NAME | Ken Fox | |
| ken11fox@yahoo.ca | ||
COMMENTS |
Great Testimony! I am a non-believer who finds it difficult to believe that anyone, even the most ardent Christians, actually think that so many of their fellows are going to Hell. Such a belief should surely lead to psychotic behaviour, or mental illness.
& your story confirms this! An open, honest, non-fear-based belief! It's unlikely I will become Christian, but I wouldn't mind seeing some of your literature & showing it to Christian friends & family. Please send to ken11fox@yahoo.ca Thanks! Ken | |
| DATE | Monday, July 7th 2008 - 09:19:39 PM | |
| NAME | WIND | |
| URL | http://jubileebiblediscussion.com/index.php | |
COMMENTS |
Thank you Rodger for all you have done, do and will do.
You are preaching to the choir here at Jubilee Bible discussion forum, and we will sing along in Love! Sorry for what you have gone thru but you are now burnished steel to carry forth the message of Love. Wind | |
| DATE | Saturday, July 5th 2008 - 06:23:06 AM | |
| NAME | Shaktivirya | |
COMMENTS |
The common belief that non-believers are condemned to an eternity in hell has caused more damage to the true spirit of the human race than any other that I know of. Countless millions of souls are confused because of this most depressing belief system.
Real Christianity is personally embracing Christ with infinite love. Real Christianity is doing unto others as you would have others do unto you. It is Loving God with all one's heart and strength. Real Christianity is loving one another regardless as to what heritage, culture, nation or religion one has originated from. Jesus, who I love dearly, NEVER intended to start another religion or even a church for that matter. | |
| DATE | Sunday, May 18th 2008 - 05:28:48 AM | |
| NAME | Norm Cochran | |
COMMENTS |
The Bible never interested me because nothing in it was literal to me until two years ago when the verses on Universal Reconciliation jumped up at me in a very literal way along with the truth about our so-called freewill.
It's the greatest thing that's ever happened to me Rodger. And now God's true words are all I'm interested in. You would think that the good news gospel would wear off by now, but not with me, it's better than any drug I've ever tried. That eternal hell doctrine needs to be shoved back down Satan's throat. You can lead a blind man to the word, but you cannot make him think. Only God can do that. I'm very familiar with Gary Amirault and Tentmaker, a lot of truth on that site. http://www.tentmaker.org/ Norm Cochran Long Beach Ca. | |
| DATE | Sunday, April 13th 2008 - 09:58:09 AM | |
| NAME | Orly | |
COMMENTS |
Hello, Rodger. I have read your messages on the forum. Your messages are extremely precious and give a valuable account of the unconditional love of God in Jesus Christ.
You are an oasis in the desert, a blessing in Jesus Christ to Mankind. Keep doing your job of preaching the unconditional love of God. Your testimony is helping many people around the world thanks to the Internet. May God in Jesus Christ keep blessing you. Thanks. Orly | |
| DATE | Wednesday, January 16th 2008 - 07:06:11 PM | |
| NAME | Peter | |
COMMENTS |
Hi Rodger.
I was very bothered by hell for about 10 years. It was hard for me to smile at people as God seemed so unmerciful. I noticed in the Bible however that Jesus says after He rose that whomsoever you forgive they are forgiven. Logically if man can give forgiveness to others God has already done it. I think that God loves all of us and is into rehabilitation much more than punishment. The religions that don't love people have no problem with a God that sets most of the earth's population on fire forever. God is love however and I believe that this type of punishment is not His way. The truth is within us all. As the Quakers say, the "light within" or the "Christ within". From this we can properly understand how God loves us. Listening to other people usually just messes things up. | |
| DATE | Thursday, January 3rd 2008 - 03:11:41 PM | |
| NAME | Anonymous | |
COMMENTS |
A little test about the word "ALL" that's found in Scripture.
Hi neighbor, If Truth is changed to not be all inclusive, when the context renders that it should be, it then becomes error. It is my wish for you, to reconsider the following Scriptures, without using any preconceived thoughts or forced interpretation upon them. This may be more difficult to do than first realized, because we all resort to an immediate interpretation of something based on our past understandings of the verse. The darkest doctrine ever devised by men was that of an "eternal suffering" for the billions of souls that die lost without Christ. Like wolves among the sheep, carnally-minded men within the church system found it very effective to use the fear of an unending hell to control the masses that enter their religion. Unfortunately this doctrine has remained at large in Christianity as a whole. The Lord Jesus said, "when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men to myself." - John 12:32 LOOK AT THE VERSES WITH THE WORD ALL Savior of all, especially believers (1 Tim 4:9-11) Copy and paste the following two line url into the address bar. http://www.tentmaker.org/Dew/Dew7/D7-EspeciallyThoseThatBelieve.html God wills that all mankind be saved (1 Tim 2:4) Operating all in accord with counsel of His will (Eph 1:11) In Adam all dying; in Christ all vivified (1 Cor 15:21-23) One offense for all mankind for condemnation... (Rom 5:18-19) Lamb of God taking away sin of the world (John 1:29) Correspondent ransom for all (1 Tim 2:6) Every knee bowing (Phil 2:9; Is 45:23) And we know that anyone who acclaims that Jesus Christ is Lord, especially when it is to God's glory without any hypocrisy is saved for 1Corinthians 12:3 says so. Locks all in stubbornness; to be merciful to all (Rom 11:30-32) All created ... to reconcile all (Col 1:16-20) He should be tasting death for the sake of everyone (Heb 2:9) That the world might be saved thru Him (John 3:17) God was in Christ conciliating the world to Himself (2 Cor 5:18) For our sins, not ours only but the whole world (1 John 2:2) Making known secret of His will – head up all in Christ (Eph 1:10) | |
| DATE | Wednesday, November 21st 2007 - 06:18:00 AM | |
| NAME | Ken | |
COMMENTS |
Rodger, I have enjoyed the materials on both yours and Gary's Amirault's TENTMAKER website at
http://www.tentmaker.org I have been seriously struggling with my own salvation & that of others and am trying to recover from my second nervous breakdown in the last few years (mostly due to this issue). I want to believe it is true that He will save all and my heart knows no other peace than when I believe it. In Love & Christ, Ken Editor's note by Rodger Tutt: I am going to guide the guest book readers to the testimony of a man whose experience was almost identical to mine. Even the thought processes that took him into, through, and out of his breakdown are the same as mine. Only he is much more eloquent in telling his story than I am in telling mine. His name is Charles Slagle. http://www.tentmaker.org/books/Absolute-Assurance-in-Jesus-Christ.html People who have suffered like Ken and me find this testimony of Charles to be very helpful. | |
| DATE | Tuesday, November 6th 2007 - 04:41:09 PM | |
| NAME | Lily | |
COMMENTS |
Glad to meet you, fellow traveller!
I hope this note finds you well and hopeful, very far past the despair of your earlier nervous trials. One of the most valuable aids to my own recovery from crippling depression is Universalist thought and God saving all His creatures. I'm going to read on the Tentmaker site you listed at http://www.tentmaker.org Just last night I read the article you listed called HIS ACHIEVEMENT ARE WE by James Coram on the Concordant Publishing Concern site. http://concordant.org/expohtml/HisAchievement/index.html I felt new life begin to flow after I read that! God love ya, brother, Lily | |
| DATE | Saturday, September 8th 2007 - 03:10:13 PM | |
| NAME | Byron | |
COMMENTS |
Rodger, I read your testimony twice. I had the same torment as you as a teen because I'd heard about all those terrible after life things. The panic and fear was so bad I thought I would physically die. But, like you, God used the brokeness to open my heart. I saw a panoramic view of God's plan of the ages, the resurrection from this present darkness and death and saw the glory of God cover the entire earth like a rainbow.
This was BEFORE I started studying scripture so was I ever surprised to see "as a bow appears in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the glory of God" I told my kids the truth when they were young so they wouldn't have that torment! But my stand for truth will surely be at a high cost. It's a big leap of faith because I will have to leave my job. But whatever the cost it will be worth it to have peace and freedom. Thank you for your work Rodger. | |
| DATE | Thursday, June 14th 2007 - 03:02:59 PM | |
| NAME | Barb | |
| Barbaraellen45@hotmail.com | ||
COMMENTS |
Dear Rodger - Your story is similar to mine. I also had breakdowns and was hospitalized because of the spiritual abuse I suffered at the hands of the cult in which I was raised. But - Praise God! All I went through was part of the bigger plan - and now, slowly I am beginning to see the light! I no longer believe in that eternal hell which tormented my mind for so long...It seemed like eternity while I was there - but now I'm free!
Much Love - Barb | |
| DATE | Sunday, June 10th 2007 - 11:08:13 AM | |
| NAME | Stephen Rodgers | |
| steenrodgers@yahoo.com.au | ||
| URL | http://p075.ezboard.com/fgodsavesallfrm25 | |
COMMENTS |
What Rodger is saying is self evident to anyone who knows God as Love. The fear of God is ONLY the beginning of Wisdom not the end, the Last Adam brings to light not the God of Law but of GRACE.
There is no such place as eternal hell, only "God sitting before a Refiner's fire" drossing all the rubbish of our Beast/ly nature in His Refiner's pit of fire, removing the "wood hay and stubble" so the Gold of His Only Begotten Son can shine forth in our life...the One Life, "Who alone has immortality." Belief in heaven and hell as separate places is still eating from the Tree of knowledge of duality.You are still in a state of death. The first step of spirituality is realise God's "Love can never fail", and if "He so loved the World"..He must truly be "Saviour of all men" and would "command and teach" the same. "Judge not lest ye be judged" .....to live in a state of judging others, is what sin ultimately IS.....separation! To see sin in another, is only your own sin and guilt projected onto another, as you have never truly judged yourself.....the Only Judgement! All this is commonsense, which is also spirituality. Sin belongs to a world that is temporal and passing and therefore not ultimate reality. If sin were truly ultimate reality it could never be forgiven or erased. We are school children under our school Master Law which brings us to Christ as apostle Paul said, even Christ had to "learn obedience through suffering," and do not these sufferings work out an eternal weight of Glory. | |
| DATE | Sunday, May 13th 2007 - 04:09:16 AM | |
| NAME | John Swanson - California | |
| amicusdei@yahoo.com | ||
COMMENTS |
Hi Rodger. I read your moving testimony. The idea of eternal torment bothered me terribly, too, for a long time. Worse are those people who look forward to sitting in the grandstands in heaven for eternity watching those in hell burn.
The book most helpful to me was Thomas Talbott's 'The Inescapable Love of God,' with which I'm sure you're familiar. I have yet to read Jim Coram's online book HIS ACHIEVEMENT ARE WE, http://concordant.org/expohtml/HisAchievement/index.html but I will. I'm glad I ran across your name, Rodger. All the best! - John Swanson | |
| DATE | Friday, May 4th 2007 - 04:14:17 PM | |
| NAME | Allan Marisela | |
COMMENTS |
Your testimony is indeed a beautiful testimony to God's love.
In my own life the realization that God suffers every pain and sorrow that we do was plenty to convince me that Jesus Christ is Lord. Praise the Lord that He gave me the common sense to know Him! May the Lord be with you alway's and forever! Allan Marisela "In Jesus' pure and perfect love!" | |
| DATE | Wednesday, May 2nd 2007 - 06:56:16 AM | |
| NAME | Shirley Sloan | |
COMMENTS |
Hi Rodger,
Thanks for your testimony. We are blessed to have been given ears to hear this message. I've found that it is a message that we can sing about, but for the most part we are not free in Christian churches to actually embrace it...so I say...goodbye to the institution, and hello to the truth about our wonderful Father. His mercy endures forever! | |
| DATE | Monday, April 23rd 2007 - 12:03:34 AM | |
| NAME | Bruce Aspgren -Texas | |
COMMENTS |
I would like to take a moment of your time to thank you for the wisdom that you share on your forum. I am new to this form of sharing this good news.
While reading on the internet I came across your writings and I was touched by the wisdom that is spoken out of them. MAY GOD BLESS US ALL Bruce | |
| DATE | Tuesday, April 10th 2007 - 07:37:58 PM | |
| NAME | Caroline Ray | |
| toolpusher18@pldi.net | ||
COMMENTS |
I enjoyed your testimony.
The good news is, "God is love." Keep up the good work. There are many of us who need you. Thank you Caroline | |
| DATE | Thursday, April 5th 2007 - 10:00:02 AM | |
| NAME | Angela | |
COMMENTS |
I see a loving God in the Bible, not a god who punishes eternally in "hell."
I know many Christians believe that if we do not agree with what they teach then we will go to eternal hell but that is not what I believe at all. Thanks for posting WHAT I WISH I HAD KNOWN DURING MY YOUTH and also for sharing your website sites with us on my forum. | |
| DATE | Saturday, March 31st 2007 - 06:15:47 AM | |
| NAME | Bob | |
COMMENTS |
Thank you Rodger...I am really enjoying the information that you sent to me. I'm sure you've heard it before...I feel closer to God than ever before.
The world is blessed with folks like you! Sincerely, Bob | |
| DATE | Friday, March 30th 2007 - 03:23:09 PM | |
| NAME | Rainshadow | |
| Tawnyseptember2@aol.com | ||
COMMENTS |
My story is very like yours, along with the journey into searching out what God REALLY had to say on the subject. I have never before. How wonderful that you are getting this message out to people. The idea of an angry God capable of mass eternal torture was the subject of childhood nightmares and a long adult search before I could truly believe that God was good, and not just big. Praise Him, that He IS good! | |
| DATE | Thursday, March 15th 2007 - 12:14:47 AM | |
| NAME | Lucy | |
| URL | http://pub23.bravenet.com/forum/1966109846/ | |
COMMENTS |
I thank you for your great testimony on my forum, and I am truly sorry it took so long to get back to you.
I have no direct link to my forum as I had to take it off my website when porn was being constantly advertised there. I am sorry for all your heartache but I truly believe we go through things to lift us up to a higher spiritual plain granting us wisdom and clarity to see life in the true light it was intended to be... Brightest blessings and God Bless you and yours! Lucy | |
| DATE | Friday, March 9th 2007 - 08:47:48 AM | |
| NAME | Debra | |
COMMENTS |
Hi Rodger,
I am reading HIS ACHIEVEMENT ARE WE by James Coram that you recommended http://concordant.org/expohtml/HisAchievement/index.html and I am more convinced than ever that God loves all of His creation and we all will be with Him after the next age. I, too suffered much from the eternal torment teachings of men. I suffered severe depresssion and anxiety attacks. If God hadn't had his hand on and in my life I would have killed myself a long time ago. But, praise to His name, He led me to a website that explained the lake of fire, hell, judgment, justice, wrath and all the other words that institutional churches use to cram their hate filled God down our throats. Now, I hear these men and they sound so immature and childish. They contradict themselves whenever they open their mouths. It is truly sad that the only way they can make a living is by threatening people with their twisted and demented idea of a "loving" God. Do they ever truly listen to what they say? Or do they care? Most of them I have talked to don't seem to care at all about their doctrines on eternal torment. Anyway, I can just be grateful that God got me out of that trash before I did myself in. God be with you, Debra | |
| DATE | Wednesday, March 7th 2007 - 11:37:36 AM | |
| NAME | Heather | |
| heavinny@yahoo.com | ||
COMMENTS |
"Judgment unto victory" - I discern that is correct! I think "hell" is on earth in the sense that we learn from our mistakes and possibly pay for them in fair restitution. Still, people suffer here for no reason sometimes. How about this poem I saw on the web somewhere:
Anomaly Homily (c) T.L. Mayle Woe am I when all is well And have no need of grace; For when my life is full of ease I fail to seek God's face. So let the fiery trial heat up It's then I'm really fine; God's presence is abundant And His face is seeking mine. "Don't be afraid of the fiery trial that is to try you" - where is that Scripture? I think that is the kiln that God puts His clay (us) in to sanctify us perhaps. | |
| DATE | Wednesday, February 21st 2007 - 04:52:45 AM | |
| NAME | John Irwin | |
COMMENTS |
I came to the conclusion that hell is not endless from studying the Scriptures while in my teens. And I have rejoiced in its truth now for more than 50 years.
John Wesley said of those who promote the doctrine of "Eternal Conscious Torment". . . "Your God is my devil". It is a terrible thing to teach that a loving God would keep those who reject him eternally conscious so they could suffer eternally. Again my thanks for your efforts. John Irwin Editor's note from Rodger Tutt: I have several times read that Abraham Lincoln said to an evangelist who was preaching eternal torment, "Your god is my devil." But I have never before heard that John Wesley said it. | |
| DATE | Tuesday, February 20th 2007 - 07:44:37 PM | |
| NAME | Imah Jean Wilson | |
| ijwilsonc@valornet.com | ||
COMMENTS |
the Lord showed me several yrs ago that hell is not eternal. I studied every scripture on it in the old and new testament. That it is judgment unto Victory. Also revealed to me reconciliation of all and that Jesus tasted death for all mankind. But there are steps into His Glory | |
| DATE | Friday, February 16th 2007 - 09:42:06 PM | |
| NAME | Sheila | |
| URL | http://groups.msn.com/Kaikuluotain | |
COMMENTS |
Thank you ever so much for your testimonies!
I do agree with you: My God is LOVE. God is not vindictive, God is good, He is my Father, He loves me so much... Oh, I cannot express my feelings while thinking of the great huge love of my Heavenly Father... My God is merciful, forgiving, gracious, charitable...etc. He could never for ever torture any of His creature... He loves His daughters and sons, He wants to save them and give them eternal home in the Heaven... He loves us so much that He gave His Son to die for us: So: how could He watch His creatures torturing in some flames of some hell??? May God show His love and richly bless you and your visitors! | |
| DATE | Friday, February 2nd 2007 - 12:18:33 PM | |
| NAME | allan | |
| allan@freedomfromfreedomto.com | ||
| URL | http://www.freedomfromfreedomto.com | |
COMMENTS |
A beautiful testimony and a great site here to share the word of God with our very troubled world. Thank You for everything! May the Lord be with you always and forever!
In Jesus' pure and perfect love! Allan | |
| DATE | Monday, January 29th 2007 - 11:56:41 AM | |
| NAME | Rachel | |
| rachel.clarion@yahoo.com | ||
COMMENTS |
How wonderful to hear the Good News... if the new covenant is a better covenant (than the old) then it follows that eternal hell could not be a reality! I too have struggled with severe anxiety over my family going to hell if they don't "say the prayer"... many of them love Jesus but are what you call "new agers" so they don't believe the prayer is necessary. After 15 years of trying to change them, I believe God has shown me that He has saved New Agers and loves them dearly - as much as anyone who claims His name! I have found many websites about universal salvation and it rings true with the God I know as love. Now here is something else that is a major paradigm shift in Christian thinking, but I believe that in the next 50 or so years, every Bible reader will see this clearly: Preterism. It doesn't necessarily go together with the universal belief (in fact, some preterists are calvinists, who believe in pre-destination) and that almost gave me a nervous breakdown contemplating how God could play "eeny-meeny-miney-mo" with little babes in the womb, deciding who would be saved and who would forever be in agony, without their even having a choice! Uh-uh. That's not God. Anyway, try the preterist archive or planet preterist, do a google search... it is amazing how Scripture lines up and is understood better in light of fulfillment theology. It took me a year to swallow it, and understand how the new heavens and new earth are the symbol for the new covenant, and how scary times are in our past, not our future. I was a fundamentalist for years, checking my brain at the door, but I always knew something was amiss in Christendom, and that Christianity had become Churchianity. Together (preterism and universal reconciliation) has given me peace and not fear. It is the GOOD NEWS that will cause every knee to bow to God's amazing Savior, in both this life, and the next. | |
| DATE | Thursday, January 25th 2007 - 10:01:35 AM | |
| NAME | mrwerew | |
COMMENTS |
These forums are wonderful for so many of us who have broken ties with denominations and are shunned by many in these churches.
I have thought about how much time and money is spent by so many hell-fire believing churches to relieve the pain and misery of those here on earth, yet they never talk about eternal hell. The only time they talk about eternal hell is when others refute it, then they get angry. I tried to talk to a few people about universal reconciliation but was told I was on "thin ice" and God wasn't very happy with the direction I was going in. But, I knew God was showing me these truths because He created me a truth seeker. I have to know the truth, no matter how hard it is to swallow. God has slowly shown me more and more truth in the past 2 years since I left Christiandom. I feel so free in the Lord now. I can ask anything about the Bible and God and won't be told that isn't the right thing to do. Anyway, God bless and thanks again. | |
| DATE | Thursday, January 4th 2007 - 08:45:25 AM | |
| NAME | Tigercat | |
COMMENTS |
Rodger, I have also read your testimony on the tentmaker website, and I can certainly identify with some of the things that you have said. I know what it is like to come close to a nervous breakdown, because of the "Hell" (eternal torment) teaching.
The problem was greatly aggravated by the psychological, emotional, and spiritual abuse that I suffered in the "institutional church" (especially, the fundamentalist movement). I have been studying UR since February 2004, and I'm grateful to God for the healing that it has brought to me. Thank you Rodger, you are an angel of mercy. You are a real survivor of spiritual abuse. God is using you to comfort others who have suffered spiritual abuse at the hands of "Hellfire teachers", with the same comfort that He has comforted you with. Keep up the good work, brother. 2 Corinthians 1:2-4 | |
| DATE | Thursday, January 4th 2007 - 06:57:19 AM | |
| NAME | Tracy | |
COMMENTS |
My husband and I used to be pastors in an eternal torment believing denomination. We left there years ago and through the intervening years we have become utterly convinced of the reconciliation of all mankind through Christ.
Thank you so much for your web site! Tracy | |
| DATE | Wednesday, January 3rd 2007 - 11:19:16 AM | |
| NAME | Jared in Colorado | |
COMMENTS |
Just stumbled onto your page today Rodger, and I just wanted to say a real quick "Thanks!" I appreciate your testimonial. I've been on "this journey" for about a year now and everything to me has changed. I see everything differently: God, the scriptures (can't get enough of them now), the "lost", everything! I look forward to devouring more of your website as I get time to do so. Thanks again!
Jared | |
| DATE | Monday, January 1st 2007 - 08:23:04 PM | |
| NAME | Christopher | |
COMMENTS |
Thank you Rodger for posting on our forum the list of online books that show that the Bible teaches universal salvation.
Had I discovered this truth sooner, I wouldn't have had to go through nearly 2 years of torment and anguish. I hope that those who need them most will find these books too. | |
| DATE | Sunday, December 31st 2006 - 08:01:24 PM | |
| NAME | Pam (from near Dallas) | |
COMMENTS |
Dear brother Rodger,
Just this morning I was "led" to read your testimony page on Fire Forums (tentmaker page, I think). And then I went to your own website and just read your tribute to Ray Prinzing. My name is Pam W. and I live in the Dallas Texas area. Just about 3 years ago, God began to 'unveil' to me the joyous truth of His amazing provision through His Son, Jesus for the reconciliation of ALL mankind. Wow, what a wondrous Truth! And also during this 3 years, I was introduced to the writings of Charles Slagle online. He and his wife and I have shared email messages during the last year (though I have not met them yet face to face). Also, I have read extensively, though not as much as you have--the writings of brother Prinzing, which I can hardly get enough of. And now, today--I met you on your website, which I will return to often and soon. Thank you for making available the fruitful bounty that God has given to you! Please pray for my continued faithfulness to and growth in certainty of this revelation. It was not despair or any pain that I recall that God used to bring me into this broader and more accurate view of Him and His Love for us all. Just continuing to let Him love me and desiring more and more to impart His Love to others is what He gave throughout the almost 40 yrs. now of my personal relationship of growing intimacy with Him. That God-given desire, I think is what He was able to use to prepare and then ushered me into this Light! Praise His Name! Your road of previous suffering encourages me for those I love who are suffering in any way right now, because they still have problems with a Father Who would forever punish any of us and refuse His Presence and Love to the same. Thank you again for your loving gift of your insights and life to the Body of Christ, His Bride (of which I am one)! Gratefully and sincerely, your sister-in-Him, Pam | |
| DATE | Saturday, December 23rd 2006 - 11:00:29 AM | |
| NAME | Matt Thomas | |
| URL | http://www.tentmaker.org/visitorcomments.htm | |
COMMENTS |
The belief in eternal torment may be partially to blame for a severe anxiety disorder I have suffered since age 17. I have seen testimonies of people that have gone nearly or completely insane due to this horrible teaching. Don't let it happen to you.
Explore the wonderful truths of the salvation of all mankind found in properly translated Bibles. Learn what Christ meant when He said on the Tree of Crucifixion, "It is finished." Discover the wonderful promises He left for you, your friends, relatives, and loved ones. Seeing a God who lets people be tormented forever breeds contempt for our fellow man and turns a person into a hypocrite. Seeing a God of Love without hypocrisy, breeds forgiveness and sincerity. I've been there. It's your choice. Check out http://www.tentmaker.org and the materials available without price. It's not too late to love and be loved. | |
| DATE | Friday, December 22nd 2006 - 12:46:08 PM | |
| NAME | Gary Cottongim | |
| gary@hell-fact-or-fable.com | ||
| URL | http://hell-fact-or-fable.com | |
COMMENTS |
I would just like to share one of my favorite quotes:
"I am aware that when even the brightest mind in our world has been trained up from childhood in a superstition of any kind, it will never be possible for that mind, in its maturity, to examine sincerely, dispassionately, and conscientiously any evidence or any circumstance which shall seem to cast a doubt upon the validity of that superstition." - Mark Twain Haven't most of us found this to be true regarding our "eternal torment in hell" Christian friends? | |
| DATE | Thursday, December 21st 2006 - 02:21:46 PM | |
| NAME | Mahlon Wickey | |
| mrwickey@netzero.com | ||
COMMENTS |
I have come to believe in the "salvation of all" and also God's "plan of the ages". Recently I gave a sermon to our group entitled "The plan of the ages", and have since resigned as a teaching elder because I lost my credibility when I gave that sermon. Most in our group simply were not ready for this type of theology, if you know what I mean. Also I gave a five part series on the "Wrath of God." | |
| DATE | Wednesday, December 20th 2006 - 09:49:37 AM | |
| NAME | Les | |
| keane.gardeners@xtra.co.nz | ||
COMMENTS |
Hi Rodger, Les here from Churchonline. I know many people who have been through similar experiences as yours because of that false teaching, although they would not have been as intense as yours seems to have been .
Also I have a friend here who believes the same as you and I am inclined to go along with what you believe. Your post is welcome on the board. Blessings, Les | |
| DATE | Wednesday, December 20th 2006 - 06:40:37 AM | |
| NAME | Bob Evely | |
| bob@graceevangel.org | ||
| URL | http://www.graceevangel.org/ | |
COMMENTS |
We who have studied God’s Word and who have been able to escape the “shackles” of the traditional church teaching of the horrendous doctrine of eternal torment must share the truth as we have opportunities.
Yes we may sometimes be rejected … sometimes scoffed at … sometimes criticized … sometimes cast out; but as Christ’s Ambassadors we must share that which He has revealed to us! Too many within the traditional church and within the world have lost faith in God, or in His Word, because of this error within the church’s teachings. Can we simply sit back and remain silent as God is portrayed as one who is all loving and all powerful, yet willing to cast into eternal torment with no hope for repentance and restoration those who died in unbelief? Can we sit back when this falsehood preached in the traditional church drives people away from God, and from His Word? “Yet all is of God, Who conciliates us to Himself through Christ, and is giving us the dispensation of the conciliation, how that God was in Christ, conciliating the world to Himself, not reckoning their offenses to them, and placing in us the word of the conciliation. For Christ, then, are we ambassadors, as of God entreating through us. We are beseeching for Christ’s sake, ‘Be conciliated to God!’ For the One not knowing sin, He makes to be a sin offering for our sakes that we may be becoming God’s righteousness in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:18-21) | |
| DATE | Sunday, December 17th 2006 - 03:12:14 PM | |
| NAME | Jason Worley | |
COMMENTS |
Thanks for all the information Rodger. I am already familiar with the Tentmaker website, and that site has been a help to me in recent months. I will look into the other links you provided as well.
I feel a little guilty that you seem to have put such a great deal of effort into answering my question. All I can say is Thanks & God bless you, sir. Have a truly wonderful day! Jason p.s. I don't know how you Canadians stand that COLD winter. Burrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!! | |
| DATE | Tuesday, December 5th 2006 - 12:17:16 PM | |
| NAME | Rodger Tutt | |
| rodgertutt@sympatico.ca | ||
| URL | http://www.tentmaker.org/visitorcomments.htm | |
COMMENTS |
I invite you to read the comments of many people who were helped by the contents of the tentmaker site.
http://www.tentmaker.org/visitorcomments.htm | |
| DATE | Monday, December 4th 2006 - 03:59:11 AM | |
| NAME | V. E. Jacobson | |
| URL | http://www.saviour-of-all.org/fifteenbombs.html | |
COMMENTS |
I have quit preaching "everlasting torment." I have changed but in the same way as a grammar school boy changes when he goes to high school.
Through the concordant method of Bible study, the Sacred Scriptures themselves have answered questions that neither college and seminary professors nor commentaries could or would try to answer. I am amazed and fascinated by the Word as never before. It sets forth one God Who is just, loving and loveable; for Whose person and work there is no need of apology for One Who is operating the universe in accord with the counsel of His will. I glory in being His slave and in being deemed worthy to suffer reproach for His Name's sake. | |
| DATE | Sunday, December 3rd 2006 - 04:54:11 AM | |
| NAME | Jeff from Arizona | |
COMMENTS |
Rodger, Concordant Publishing Concern was a lifesaver for me about 5 years ago when I found one of their pages on the internet. http://www.concordant.org/
I wasn't having a nervous breakdown, but I was getting quite depressed and ready for something different than what I was seeing in Christianity or in my Bible. I had heard about universalism, but I thought it must be for people who didn't know or believe what the Bible said. Wow, I'm glad my Bible was wrong! | |
| DATE | Sunday, November 19th 2006 - 02:05:03 PM | |
| NAME | Tadd from Kentucky | |
COMMENTS |
Rodger, I really sympathize with you, and I understand the road that you have traveled.
I have seen people, happy productive people who knew a measure of peace, start going to endless-hell churches, join these churches, and within 6 months to a year, gain 50 or 60 pounds, can't sleep, chain smoking, on "nerve pills", families broke up, seeing a psychiatrist, and finally end up in the psych-ward or worst! And is it any wonder why??! I have seen this happen within my own family, I had a cousin. We grew up together, played music together, partied together, a born comedian, he was always a joy to be around, and now he's gone, . . .victim of the endless-hell system?, . . I don't know, can't say, can't prove it, but I have my own thoughts on it. One night he "shot himself in the head", . . . and I honestly suspect this endless-hell belief was at the very root of it because of something that was hinted at in the note he left behind. May GOD continue to Bless & comfort your heart through Him that Loved us and gave Himself for us. You and your family will always be continually in my heart & prayers! "To an unbelieving heart all the evidence in a million worlds will not suffice, but a believing heart needs no proof" ~ Hosea Ballou | |
| DATE | Sunday, November 19th 2006 - 01:35:30 PM | |
| NAME | Debbie Boutwell | |
| URL | http://www.debosblog.blogspot.com/ | |
COMMENTS |
"Rodger, I would like to say that your website was very valuable to me about 5 or 6 years ago as I started to see the wonderful truth of universal salvation.
I wanted universal reconciliation to be true so much when I first heard about it, I decided to try and refute it. I knew if I could refute it I should not look into it any further. To my delight, I was totally unable to." | |
| DATE | Sunday, November 19th 2006 - 08:30:56 AM | |
| NAME | Trecola Lowe | |
| trecolalowe21@aol.com | ||
COMMENTS |
Rodger, I know that there will be an end to hell for everyone. The way I see it is that the things we go through in this life before we come into the knowing of who GOD is within us is our hell. Hell is everything that keeps us out of the will of GOD. Once we are AWAKEND by the SPIRIT of the ONE AND ONLY LIVING GOD then and only then can we began to find our way out of our fears, delusions, unrighteousness thoughts, agreement with false teachings, torments, lusts, greed, addictions, low-self esteem, pride......
I thank GOD that he is such a loving compassionate Father, Who will eventually love us all right out of our hell, and into His Glory and Peace that passes all understanding. Your awakening sister in CHRIST Trecola Lowe P.S. may your ministry be blessed in spreading the truth | |
| DATE | Wednesday, November 8th 2006 - 11:09:23 AM | |
| NAME | Jacob | |
COMMENTS |
Your following post on THE FULL BIBLE TRUTH forum was very profitable reading!
Regarding the most common argument that the same word for "punishment" is also used for "life" see the following: All three of these articles should be studied with care, especially the third one. http://concordant.org/expohtml/TheEons/eon1.html http://concordant.org/expohtml/TheEons/eon2.html http://concordant.org/expohtml/TheEons/eon3.html also see: http://concordant.org/expohtml/TheEons/aion.html http://concordant.org/version/tranprin.html | |
| DATE | Tuesday, October 24th 2006 - 08:14:08 AM | |
| NAME | David Dyball | |
| wolf_lord2002@hotmail.com | ||
| URL | http://groups.msn.com/GodSquadTeam | |
COMMENTS |
Thank you very much my good man for your information about the new book HOPE BEYOND HELL by Gerry Beauchemin.
http://www.hopebeyondhell.net/index.html It is very good to have you on the God Squad Team forum! I have never been taught that people will have ENDLESS suffering, in fact, at the Christian School I went to they taught that eventually everyone will be saved and God will create a new paradise for us all. I have encouraged anyone on the forum who disagrees to join in a discussion so we can bounce back ideas. | |
| DATE | Sunday, October 22nd 2006 - 11:37:25 PM | |
| NAME | Rodger Tutt | |
| rodgertutt@sympatico.ca | ||
| URL | http://www.hopebeyondhell.net/index.html | |
COMMENTS |
HOPE BEYOND HELL by Gerry Beauchemin
An excellent newly published book! Notice that the entire text of this book is online. http://www.hopebeyondhell.net/index.html gerry@hopebeyondhell.net (Gerry's email address) The Bible says that God is love. Love is not just one of God’s attributes. God is not just a loving individual. God is love in essence. What a travesty; what a revolting definition of love it is that God, Who is love personified, would grant any creature a will so strong that they can choose themselves into an irreversible state of never ending suffering! The blood of Jesus Christ guarantees that this will not occur, but instead, all will eventually be saved from everything from which they need to be saved, including their stubborn wills. For people who are suffering nervous breakdown symptoms over their inability to love a god who would allow anyone to suffer forever, I want you to know that all of the arguments and scripture quotes in THE TRUTH ABOUT HELL article, and all of the other scriptures that seem to support endless suffering in hell have been refuted through the more than 600 page search engine at the top of the front page on the TENTMAKER site. TENTMAKER is number one on Google's TENTMAKER list so you can easily Google it up. Just type in a key word or phrase from any argument or Bible passage and ten articles will appear that refute that argument. Remember, just because you don't have an answer to an argument right now, it doesn't mean that there is no answer. During my 69 years of living, I have discovered that there is an answer to every argument that has been conceived in support of the idea that the Bible teaches endless suffering for anyone. From Rodger Tutt in Toronto, Canada "That God may be All in all" 1Cor.15:28 | |
| DATE | Saturday, October 21st 2006 - 06:39:06 AM | |
| NAME | Alan McSavage | |
| broal1@cogeco.ca | ||
| URL | http://greater-emmanuel.org | |
COMMENTS |
I was caught up to the heavens on one occasion and was enveloped in God’s love.
That love has never left me and has caused all fear of the past, present and future to vanish as a vapour in the night. I have found as I have grown older a new found love for all mankind has developed and I fully expect to see the salvation of all men. It all starts with a personal discovery of the Lord of lords and the King of kings. After all my searching I found that “He was here, all the time” | |
| DATE | Monday, October 16th 2006 - 08:25:47 PM | |
| NAME | Jeanne Tessier | |
| jmtess@yahoo.com | ||
COMMENTS |
Hello Rodger.
I was happy to receive your email and thank you for keeping me on your mailing list. I have recently directed a few people to your website and they have found much food and encouragement there. Your work for all of God's people, every person on the face of the earth, is more than commendable. You serve selflessly and with only one thought; to bring peace to all those suffering the torment of denominational churchianity. Well Brother Rodger, blessings upon blessings in all you do and in your life in general. Love in Christ, Jeanne | |
| DATE | Friday, October 13th 2006 - 10:55:53 AM | |
| NAME | Anonymous | |
COMMENTS |
Thanks for the info Rodger. I read the article ABSOLUTE ASSURANCE by Charles Slagle that you guided me to. http://www.sigler.org/slagle/absolute.htm
It is somewhat like my own transformation. I was on Paxil for nearly 6 years then Wellbutrin for two years because of the doctrine of eternal suffering in hell, but now I'm off both because I know that God loves all unconditionally and will eventually save everyone, not just a few. It has cleared my head of being judgemental and fearful. I copied and pasted some of the things that Charles wrote. Thanks again Rodger and feel free to send anything that might be useful. Love Anonymous | |
| DATE | Wednesday, August 16th 2006 - 12:08:24 PM | |
| NAME | Vivian | |
COMMENTS |
Thank you, Rodger, for your helpful information.
It is good to see others in the world serving by trying to free minds from this erroneous interpretation. Is it not obvious that the religion of Constantine set out to control the masses through theology, eliminating from Jesus' teachings all understandings that would loosen their control? Once one gives themselves permission to see differently than the masses, the freedom that Jesus promises starts to become a reality. Vivian | |
| DATE | Sunday, August 13th 2006 - 10:23:18 PM | |
| NAME | Char Tierney | |
| FreePictures@comcast.net | ||
| URL | http://www.OperationJesusPictures.com | |
COMMENTS |
Thanks for posting on our message board Rodger. We are sorry to hear of the suffering you endured in the past, which we can see was very painful.
Brother, we do not teach a God who puts people in hell with never a chance to come out. Rather, we teach as the Scriptures do that Jesus went to hell and preached to those who were there since the days of Noah, and then took them out. "When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men. What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions?" Ephesians 8. - The captives were the captives in hell to whom He had preached. I asked the Father about people going to hell "forever" and He told me that forever means, "as long as there is time". Hell is a place to repent, for those who did not repent on earth. Our God loves us (each person of the earth) and His nature is to save, to redeem, as Jesus illustrated so well when He came to bear the penalty for our sin. God bless you. Thanks again for your post. Char Tierney | |
| DATE | Monday, July 31st 2006 - 03:42:09 PM | |
| NAME | Michelle | |
| mayflour@gmail.com | ||
COMMENTS |
Rodger, over a month after you had posted your testimony at my forum on http://pub26.bravenet.com/forum/2205239445/, I happened to check in there today and discover it ... My aplogies for having taken so long to do so! I closed the account that forum is based in awhile back, which is why nothing's really going on over there .... Not long ago I became convinced of universal redemption and am now actively sharing about it in some Catholic-Protestant discussion groups I belong to in Yahoo. Am looking forward to checking out the rest of your site!
Blessings, Michelle | |
| DATE | Friday, July 28th 2006 - 11:34:32 AM | |
| NAME | Sarah | |
| redtygrr@sbcglobal.net | ||
COMMENTS |
I have not suffered a nervous breakdown, but I have suffered from severe anger and depression because of the teachings of an "eternal" hell and suffering. I also found myself unable to truly love or respect a god that could send anyone to such a place. It has been said also that "we send ourselves to hell" but how can that be, if God is totally sovereign and in total control? This website is a blessing. Thank you for spreading the True Good News. May you be blessed always. | |
| DATE | Wednesday, July 19th 2006 - 05:21:02 PM | |
| NAME | Brenda | |
| boo24d@netzero.net | ||
COMMENTS |
For many years I never really questioned the idea of hell being eternal. I really think I put it to the back of my mind. Until God sent my husband and myself to another state to a new church, where the pastor didn't believe in an eternal hell. Personally to me this sounded wonderful. So I really prayed about it and asked God to tell me. And He did. He simply said there is a hell but it is not eternal. That was enough for me. I know as I grow and mature in God He will reveal deeper truths to me. But the truth of univeral reconciliation is quite wonderful. This is how I've come to see it. God's mercies are everlasting, His judgments are for but a season. | |
| DATE | Friday, June 30th 2006 - 11:20:38 PM | |
| NAME | Randy Cook | |
| randycook@yar.eastlink.ca <randycook@yar.eastlink.ca> | ||
COMMENTS |
I want to thank you for all the great sites. I only recently embraced Christian universalism ,so I am being completely re-wired and this is a joyful and painful all at the same time experience if you know
what I mean? Thankfully I am not alone where I live, I have a few other brothers and sisters that are sharing in this as well. To tell you the truth I can hardly believe what I am seeing these days. I don't know if I would have embraced this wonderful truth If the Lord did not reveal grace to me first. About two years ago now I had a revelation of His amazing ALL sufficient grace. I can not really explain it all. It was kind of like being born again,again. Returning to my first love would be another way of saying it. Anyway I suppose the Lord figured I was ready to see the Salvation of all. I recently told a friend it's like Grace with the doors blown off. All isn't well in regards to my home church these days as I just can't be quite about it. I hope I can touch base again if it's alright. Your brother in Christ, Randy. PS: I'm hoping to have Mike Williams come to be with us in the fall of this year, LORD willing. | |
| DATE | Saturday, June 24th 2006 - 03:24:56 PM | |
| NAME | Andrew Maclarty | |
| editor@gracetruth.com | ||
| URL | http://www.gracetruth.com/ | |
COMMENTS |
In my late teenage years, one day when entering my workplace, I was confronted by the manager. The conversation went something like this.
"Andrew, what is that book you are carrying?" "It's a Bible, sir." "Are you a Christian then?" "Yes, I am." "Tell me, what happens when we die?" "Well, if we are a Christian, we go to Heaven." "But if we are not a Christian, where do we go then?" "If we are not saved, the Bible says we go to Hell." "But doesn't God love everyone?" "Yes He does." "And this place called Hell - what's it like?" "It's a place of punishment." "What kind of punishment?" "Well, the Bible says it is a place where the wicked are burned up." "Is this for ever and ever?" "Yes." "Tell me, who made Hell?" "Well, the Bible says God made everything, so He must have made Hell." "And why did He make Hell?" "To punish the wicked." "But you have just said that God loves everyone. Why then did He make Hell? Could He not have foreseen what would happen, that countless millions would suffer in Hell forever?" For the first time in my life I found myself embarrassed with the 'gospel' of evangelical tradition, and though these questions were obvious, these were matters I had studiously avoided. Fortunately for me the time to start work had arrived, and I escaped further questioning, but like Saul of Tarsus, I found myself kicking against the goads, and God was preparing me to receive the transcendent truths of His purpose to reconcile all to Himself. Andrew Maclarty, Nottingham, England | |
| DATE | Saturday, May 6th 2006 - 07:25:58 PM | |
| NAME | Glenn Booth | |
| gbooth2@midsouth.rr.com | ||
COMMENTS |
I found your web site through a link from Path Finders which my son recommended to me.
http://www.godfire.net/elwin.html I have been a universalist Christian for nigh on to 25 years. C.S. Lewis' "Mere Christianity" convinced me of the truth of Christianity and Leslie Weatherhead's "The Christian Agnostic" convinced me of universalism. I am a United Methodist and am involved with many clergy who agree with the tenents of universalism.Weatherhead's argument is that, God being Love will bring every created thing back to it's original intended purpose....and that being...communion with the creator!!! Peace of Christ be with you now and forever. Glenn Booth | |
| DATE | Thursday, February 23rd 2006 - 09:41:28 PM | |
| NAME | Tony Nungesser | |
| tnungesser@adlmi.org | ||
| URL | http://www.saviour-of-all.org/ | |
COMMENTS |
I remember when I was a young man, camping out and sitting around the fire, I would look intently into the flames and glowing embers and ask my friends just how is it possible that people can go to a place like that for eternity. No one ever had an answer. My conscience was so stirred by the nightmarish scenes conjured up in my mind that I could not rest until I had a good answer.
Not until a friend, years later, handed me a Concordant Literal New Testament and some of the writings from THE CONCORDANT PUBLISHING CONCERN, were my fears put to rest. My conscience exulted at the wonderful truths! It could not side with the doctrine of demons called "eternal torment." I thank God my conscience was not cauterized so that I could not recognize the truth when it was brought before me! | |
| DATE | Friday, February 10th 2006 - 04:49:17 AM | |
| NAME | Ken Visscher | |
| visscher@telus.net | ||
| URL | http://www.greater-emmanuel.org/v/ | |
COMMENTS |
I believe that God's will is absolutely sovereign in it's own working and it cannot fail for ANYONE.
That will, Holy and without fault of any kind, and only made of light eternal will prevail in the fullness of manifestation for every one of God's intents and purposes in order that He may become ALL IN ALL. Note from Rodger Tutt: Ken Visscher helped design my website. See his "designing websites" site at http://greater-emmanuel.org/v/Website_Designs.html (copy and paste in address bar), for help with your website. | |
| DATE | Tuesday, July 26th 2005 - 11:51:56 AM | |
| NAME | Vanessa | |
| vanessa4415@hotmail.com | ||
COMMENTS |
I frequently fought with my pastors about this subject.
The first work I found on the web in support of the Bible teaching universal salvation was Bill Britton's site. http://www.dimensionsoftruth.org/bill_britton/ You can imagine how I felt when I realized that I was not crazy and the Bible was not a joke. Then I found Gary Sigler's site, and boy o boy, Oh happy day! http://sigler.org/audio-gary.htm/ I knew and realized then that I really was not crazy at all. Here were people with answers to what was tormenting my mind. And now I had finally found those answers. Rodger, I will check out the web sites to which you guided me. I am going back to Guyana next week for about three weeks. If I get my computer fixed while I am there I may be able to print some of this good news for my loved ones there. So thanks again. Be blessed and be well, Vanessa. | |
| DATE | Saturday, July 23rd 2005 - 10:45:21 PM | |
| NAME | Ted Jones | |
| th.jones@sympatico.ca | ||
COMMENTS |
Since 1981 I have published the ad HELL IS NOT ENDLESS in the personal column of two of Toronto's largest newspapers along with my phone number. Many other people are involved in this same kind of ministry in different ways. It has been a great joy for us to read the testimonials of people who have been delivered from unbearable emotional distress when they learn about Concordant theology.
If I had not learned about this theology, there is no doubt in my mind that I would be locked up in a mental hospital for the rest of my life. Until I learned about this theology I did not want to go on living any more. There were times during my twelve year nervous breakdown (1966-78), that if I had had a gun in my hand, I would have used it on myself and thrown myself on the mercy of a God Whose mercy I could not recognize inside of endless-hell theology. The suffering was that intense. Without Concordant theology, even the great love of my wife, Helen, would not be enough to make me want to go on living. http://www.concordant.org/ http://www.saviour-of-all.org/ Ted Jones | |
| DATE | Friday, July 22nd 2005 - 09:54:03 AM | |
| NAME | Patrick Strickland | |
| Pjstriker@earthlink.net | ||
COMMENTS |
If one truly gets to choose Christ on their own, then one has the opportunity to glory in the flesh, that is, in one's ability. As we read no flesh will get to glory in His presence!!!
Is it not amazing what God has called impossible: man has declared that it is possible for his free will to take hold of the Spirit of life. Even more amazing what God calls possible: man declares that it is impossible for God to save all men. Matthew 19: 25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, with men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. Patrick Strickland | |
| DATE | Friday, July 22nd 2005 - 09:44:20 AM | |
| NAME | Henry | |
COMMENTS |
I have tried to present the truth of universal reconciliation to the evangelical community here in Toronto and teaching it at the college and seminary level has gotten me into a lot of trouble. I have found no one who is even remotely interested in promoting it even though it is the glorious Gospel. It has been soundly rejected by most evangelical leaders in Canada. All my friends from many churches in the past no longer invite me to their fellowships. I am not bitter but just looking for God's next step.
Until coming across Tentmaker http://www.tentmaker.org/ I thought nobody else was aware of this position. Finding a teaching opportunity has so far been impossible. However I do trust God for each step. I am not presently looking for either a teaching or pastoring position. I am just resting in God's agenda and taking each day as it comes. I have discovered that this is not my battle and that I can't make any spiritual progress or enjoy any successes in the flesh. Waiting upon God is everything! Henry | |
| DATE | Friday, July 22nd 2005 - 08:22:23 AM | |
| NAME | Chris Moyer | |
COMMENTS |
When I saw the verses supporting universalism on Gary Amirault's web site at http://www.tentmaker.org/
I had to check every one to see if it really was in the Bible, because I couldn't quite believe it. Some of the verses varied a little, as I was using an NIV Bible, but the meaning was the same. I was amazed, and relieved. Now I had a biblical basis for my belief in a truly loving and 100% merciful God. I no longer had to love a God who sent countless billions of people to eternal torment in a lake of fire. I still have so much to learn about God's perfect love. I hope to share this "perfect" God with as many as I can in a loving way, unlike the way I shared my idea of the God of Wrath. I hope to become conformed to his image, and now that I know the true nature of God, I don't have to worry that being conformed to God is like being conformed to a hateful sadist. I can trust that my role model in life is perfect in every way, and loves without ceasing even the most dreadful, heinous sinners this world has ever known. God bless you in your search for love and truth. Chris Moyer | |
| DATE | Friday, July 22nd 2005 - 08:14:54 AM | |
| NAME | Beth Walters | |
COMMENTS |
When I heard this doctrine of "the reconciliation of all" it all just FELL INTO PLACE!! God's love really is UNCONDITIONAL!!!! He wants us ALL to have a revelation of this love.
I think this is what He meant when Jesus said "You have left your first love" I think when a person just seeks God and He comes to them the way He came to me in that A.A. meeting, that kind of meeting is the way He REALLY IS! Just perfect love, unconditional love, not based on the condition of IF I do right He will love me or else. I think that first love is what we leave when we start pretending. As we allow fear from various other sources to enter, we lose that first love. I'm just as guilty as the next person except for one exception. Even though I'm still full of the fear of man and I'm ashamed to say I have passed up many chances to show God's love, I know my Father will never leave me now or forsake me, NEVER!!! It has become revelation to me not a doctrine of men or of my mind. Beth Walters | |
| DATE | Friday, July 22nd 2005 - 08:07:11 AM | |
| NAME | Ty Milligan | |
COMMENTS |
It would take more space than is allowed to tell the whole story of the effects that the teachings of eternal damnation have had on my life and the lives of others that I care for. But, if there is only one tormented soul that finds comfort in knowing they are not alone in this struggle and that I may help another find the truth of God's all-embracing, never-failing, love and character, as well as the strength to face the enemy with the truth, then it would be worth it all!
God Bless and Keep you always, Ty Milligan | |
| DATE | Friday, July 22nd 2005 - 07:41:56 AM | |
| NAME | Glenn Genoway | |
COMMENTS |
The more I studied God's Word the more I began to understand that God's Word teaches that the Lord will eventually restore all to Himself. For His precious blood to do any less would be a sacrilege.
When I shared my wonderful discovery with others, I was told that this was the "Universalist Heresy" and that my understanding was incorrect. But the Lord has shown me that my understanding is correct! Since I truly began to understand how awesome is the absolute sovereignty of God, there has been a more comprehensive work done in my heart. My love for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is greater than it has ever been. Knowing that He will reconcile His entire creation to Himself just makes Him more precious. His love for us is beyond human understanding. Glenn Genoway | |
| DATE | Friday, July 22nd 2005 - 07:33:17 AM | |
| NAME | Kyle Milner | |
COMMENTS |
Belief in eternal torment is partially to blame for a severe anxiety disorder I have suffered since age 17.
I have seen testimonies of people that have gone nearly or completely insane due to this horrible teaching. Don't let it happen to you. Explore the wonderful truths of the salvation of all mankind found in properly translated Bibles. Learn what Christ meant when He said on the Tree of Crucifixion, "It is finished." Discover the wonderful promises He left for you, your friends, relatives, and loved ones. Spend some time on Gary Amirault's web site at http://www.tentmaker.org/ Kyle Milner | |
| DATE | Friday, July 22nd 2005 - 07:23:18 AM | |
| NAME | Craig Neal | |
COMMENTS |
The words my son spoke cut me like a knife and I will never forget them:
"Daddy, I try to be a good boy, but I can't be good like you. The devil is going to take me down to hell with him and I'll never see you and mommy any more." He believed in his heart that if some people weren't going to make it, it could be him. I had already started studying about the love of God and the salvation of all mankind just previous to this, but had not yet shared it with my son. That night I shared the true Gospel with him and swore I would never go back to a life of false teaching and fear. That night I allowed my little boy to be a child again, and allowed myself to have the faith of a little child also. NO church will ever take that away from us. God bless, Craig Neal | |
| DATE | Friday, July 22nd 2005 - 07:16:12 AM | |
| NAME | Andy | |
COMMENTS |
Many Christians quite openly and specifically believe God's love for the lost... great as they sincerely believe it to be... will indeed expire, run out and become of no effect. I make no accusation here. This is at the heart of the doctrine of endless torment, for if the endless torment that most Christians believe awaits unbelievers after this earthly life is over is true, then it simply CANNOT be said that God's love will never fail. In fact, the endless torment envisioned by popular Christianity is the epitome of a love that fails. Most believers wouldn't put it quite so harshly, but the meaning would be entirely the same.
Fortunately, we can let every man be a liar and still trust in God's word. The love with which God loves us all... believer and unbeliever alike... never fails. It never expires. It never ceases to be in full effect. It is always seeking, not after itself, but after the good it hopes and believes for its object. That is true for you and me, for our loved ones, for the strangers in traffic or on the street... for every single man, woman and child. There are many sound reasons why the doctrinal tradition of endless torment cannot stand scriptural scrutiny, and why the reconciliation of all humanity in Christ Jesus is true. And all of them are worthy of careful and prayerful study. But few are more fundamental than the understanding God gives us of the nature of His steadfast love. Andy | |
| DATE | Friday, July 22nd 2005 - 07:07:52 AM | |
| NAME | Ruth Jacob | |
COMMENTS |
My confidence that God will win everything and everyone by His love has grown into certainty. Previously I used to feel I ought to "witness", or I'd want to do it so that they would be saved from eternal torture, but now I'm itching to say, look, everything's going to be all right in the end. He's the God of creation, not just a little god for Christians: He's going to revive, He's going to bring back to life, He's going to restore the whole creation, He won't fail to save and reconcile everyone because everyone from all time and from everywhere is whom His salvation was intended for. He is God, and we are not little gods who can spoil His plan by sending ourselves to hell forever.
This revelation of God's nature and purpose has totally changed the way I perceive everything. Even through the darkest times, when I have nothing to offer him, I know He is there, that He continues to love me, and that nothing can change that. And, at last, I have stopped crying out in my sleep. God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not charging their trespasses to them (2 Corinthians 5:19). In other words, the action of reconciling the whole world and not charging them with their wrongdoing has been completed. Like a rock pushed over a cliff, the action is completed. The result is inevitable, even though all the effects are not yet evident. God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not charging their trespasses to them, and he has given to us the message of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:19) Our message is not one of terror: "or else;" it is "be reconciled to God, make friends with God, he wants to make friends with you." Love doesn't threaten, or give deadlines or ultimatums; Love "suffers long, and is kind ... thinks no evil". Ruth Jacob | |
| DATE | Friday, July 22nd 2005 - 06:56:20 AM | |
| NAME | Barbara Buchner | |
COMMENTS |
Before I met the evangelicals I had thought Jesus liked me just as much as I liked him. Now they told me squarely that He hated me, that He had prepared an endless hell of suffering for me and would send me there if I wasn't born again. It was a shock like finding out your beloved husband is planning to murder you!
I guess you have heard this story a thousand times already. I have forgiven those people and don't want to be reminded of them. I lived with them for years in constant fear and oppression, years in which I was constantly afraid of the "invisible forces" around me and afraid of God, who - as evangelical literature has it - loves to send all sorts of dreadful unhappiness to his children and then demand that they praise Him all the same. It seemed to me that, born again or not, punishment was my fate. First God had punished me because of my sin, now he punished me to "make me grow in the Lord". I never dared to say it out loud, but I had the growing feeling that "free grace" was like a loan. First they hand you a lot of money, and then you pay interest the rest of your life, much more than you originally received. They had a saying "the devil promises much, gives little and takes all." To me it seemed that was equally true of Jesus: He had promised me "life, and life abundantly", had given me very little and taken away all the joy and pleasure I might have had in life. I grew to hate him, but I also was very much afraid of him, so I would go on praying and testifying. I gave witness to my friends, but secretly hoped that none of those dear, interesting and friendly people would become a born again X-ian, all saccharine sweet smiles and icy cold eyes. Sometimes I wished I were an animal, who would one day die and know no more. Barbara Buchner | |
| DATE | Friday, July 22nd 2005 - 06:28:55 AM | |
| NAME | Gary Amirault | |
| gary@tentmaker.org | ||
| URL | http://www.tentmaker.org/ | |
COMMENTS |
Most of those I have met who believe in the salvation of all mankind, have come to this conclusion by revelation and/or intense study of the Bible, church history, language studies, etc. They often are severely persecuted for their beliefs, not by the world systems, but by the church systems. They have cried out in earnestness to our Father for truth because they would have gladly abandoned this teaching to avoid the severe persecution which their entire family suffers at the hands of the "orthodox." We are not masochists. We do not long for cold stares, whisperings behind our backs, hate letters, being called wolves, anti-Christ, and a host of other defaming names. Could we wash away this humiliation and be accepted by our other Christian brothers and sisters, we would most gladly give up this rejection up, but not at the cost of maligning the precious name of our Father. We would rather receive the praises from above than compromise the glory of our Father and exchange it for the praises from man.
Gary Amirault | |
| DATE | Friday, July 22nd 2005 - 05:57:59 AM | |
| NAME | Scott Paris | |
| SParis333@aol.com | ||
COMMENTS |
Will everyone who ever lived arise to be rewarded or judged? Of course! No one has been forgotten, nor will anyone ever be! Failure to recognize this causes false doctrines to spring up. Will anyone's death be final? No, our Savior was victorious over every death! All who have been created have been redeemed, but it is going to be very hard on those who must go through long correction!
Many believers resist measuring these "for ever" texts. But it is all so simple! The righteous (who are a minority, as a few) will receive life which is not subject to death. Rev. 2: 11. This thrives on and on until death is destroyed. In effect then, life is ETERNAL life, and there is not one thing to worry over! So as believers, let us rejoice that we receive such LIFE. None will be tortured for ever, or destroyed for ever. ALL of us are safe in our heavenly Father's hands! Praise Him. Oh, how we can trust such a loving Creator! Scott Paris | |
| DATE | Friday, July 22nd 2005 - 05:41:39 AM | |
| NAME | Blue Skies | |
COMMENTS |
It just 'burns me up' that the world has swallowed the luciferian image of God! As mean and spiteful.... Those of strong anti-christian (and anti-christianity) sentiment tell us that the God we worship is evil.... "eternal hellfire" is the fuel of this hatred of God.
God IS Love... a burning torturous place where souls burn in unbelievable pain and melting anguish for ever and ever...? A horrible portrait. "THIS is life eternal to KNOW God, and the one he sent forth..." (Jn 17:3) I fail to see how anyone who truly knows God, could believe this... and why do so many "embrace" it, even after scriptures pointing out otherwise? (Bless them, they are trying to be faithful.) Do we ultimately 'hope'? those who don't think like we do, will end up there? More and more I find this sentiment when it comes to doctrine! (If you don't interpret the scripture as I do... well, you'll surely pay!) Blue Skies | |
| DATE | Thursday, July 21st 2005 - 08:39:01 PM | |
| NAME | Bryce Norton | |
COMMENTS |
I was raised in a very strict Baptist missionary home. Born in Tokyo, raised in Japan, my dad started 4 churches during a period of 40+ years. He would often preach about the torments of endless burning, attempting to motivate the Japanese congregation by fear, I suppose.
About a year ago I did a study on the words eternity, forever, everlasting, and do you know what I discovered? From the context of a significant number of these words, their meaning COULDN'T POSSIBLY mean endless!! And if we as students of the Bible correctly interpret scripture with scripture, this has a profound effect on one's evaluation of the true meaning of these words. I was WILLING to accept God's Word about this teaching, assuming the most horrible thought, that people would burn and burn forever and what a tormenting thought that was. But I believe God blessed me in a remarkable way by revealing these secrets to me, just like He did to you Rodger!! THE TRUTH HAS SET US FREE, thank God! Bryce Norton Pontiac, Michigan | |
| DATE | Thursday, July 21st 2005 - 05:43:24 PM | |
| NAME | Allen Steinhauer | |
COMMENTS |
The greatest thing that has ever happened in my life, is when the Lord Jesus showed me, that in the end, He will save all mankind.
I now believe in the glorious Gospel of grace, not of works lest anyone should boast. I remember as a young child, I completely believed what my church leaders and my pastor told me about God. However, I now have come to understand that they had told me certain things that were simply not true about Him and because of these errors, it caused me much needless pain and suffering throughout my life. For one thing, when I was young, I feared going to Hell. I feared very much going to a place, that these men of God spoke of, a place called endless torment. You see, I was told by these men, that there were certain things that would be required of me, certain things that I must perform to their expectation before I could become saved, before they would accept me as saved. The problem was, that their rules, their requirements were beyond my capability to perform. So no matter how hard I tried, no matter how hard I begged, no matter how hard I pleaded to God, I was unable to meet these requirements for salvation. How well I remember, I prayed to God, many many times asking Him to save me. So I was stuck, I was damned. Damned because I simply could not perform to the expectation of these men, because in their eyes and according to the standard that they had set up, I was not yet saved, and if I would happen to die before becoming saved, my destiny was an endless hell. So it is impossible to portray the anguish I went through as a child. I was so afraid to go to sleep at night, for years and years of fearing death, fearing to face an eternal torment and judgment. You see I feared God all right, not out of love or respect, but out of a fear that of an eternal judgment and damnation. And in MY CHILDLIKE MIND, I knew I dared not question the authority of these men. After all, these were supposed to be men of God. These were men who supposedly knew and studied the Scriptures. These were the people to whom I was supposes to respect, honor and obey. But AH, our God is faithful, He is so wonderfully faithful unto His creation, especially unto those living under fear. So, during this same time of confusion and fears, I also received divine insight, I also knew, that I knew that God loved me. This knowledge and understanding of God's love wasn't so much taught unto me by men, but came from my loving Heavenly Father Himself. This love, His love, is what kept me going, kept me pressing on, kept me striving, kept me longing for more of God, to get closer and closer unto Him. My head was confused with the teachings of men, the teachings that brought despair and fear to my soul, but at the same time, God in his mercy was speaking to my heart. His Spirit brought love and comfort through this maze of my turmoil. Quite by accident, (not really) I came upon a teaching that God is the Savior of all men in January of 2000. I remember I had punched in SALVATION on my PC , and Ken Allen's site, True Grace Ministries came up. www.auburn.edu/~allenkc/ministry.html It was a real shocker to me, to read that my God is truely "the Savior of All mankind," and He won't torture endlessly most of humanity, as I had formerly been taught. My, this was an awesome awakening!! After reading many articles, and much study, at sites such as: www.auburn.edu/~allenkc/ministry.html www.tentmaker.org/ sigler.org/slagle/ http://gtft.org/ www.sigler.org/ people.zeelandnet.nl/wjanse/welcome.htm This understanding, THE RECONCILIATION OF ALL MEN, really hit home. It literally captivated my whole being. After spending the last number of months in constant study and research on this subject, I soon realized I had to repent to my Lord for believing that He was a "god of eternal torment and torture" to those whom He's already destined to save. I am now convinced of the truth of Ultimate Reconciliation of ALL by the abundance of Scripture and the love that God has for His creation. Upon learning that Christ did not sacrifice in vain for anyone, I was set free. Free to learn, free to explore, free to question, free to imagine, free to worship in spirit and in truth. Allen Steinhauer | |
| DATE | Thursday, July 21st 2005 - 03:51:32 PM | |
| NAME | Eileen | |
COMMENTS |
I started life in a church which taught eternal torment. Later I became part of a cult that taught annihilation. I didn't know that universal salvation was even a possibility until a couple of years ago after my near suicide.
It was during the years that I was coming out of the cult and the deep depressions that the experience brought to me and the thoughts of ending my own life, that made me think about my two sons that I would leave behind me if I did take that way out of life. I embraced the joy of universal salvation about two and a half years ago, when I found out for the first time in my life that there actually are other people in the world who believe it and have for a very long time. It was the same day that I was going to hang myself in the garage that I found websites that talked about universal salvation. Thanks, Rodger, for sharing your thoughts here and in other places on the web. I was one of your "silent readers" that you mentioned two and a half years ago the afternoon I nearly ended my life. I had had such a desire to understand God all my life. When I was a little girl I had felt so loved by my childish idea of God, the child who had no knowledge of all the theologies written about Him. The stained glass window above the altar in the church was of Jesus holding a shepherd's staff in one hand and cradling a little lamb in His arm. That picture of Jesus, 'my' Jesus Who loved me, spoke more to me than words. I remember my innocence about Him being shattered when a missionary came to our church and showed us slides of African children, children just like me but half a world away, and the missionary said that these children and others like them would go to an ever-burning hell if they didn't hear about Jesus. As a little girl I didn't have the adult vocabulary or knowledge of the theology that had spawned this remark, but from that day on I felt sick in my soul for what was ripped from me. When I was contemplating taking my life a couple of years ago, I kept thinking about what kind of God I would be leaving my two precious sons in the care of. What would He do to these precious lives I had brought into world? What kind of God were they expected to love? I know people who love the God who will torment people forever. I know people who love the God who will annihilate people into oblivion forever. I had come to the point in my life where I could no longer contemplate loving either of those Gods, neither in this life nor in eternity. I felt angry and paralysed that I had to give over the ones I loved more than myself into the hands of someone who would treat them this way. And in the depths of my soul I extended that to all human beings. I had to. It DOES matter what kind of God we are expected to love. The many churches may remain in disunity. But in reality there is only one God. And all humanity is ultimately utterly dependent on Him for its destiny. Eileen "Someday we'll all be friends, at the end of time when God is ALL in ALL." | |
| DATE | Thursday, July 21st 2005 - 03:04:55 PM | |
| NAME | Leenie | |
COMMENTS |
When I was coming out of the cult experience a few years ago that dominated my life, and as I felt myself needing to find the God who was really and truly the saviour of ALL, there was one thought that kept niggling at my brain.
I was tortured to the point of suicide, because I could not resolve in myself how to love a God who would torment or annihilate my fellow human beings who got to the end without 'passing the test' by choosing God! I had "God cannot violate our 'free will'" rammed down my throat and it was making me sick and I just wanted to die! I kept thinking about my two sons. Not about them being without their mother - because at the time I was so tortured I was making life hell for my family, but I kept thinking about how much I have loved them since before they were born, how much these two lives meant to me, how precious they are, warts and all! And I kept thinking "What kind of God would I be entrusting them to if I go?" And it broke my heart. I wept and wept every time this thought overwhelmed me, because I hadn't yet found anyone who believed and taught God, the saviour of all. I was SO ANGRY, that I had to turn my children over to this God who would torment them or annihilate them forever IF THEY FAILED! It is indeed, GOD'S CHARACTER that this is all about isn't it? It is about who He is. To someone "out there" who may be being tormented in their heart and mind just as I was - that is a very important message. And there may be someone out there who needs to hear - for the first time in their life - about the true character of God, the God who doesn't give up on any of us, who wouldn't think of abandoning us to our sick and distorted 'free wills', and who will heal us of every misconception and lie that we have ever been taught and believed. Via con Dios everyone Leenie | |
| DATE | Thursday, July 21st 2005 - 12:59:45 PM | |
| NAME | JMR | |
COMMENTS |
It seems to me that those who believe so strongly in eternal torment like I used to, cling more to the letter of God's word instead of the spirit of it in order to try to support their view. And what does it bring? "Eternal death" to the majority of the human race, as well as fear and or uncertianty to those who believe it. I remember how I used to read eternal punishment, alluded to directly or indirectly, into so much of the Bible... ! And the traditions and theological bias of those who gave us many of our English translations of the Bible didn't help matters much either.
It seems like in order to see universal reconciliation in most of our English translations, especially the King James, we definitely need to look beyond, and deeper than, the letter of His word and read it with our spirit (with the help and revelation of God's Spirit) and not just with our mind and intellect, so that we can get the truth and meaning that God wants us to have. Because the Spirit gives life! And peace! by JMR | |
| DATE | Thursday, July 21st 2005 - 12:49:27 PM | |
| NAME | Ed Weak Thing | |
COMMENTS |
I was raised independent fundamental Baptist. Contrary to what some will say, The Bible has much to say in support of universal reconciliation. It is a Biblical doctrine.
The main thing that convinced me was that the victory of Jesus Christ was more powerful than the annihilationists thought. Adam's destruction is NOT more powerfull than Christ's redemption. Hell will have no victory. In time, all things will be gathered in Christ. 1 Ti 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. The ransom for ALL had been paid. No one has given me a good enough reason why God should not get all that he has paid for. Man may fail to get all that he pays for, but God will not fail. 2 Cor 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. God wants the whole creation, not just a part to be reconciled. This is the day of reconciliation. This is the day when the Church does the work of being an ambassador for the reconciling work of Christ. We say "Be ye reconcile to God"! We are fellow laborers with God in this endeavor. Well I'm tired and will quit for now. Here is a good link that has a lot of good Biblical articles on it concerning these issues. www.theshop.net/gjess/ Ed "weak thing" The Lord Jesus said, "when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men to myself." - John 12:32 | |
| DATE | Thursday, July 21st 2005 - 12:36:55 PM | |
| NAME | AJ88 | |
COMMENTS |
The darkest doctrine ever devised by men was that of an "eternal suffering" for the billions of souls that die lost without Christ. Like wolves among the sheep, carnally-minded men within the church system found it very effective to use the fear of an unending hell to control the masses that enter their religion.
Unfortunately this doctrine has remained at large in Christianity as a whole. But the Lord Jesus said, "when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men to myself." - John 12:32 From AJ88 | |
| DATE | Thursday, July 21st 2005 - 12:13:45 PM | |
| NAME | Craig D | |
COMMENTS |
The Christian acceptance of the fundamental and traditional doctrine of an everlasting hell is actually immoral, perverse, and unscriptural!
Go in peace, Craig D from Seattle | |
| DATE | Thursday, July 21st 2005 - 12:09:02 PM | |
| NAME | Jenny Valent | |
COMMENTS |
The doctrine of "eternal torment" has always caused me much trouble, and adding predestination to it caused me a lot grief in trying to reconcile the two.
My understanding of the fulness of who God is simply could no longer abide it, and I began to search out the scriptures with open eyes and a heart wanting to know the truth. The Holy Spirit has taken me on a journey through the scriptures in a most wonderful way concerning this issue, and after extensive prayer, scripture reading, and looking up passages in the original Greek and Hebrew, I have become utterly convinced in the reconciliation of all through Jesus Christ. I am including a link below to a rather lengthy, but compelling article on the beliefs of the early church. Grace and peace to you all through our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Early Christian View of the Savior - www.tentmaker.org/books/E...nView.html The Lord Jesus said, "when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men to myself." - John 12:32 | |
| DATE | Thursday, July 21st 2005 - 11:31:48 AM | |
| NAME | Jamin Dunivan | |
COMMENTS |
In October of 1998 God clued me in to who He really was. I was researching the subject of "the book of life" hoping that I might find something to make sense of the doctrine of endless suffering in hell. I was on the internet and I came to a work written by J. Preston Eby.
He talked in detail about "the book of life." He also spoke of the Greek word "aion". I was intrigued by what he was saying. The idea that scholars had been wrong before was nothing new to me so I was very open to this. I went to bed that night with a smile on my face. "Could God really save the world?", kept going through my mind. I studied it over and over. The elders at the home church reviewed it and we came to the conclusion that it was indeed true. I had joy but I was also depressed because I had built this wealth of knowledge and it all pretty much needed major tweaking (and also the fact that I have been called a cultist doesn't help either). But the Lord has been gracious in giving me understanding. And I will continue to proclaim "The REAL Good News". Years later the absurdity of it all started to set in. The "common sense" of it all. Things such as "If endless hell is true, why is Christ considered the victor when he could save only a few?" "Why would God create people strictly to burn?(Even if you believe in free will He still created them to burn in hell because He knew before He created them that they would reject)?" "He tells me to love my enemy yet He will burn them forever and ever." If your readers have had these same questions then I urge them to read J. Preston Eby's articles and go to the links page and check out other sites. I hope that they find the same peace about it that I have. Jamin Dunivan | |
| DATE | Thursday, July 21st 2005 - 11:16:21 AM | |
| NAME | Neal Norbert | |
| nealweb@telusplanet.net | ||
| URL | http://www.theshop.net/gjess/mbpowhyimaunie.htm | |
COMMENTS |
I'd read about the incredible love that God supposedly had. At the hour of my greatest pain and so close to checking myself into a psych ward I confronted God and told Him I needed an answer NOW. God took me back to the times of intense peace and love that I had felt previously. He showed me that He loved everyone as much as He loved me. He made it so absolutely clear in my heart and mind through the scriptures and His voice speaking inside me that He was not the monster that He was made out to be. He was not the two-headed out of control love/hate creature that I had been taught all of my life. The more scripture I read and studied the more God brought peace to my mind. He showed me that He will be all in all, that His love knows no end.
I understood that my earlier conversion experience was not so much the moment that I accepted Christ, but rather the joyful time when I first realized it fully. Christ had chosen me, and everyone else, long long ago. Certainly, it took a long time of relearning. When you have had a concept drilled into your head for many years it takes a long time to go back through the scriptures and realize where you have erred. But now my heart is so converted to this message of truth that there is nothing you can do to ever change my mind.........not even if I'm the last man standing. If anyone wants to email me privately my email address is nealweb@telusplanet.net God Bless, Neal Norbert | |
| DATE | Thursday, July 21st 2005 - 10:51:05 AM | |
| NAME | Anonymous | |
COMMENTS |
I went to the Lord in my agony of spirit and told Him that if there was such a place where people will eternally be tormented and tortured, than I asked Him to PLEASE TAKE ME INSTEAD OF MY BOYS. (I have 3 sons)
I cried out to Him over a period of about a week concerning this and I was as honest about this as I could ever be. I mean, I really would VERY GLADLY go to this abdominable place for eternity than see my precious, deeply loved sons go. I would take their place with NO hesitation! So, in my agony, I reached out to my trusty computer and typed in "hell." Lo and behold, it brings me to a paper entitled "Can This Be True" and other works by J. Preston Eby. Well, I couldn't believe my eyes! As I read I had to stop from time to time because of the tears and gut sobs of incredulity intermixed with surprising bursts of laughter. I kind of felt a little insane. I mean, could this really be true?! Could it be, Lord, could it be? My world had been rocked violently. It seemed as if the Lord was saying to me, "How do you think you can love your sons more than I do?" | |
| DATE | Thursday, July 21st 2005 - 10:34:48 AM | |
| NAME | Anonymous | |
COMMENTS |
After long years of torturing doubts, God had mercy on me and turned my darkness into light, my despair into joy and my misery into exultation.
He brought me into touch with His revelation, just as He had written it, apart from most of the mistranslations of well-meaning men, who were bound by creeds and tradition. Not only will He bring all of earth's inhabitants back into the sunlight of His love, but, through the blood of Christ's cross, He will reconcile all to Him, whether those on the earth or those in the heavens (Col.1:20). The present enmity toward God on the part of terrestrial and celestial creatures will, in due time, be used as a background to display His unfailing love for all fallen creatures. That is why I no longer have torturing doubts, but revel in exultant faith. Anonymous | |
| DATE | Thursday, July 21st 2005 - 10:17:41 AM | |
| NAME | Matt Johnson | |
COMMENTS |
My son Steven received the following email.
Dear Bro Steven: Thank you for the invite to your father's web page. It is indeed a wonderful work that the Lord has entrusted to your dad, and it is consistent that the revelation of the Lord's love came in the form of fear and suffering, as your dad received it. How great are His ways! How excellent is the Lord, and the secrets of the Lord are with those that fear Him. Your brother in Christ. Matt Johnson | |
| DATE | Thursday, July 21st 2005 - 10:02:44 AM | |
| NAME | Keith Johnson | |
COMMENTS |
Hello Rodger:
And thank you for your email - I am the individual listed as KCJ at tentmaker.org's chat room. I also had a brief crisis when [I'm catholic] a priest asked me to give catechism to a few adults before they could commune. I read the literature from the Vatican about God's plan to throw all non-believers, non-Catholic christians, etc. into eternal hellfire. After that I had a nervous breakdown IN mass! I politely and quietly left, and since then have become a firm Universalist in my heart. How could God send an individual to ETERNAL hell after only 80 years of earthly life? Justice? I can't fathom it. And what about God's accountability...didn't He make us? Is He then unable to remedy original sin? Of course He can - that is why Jesus said "If I be lifted up, I will draw all men to me (John 12:32)." Surely, Christ is the good shepherd and will save all men. There are too many ambitious people out there using the name of Jesus to make money and manipulate and control others by fear for their own welfare. I liked your website at http://greater-emmanuel.org/Hope4You/ Keep up the good work Rodger. Blessings, Keith Johnson | |
| DATE | Thursday, July 21st 2005 - 09:56:18 AM | |
| NAME | Matt Tuck | |
COMMENTS |
Hi there Rodger, my name is Matthew Tuck from Denver, CO.
I am a "regular" at the "Freedom in Messiah" discussion board. I saw your post today and visited your website. I checked out the Christian Counterpoint link and thought you did an excellent job at declaring the Salvation of All. I was appalled at the immaturity and arrogance of the "orthodox" group that took the opposing view. Mean spirited bunch, huh? They accused you of being a "ravenous wolf". Ironic that they are the ones that swarmed like a bunch of hungry piranha. You will know them by their fruits (not their doctrine). You in contrast, were very kind, patient and thoughtful. Good job. Strange how you become like the one you worship. If you worship a god who excludes those who don't measure up, then you are quick to cut off those who you think are wrong. That was their goal ........to cut you off. I understand, as I used to be one of "them". But as you say, it is just not their time to "see" yet. By the way, I also lost much of my sanity for many years because of the eternal torment teaching. I lived in the Christian "mainstream" for most of my adult life. In the last six months I have had my eyes opened to the true Gospel. I just wanted to introduce myself, and say that you are an encouragement. Blessings and Peace to you. Matt Tuck | |
| DATE | Thursday, July 21st 2005 - 08:19:13 AM | |
| NAME | Tony Pirog | |
| tonypirog@hotmail.com | ||
| URL | http://www.freedominmessiah.com/ | |
COMMENTS |
I used to walk around in a daze... convinced that almost every person around me was going to hell. I found that utterly horrifying - and that led to my huge breakdown. According to Mike Williams, who spent time in a mental institution, a HUGE percentage of people in those places are Christians who love Jesus with all their heart - but simply cannot reconcile the God of love with the God of eternal Hell Fire.
God bless brother! Tony Pirog | |
| DATE | Thursday, July 21st 2005 - 08:12:32 AM | |
| NAME | Keith | |
COMMENTS |
Hi brother Rodger:
I thank God you have seen this truth. I was as you were also. But for me, at 16, I saw, by God's grace and light, the absurdity and darkness of this idea of an endless hell. When God told me, and I SAW this truth in blazing wonderful glory, I leaped for joy at this most wonderful news. The good news of the Gospel! Peace and GOOD WILL to ALLLLLLL MENNN!!!!!!!! Over the years, in my walk with him, I see HIM more and more clearly and everything else is fading away. There is only light and life and truth and good things in him. There is no bad news. Only good. Keep looking for Him until that PERFECT DAY COMES AND THE DAYSTAR appears in you. Keep seeking until this mortal puts on IMMORTALITY. When we are ready then we shall transfigure. Keep the faith my friend, Keith | |
| DATE | Thursday, July 21st 2005 - 08:02:50 AM | |
| NAME | Scott | |
| ScttTst@netscape.net | ||
COMMENTS |
I believe in the restitution of all things. Everything
came out from God and everything will return to God (Acts 3:20-21). "And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began." God is a mighty God and He will not fail to save everyone. We should not end life at death when we have a Saviour who is the resurrection and the life. Scott [Rodger's note] Scott posted a very good exposition on my opinions forum in support of the Bible teaching universal salvation.] | |
| DATE | Thursday, July 21st 2005 - 07:45:38 AM | |
| NAME | Andrew Goldfinch | |
COMMENTS |
One night I was on the Internet to look for an article that I could use to help me achieve full assurance of faith. I discovered an article entitled "ABSOLUTE ASSURANCE IN JESUS CHRIST - Four Views of the Salvation of Our God" by Charles Slagle (which can be found at http://www.tentmaker.org/books/Absolute-Assurance-in-Jesus-Christ.html)
It was almost as if the article was written just for me! As I read the article, the Holy Spirit brought great conviction to me that what was written in the article was truth. Charles Slagle's article showed me the truth of the all-inclusive love of God! I became so happy! Andrew Goldfinch | |
| DATE | Thursday, July 21st 2005 - 06:38:36 AM | |
| NAME | Joanne Anstine | |
COMMENTS |
PTL and blessings to you Rodger. I had skimmed your testimony the first time that I visited your site; this time, I read it more carefully.
It is puzzling to me that there is such resistance to God's saving all of His fallen creatures. However, until He opens ears to hear and eyes to see (as He has done with each of us), then people are blind. PTL and God bless you - and thank you for sharing Rodger. The joy is in knowing that there are more and more to whom Father is revealing His glorious plan for ALL of His fallen creatures. Joanne Anstine PTL means "praise the Lord" AMEN!! | |
| DATE | Thursday, July 21st 2005 - 06:19:03 AM | |
| NAME | Paul Konevitch | |
COMMENTS |
I really enjoyed reading your sharing on Hell.
Thank you very much! I have made print-outs of your teachings to share with others? Around 1970 I found out by the Holy Spirit that there was not an endless torment in Hell as the religious system taught me. When I saw and realized His love for me and all the world I said within myself, endless hell is not consistent with what You are showing me. Then I got a "PAGE" pamphlet from George Hawtin that explained the truth, and oh how I was thankful! This was the confirmation I needed. I knew no one would believe it so I held off sharing about it for about 6 months and then I started telling everyone there is no endless torment in Hell. God bless you Rodger! Paul Konevitch | |
| DATE | Thursday, July 21st 2005 - 06:11:06 AM | |
| NAME | Gerry Watts | |
| URL | http://www.purposeoflife.org.uk | |
COMMENTS |
You have a good site Rodger. I have added you to my links page. You have a powerful testimony to God's mercy and grace, and the dangers of the 'eternal torment' doctrine!
www.purposeoflife.org.uk (copy and paste on address bar) I was under a heavy burden for many years due to the 'Hell' thing. The release was beyond words when I came into the knowledge of Universal Reconciliation - many tears were shed - tears of joy, this time. I live in Bristol, England, but I've stayed in Toronto twice now, though it was many years ago. My uncle lives there with his wife and family in Willowdale, North York. I used to be a fan of the Blue Jays (I love Baseball) but after spending some time in Seattle, I changed to the Mariners! Peace and blessing in your life and ministry. In Christ Gerry Watts | |
| DATE | Thursday, July 21st 2005 - 06:03:27 AM | |
| NAME | Brad Edwards | |
COMMENTS |
I was blessed by your testimonial at your site.
What a joy it is to know that God's love and truth are growing in our hearts...all of our hearts. This is why the truth is being known. Our hearts and minds are being renewed that we may accept the greatness of God's love and life. God spoke into my heart when I was very young telling me that "hell" was not to torture and was certainly not eternal. What joy there was when my MIND finally caught up and knew what was already known in my heart. Your brother in Christ, Brad Edwards | |
| DATE | Thursday, July 21st 2005 - 05:58:46 AM | |
| NAME | Roxine Williams | |
COMMENTS |
Let us not ignore the ongoing battle for doctrines and the exposing of the doctrines of demons. Let's quit playing church! Let all take a stand and know where they stand. Let all who want to reject in Jesus Name the very ones for whom He died (the least of these His brethren), even as Peter, let them awake when the cock crows thrice.
Praise God for His all-inclusive mercy! May the false be exposed and rebuked. May the Lord be exalted as Lord of All! For we trust in the Living God, the Saviour of ALL, specially those that believe. And we know that it is His Will that none perish but all come to saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. God works all after the counsel of His will. Eph 1:11 Jesus will draw all mankind unto Himself. John 12:32 To love, not to roast! Oh Happy Day! Roxine Williams | |
| DATE | Thursday, July 21st 2005 - 05:52:29 AM | |
| NAME | Pierrette Doyon | |
COMMENTS |
I found your website through Richard Condon's website, 'God's Truth For Today'. So glad to have been privileged and blessed to read your testimony, and your entire website. I've added it to my favourites list.
I agree that the doctrine of endless hell makes people sick with fear and depression. It wasn't until 1998 that I began hearing concordantly translated Scripture. It was, in fact, the teaching of the two evangels and the eons, which finally clued me in on all the other issues which are concordantly taught. Everything began to make wonderful sense. It's been an incredible journey into truth, and I am so amazingly in awe of our Awesome God, and I thank Him for providing those like you who are telling the world the truth about Him and His Word. I first heard it through Jeff Priddy and have been reading literature from the Concordant Publishing Concern ever since. The edification and peace which has come from hearing and believing truth is unspeakable. The truth is what has healed me. I am in constant awe. To God be the glory! Grace and Peace in Christ, Pierrette Doyon | |
| DATE | Thursday, July 21st 2005 - 05:40:46 AM | |
| NAME | Wayne | |
COMMENTS |
What shall we say about a faith born of fear?
Multiple sites dedicated to those, who before the age of reason, was lead into bondage to an unrighteous fear of God, through fear of unbelief in Biblical claims that promote self-hatred and passive ignorance. And to the atheist, whose mind is made hostile towards belief in God, because of abominable things that the wicked have said of God, yet are proclaimed by the self-called to be His spokesmen. And to the agnostics, who in being truthful with self and with God, have refused to please men by crucifying their mind to believe in superstitious mumbo-jumbo that is claimed by the self-appointed to be divinely inspired truth. Wayne | |
| DATE | Thursday, July 21st 2005 - 05:26:45 AM | |
| NAME | Kenneth Greatorex | |
| kgr8orex@rogers.com | ||
| URL | http://www.sentex.net/~kgr8orex/ | |
COMMENTS |
I have enjoyed checking your website Rodger.
It is amazing how one's view of God changes when they are set free from the HELL doctrine. How well I remember growing up under it. The evangelists sure knew how to make that one work to increase their "souls saved" account. I have also experienced the hell that it has created along with the "unpardonable sin" terror teaching. When I was about 19, I had a strange experience one night as I lay in bed before I went to sleep. Some foul language went through my mind towards the Holy Spirit. Then the next thought was, "You've commited the unpardonable sin." For days I could hardly eat or sleep because I was sure I was headed for hell. It was a terrifying experience. Finally I went and told my father who prayed a simple prayer and I was free. In time I was to learn that salvation was for all without exception, but while my spirit rejoiced, my mind rejected it. It was some years later that I came to more fully understand and accept that it was never God's plan to torture anyone in the mythical fires of hell. Thank God for His glorious plan to bring us all into His glorious image in and through Christ! Yes, Jesus is now Lord, and our life is now IN CHRIST. What a joy that is! Blessings! Kenneth Greatorex - Kitchener, Canada Light-Life & Glory http://www.sentex.net/~kgr8orex/ | |
| DATE | Thursday, July 21st 2005 - 05:19:13 AM | |
| NAME | Debbie Boutwell | |
| URL | http://www.debosblog.blogspot.com/ | |
COMMENTS |
Bless your heart Rodger for your precious attitude. I have been reading everything I can get my hands on since October in support of universal reconciliation. I went to Carlton Pearson's conference in Tulsa. My husband went also. It has made a tremendous difference in my husband's opinion of himself.
We were both brought up with the eternal torment teaching so the literature you've read in support of eternal torment won't be anything we've never heard. I believe that I was "set up" by the Holy Spirit to find this wonderful truth of universal reconciliation. I had become so grieved because most of the population, as I believed, was going to hell AND because most of the church people I knew didn't care! I have never been so relieved in my life to see my most heartfelt desires coming true before my eyes. I remember making a statement that brought about some strange looks. Once at a Bible study...I said, "I hope we are wrong on the hell thing. I hope we've mistranslated or misinterpreted it somehow". Can you imagine how I felt when I first had hope that I could have been RIGHT???? I'm either considered a heretic at my church, or just some really "big hearted" person who just can't stand to think of anyone being hurt. I think that's how my pastor described me to my friend as they discussed my ?deception.? I know what you mean about eternal torment getting you down...I was there. If it should prove to be true...I will need to go and pick out my own room in the mental hospital.......it would take some powerful drugs to numb my "big heart" . Wonder where that "big heart" came from...could it be the image of my creator???? God Bless...Debbie | |
| DATE | Thursday, July 21st 2005 - 05:11:22 AM | |
| NAME | Vince Garretto | |
| vinceg@freechristians.com | ||
COMMENTS |
A few months back I felt I desperately needed to find a Universal Reconciliation church to grow, but have since realized that where I fellowship has never been the issue. It was my view of God that mattered and still does. He has taught me to block out all the noise in my head (church politics, jargon, rules etc) until only His gentle voice it is that I hear and He is always saying I love you just as you are. Come to me and I will give you peace. I want you to be with me forever.
Kindest regards and learning with you. Vince Garretto | |
| DATE | Thursday, July 21st 2005 - 05:02:30 AM | |
| NAME | James Geiger | |
COMMENTS |
An article that Gary Amirault wrote on his Tentmaker site was the best news that I have ever read. I usually don't like to read long articles, but this time I couldn't stop. When I finished reading it I knew that the cat was out of the bag. The lid was blown off the big lie. I've never been the same since. I've been set free. I sometimes walk around talking to myself about it and to anybody else who wants to hear about it. I like talking about it. I love this gospel, that through Jesus, everybody will be reconciled to God. I was ashamed of the churches "gospel".
Thanks again for the encouragement Rodger. James Geiger | |
| DATE | Thursday, July 21st 2005 - 04:45:10 AM | |