Universalism, Calvinism, and Arminianism:

Some preliminary reflections.
By Tom Talbott (homepage)
Professor, Department of Philosophy
Willamette University

When I first began interpreting the New Testament along universalist lines, I was struck by how many regarded such an interpretation as not only mistaken, but utterly unreasonable and heretical as well. I found that a good many of my Calvinist friends, who did not regard Arminianism as heretical (only mistaken), and a good many of my Arminian friends, who did not regard Calvinism as heretical (only mistaken), were united in their conviction that universalism is both mistaken and heretical. This curious response started me thinking. Why should Calvinists regard universalism as any more heretical than Arminianism?--and why should Arminians regard it as any more heretical than Calvinism?

As I reflected upon these questions, I also began to reflect upon the following inconsistent set of propositions:

(1) It is God's redemptive purpose for the world (and therefore his will) to reconcile all sinners to himself;

(2) It is within God's power to achieve his redemptive purpose for the world;

(3) Some sinners will never be reconciled to God, and God will therefore either consign them to a place of eternal punishment, from which there will be no hope of escape, or put them out of existence altogether.

If this is indeed an inconsistent set of propositions, as I believe it is, then at least one of the propositions is false. Calvinists reject proposition (1); Arminians reject proposition (2); and universalists reject proposition (3). But in fact we can also find *prima facie* support in the Bible for each of the three propositions. So one day I sat down and, setting aside disputes over translation and sophisticated theological arguments, began to review the obvious.

In support of proposition (1), one might cite such texts as II Peter 3:9: "The Lord . . . is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance"; I Timothy 2:4: God "desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth"; Romans 11:32: "For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that he may be merciful to all"; and Ezekiel 33:11: "As I live, says the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn away from his way and live . . .." All of these texts seem to suggest that God sincerely wants to achieve the reconciliation of all sinners, and that his failure to achieve this end would therefore be, in some important sense, a tragic defeat of one of his purposes.

Similarly, in support of proposition (2), one might cite such texts as Ephesians 1:11: God "accomplishes all things according to the counsel of his own will"; Job 42:2: "I know that thou canst do all things, and that no purpose of thine can be thwarted"; Psalm 115:3: "Our God is in the heavens; he does whatever he pleases"; and Isaiah 46:10b & 11b: "My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose . . . I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it." These texts seem to imply that God is able to accomplish all of his purposes--including, therefore, all of his redemptive purposes. And in addition to these texts, a number of others seem to imply that God has both the will and the power to bring all things into subjection to Christ (I Corinthians 15:27-28), to reconcile all things in Christ (Colossians 1:20), and to bring acquittal and life to all persons through Christ (Romans 5:18).

But finally, in support of proposition (3), one might also cite such texts as Matthew 25:46: "And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life"; II Thessalonians 1:9: "They shall suffer the punishment of eternal destruction and exclusion from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might . . ."; and Ephesians 5:5: "Be sure of this, that no immoral or impure man, or one who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God." These texts may seem to imply that at least some persons will be lost forever and thus never be reconciled to God.

After a quick review of these texts in my own mind, one point struck me as altogether obvious:

Anyone who takes a position with respect to our three propositions--whether the person be a Calvinist, an Arminian, or a universalist--will end up denying a proposition for which there is at least some prima facie biblical support. And in that respect universalism is no different from either Calvinism or Arminianism. So I found myself, at this point, wanting to put several questions to those who would simply dismiss universalism as heretical: If it is not heretical for the Arminians to believe that God, being unlimited in love, at least wills (or sincerely desires) the salvation of all (proposition (1)), why should it be heretical for the universalists to believe this as well?--and if it is not heretical for the Calvinists to believe that God, being almighty, will in the end accomplish all of his redemptive purposes (proposition (2)), why should it be heretical for the universalists to believe this as well? And finally, if it is not heretical to accept proposition (1), as the Arminians do, and not heretical to accept proposition (2), as the Calvinists do, why should it be heretical to accept both (1) and (2)?

Now as a matter of logic, there is a possible answer to this last question. If the biblical warrant for proposition (3), or a doctrine of everlasting separation, were overwhelmingly greater than that for the other two propositions, then one might conclude that only (3) could not reasonably be rejected. But nothing like that seems to be true at all, and here, at least, is how I see the matter. The biblical warrant for proposition (1), that God wills the salvation of all, is simply overwhelming--so overwhelming that those who worry about heresy, as I do not, ought to regard Calvinism, not universalism, as heretical. The biblical warrant for proposition (2), that almighty God will eventually accomplish all of his redemptive purposes, is likewise exceedingly strong, as the Calvinists have always insisted. And proposition (3) is the weakest of the three. For only (3) seems to rest upon controversial *translations* as well as controversial interpretations; and whereas (1) and (2) seem to rest upon systematic teachings in Paul, the texts cited on behalf of (3) are typically lifted from contexts of parable, hyperbole, and great symbolism.
Others will no doubt assess matters differently. But to those who claim, as many do, that everlasting punishment is clearly and unmistakably taught in the New Testament, I would put this question: Which of our other two propositions would you then reject? Would you deny that God wills (or sincerely desires) the salvation of all human beings?--or would you deny that he has the power to accomplish his will in this matter? And finally, why do you believe that the biblical warrant for proposition (3) is stronger than that for propositions (1) and (2)? It is not enough, in other words, merely to cite the standard proof-texts in support of (3). For if (3) is true, then either (1) or (2) is false. To provide a full biblical defense for a doctrine of everlasting punishment, therefore, one must show that the biblical warrant for (3) is stronger than that for (1) or stronger than that for (2)--a daunting task indeed! And I know of no one who has even tried to build any such comparative case as that. So why do so many regard it as heretical to reject a doctrine of everlasting punishment, but not heretical to limit God's love or to limit his power? Which view does more, in the end, to undermine the glory and the majesty of God?

2Co 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them;…

Break it down. All things, de panta, everything is of God. He made everything.
He has reconciled us. Past tense. That would be those who now believe. By Jesus Christ. It is only by Jesus life, death and resurrection that we have been reconciled by God through Jesus.

He has given to us, believers, the ministry, or service, or task of reconciliation. We are to carry the good news of the reconciliation that Jesus has accomplished and extended to the world.

God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself. Nothing is impossible with God and if God sets out to do anything, it will be accomplished in perfect completeness and absolute perfection. God is not like a man, that He should fail at any task He sets Himself to.

Not imputing… impute verb1. to attribute or ascribe (something dishonest or dishonourable, esp a criminal offence) to a person.

Not attributing or ascribing their trespasses unto them.

We get to share the great news of the reconciliation God has provided in Jesus to the world. There is a way to have all your trespasses overlooked, and to be reconciled … reconcile - 1. To reestablish a close relationship between.

I dare say none of us even remembers having a close relationship, but that doesn’t mean God doesn’t remember.

Ps 139:15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand…

Now, it is His desire and plan to reconcile with each one of us. Every human being is his very own child, though we have all gone astray, and taken up residence in any variety of families, He has done the legal work for us to return to Him fully forgiven, fully cleansed, and fully restored. You can return now, or you can stay in your prodigal pig pen for now and return later. The legal work has been accomplished. Why wait? He is calling you home.

Mt 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Joh 7:37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.

Re 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

The Love of God

Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters... Is 55:1

For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Ro 5:6

Without the love of God, a heart is an empty place.  In the knock-about of life, people try to fill the emptiness with replacements.  Those who don't respect themselves, demand respect.  Those without courage, create fear in others to compensate.  And those without love, work hard to impress or accomplish or even create fantasy worlds where they are deserving of love. 

It is difficult for any of these precious people to experience the love of God.  I know.  I am one of them.  Once we travel down the path of embracing falsehood--it is tricky, if not impossible, to return to the beginning where there is nothing.  I can not love myself at that place and I will not let another do so.  However, this is the place--the thirsty place, if you will--that God begins His work in us.

This "helpless," "thirsty" place is where the love of God meets us.  He is the initiator--we can trust Him to begin this relationship.  We can respond.  Consider the following encouraging truths from I John:

3:16 We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us...and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
4:10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
4:19 We love, because He first loved us.

When we hold on to our false credentials, our fake works, our superior human standing, we enable the enemy to rob us (steal, kill and destroy).  Jesus has come to give us life...if we make room.

3:14 ...He who does not love abides in death.

2:28 Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.

Stay thirsty my friends!

For Him!

For by Him (Jesus!) all things were created, both in the heavens and on the earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him. Col 1:16

Every ruler, every person, every tree--all for Him!  Jesus did not create anything or anyone for any other but Himself.  Then it should be no surprise to us that it is his pleasure "...to reconcile all things to himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say whether things on earth or things in heaven." (Col 1:19-20). 

But there will be a season when some "things" are not "reconciled" to Jesus. 

Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.  For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience... (Col 3:5-6)

For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality. (Col 3:25)

Tradition has often held that these consequences will be eternal in nature.  Yet this ignores the surety of God's clearly stated purpose that "all things" were created for Him and will be reconciled to Him!  Yes, we should fear the consequences of our disobedience, yet rejoice that He has made us for Himself and will draw all men to himself!

And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.
John 12:32

Every Knee Will Bow...

...Every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  Phil 2:10-11

In my youth and not too distant adulthood, I understood this verse to be referring to believers willingly bowing before Jesus and unbelievers, though heading to hell, unwillingly, yet being compelled, bowing as well.  All will bow--whether they belong to Jesus or not.

It was with great interest that I looked on this passage a few years ago, when I began to see that God planned to save everyone.  Every knee will bow willingly!  Well, of course, this is my opinion based on my own understanding of scripture. 

Now, I have often used this passage to debate those who do not believe in the deity of Christ.  Why would everyone bow to a created being?  Even more powerful is the Old Testament source.  In Isaiah 45:20-25 God is clearly speaking of Himself:

Gather yourselves and come; draw near together, you fugitives of the nations; they have no knowledge, who carry about their wooden idol and pray to a god who cannot save.  Declare and set forth your case; Indeed, let them consult together.  Who has announced this from of old?  Who has long since declared it?  Is it not I, the Lord?  And there is no other God besides Me, A righteous God and a Savior; There is none except Me.  Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; For I am God, and there is no other.  I have sworn by Myself, the word has gone forth from My mouth in righteousness and will not turn back, that to Me every knee will bow, every tongue will swear allegiance. They will say of Me, only in the Lord are righteousness and strength.  Men will come to Him, and all who were angry at Him will be put to shame.  In the Lord all the offspring of Israel will be justified and will glory.

Clearly in this passage, God is speaking to, among others, idolaters, those angry at God and "all the ends of the earth."  Note that they will swear allegiance...they will belong to Him.  Note also that "all the offspring of Israel will be justified."  This inclusion flies in the face of the traditional doctrine that only a few will be saved.  Perhaps you will say to me, as some of my Jehovah's Witness friends did, that this passage is just poetic, not intending to establish the authority of Jesus as God--and certainly not intending to proclaim the salvation of all men.  Is this then just a momentary swearing of allegiance then off to eternal torment you go?  Is this justification of Israel only the remnant not literally "all the offspring"?

Hear the command of the Lord "Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; For I am God, and there is no other."  I think He's going to have things His way!