Questions and Blog

This is a great question, and first I would like to point out, that Jesus and His disciples were in the minority at the time of their teachings.  Their teachings often challenged the dominant religious beliefs and traditions of their time. Many religious leaders rejected Jesus, misunderstood His message, and opposed His teachings. Even His own disciples struggled to understand Him fully. Jesus taught things that challenged deeply rooted assumptions about God, mercy, judgment, and who belonged in His kingdom.

Yet the fact that a belief is widely accepted does not necessarily make it true. Jesus Himself challenged the religious establishment and called people to look beyond human traditions to the heart of God (Mark 7:8).

Truth has never been determined by majority opinion. Sometimes, following Christ means having the courage to reconsider what we have always been taught and to examine Scripture with humility and an open heart.

Can we really believe Universalism is true? And why is it so hard to believe? 

We may be having to deconstruct Indoctrination. It can be incredibly powerful, especially when we have believed something for many years. Our beliefs don't simply shape what we think; they influence how we interpret Scripture, understand God, respond to opposing viewpoints, and determine what we consider truth.  

When we are taught something from childhood or repeatedly hear the same interpretation from trusted pastors, teachers, family members, and church communities, it can become deeply rooted in our minds. Eventually, we may stop questioning it altogether. It becomes the lens through which we interpret everything else. Early Christians did not all have the same interpretations, each use different methods of interpreting the bible. 

1. Literal-Historical: Examines what the text meant to its original audience, considering its historical and cultural context.

2. Allegorical: Looks for deeper spiritual meanings or symbolism beyond the literal wording.

3. Typological: Identifies people, events, or institutions in the Old Testament that foreshadow Christ or New Testament realities.

4. Moral: Focuses on ethical lessons and how Scripture should shape our conduct.

5. Literary-Contextual: Examines genre, language, structure, and surrounding passages to understand the author's intended meaning.

6. Liberationist: Reads Scripture through the experiences of the oppressed, emphasizing justice, freedom, and God's concern for the marginalized.

Why does this matter?

Different interpretive methods can lead Christians to different theological conclusions. Even when reading the same Bible, people may emphasize certain passages, interpret words differently, or understand God's character through different frameworks.

The key is to recognize our assumptions, examine the whole biblical narrative, and avoid forcing a passage to support what we already believe.

This is why encountering a new perspective can be so difficult. Even when we are presented with compelling biblical or historical evidence, our first reaction may be to resist it. We may feel afraid, defensive, or even guilty for questioning what we have always believed. Sometimes, we instinctively reject an idea before we have genuinely examined it.

Deconstruction is not simply changing our minds; it is learning to question the framework through which we have understood the world for years. That process can be uncomfortable because it challenges not only our theology but also our sense of identity, security, and belonging.

This is especially true when examining doctrines, we have been taught are unquestionable, or when we have been warned that considering another interpretation is dangerous or heretical.

But we should never be afraid of honestly seeking truth. We must be willing to examine our assumptions, consider the historical context of Scripture, listen to different interpretations, and ask whether our beliefs are grounded in the text itself or in traditions we have inherited.

We should extend grace to those who struggle with new perspectives, just as we should extend grace to ourselves. Unlearning deeply ingrained beliefs takes time, patience, humility, and courage.

The goal is not to replace one form of indoctrination with another, but to develop the freedom to examine what we believe honestly and seek truth without fear.

In Genesis, we see that Adam’s free will brought separation- death and affected all creation. But Paul tells us in Romans 5:18 (NLT) that just as Adam’s sin brought condemnation to everyone, Christ’s righteous act brings a right relationship with God and new life.

1 Corinthians 15:22 (NLT) teaches that just as everyone dies because of Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life. I believe the wider passage points toward Christ’s ultimate victory, when every enemy, including death, is defeated and God becomes all in all (1 Corinthians 15:24–28).

Throughout Scripture, we see this same hope:

* Colossians 1:20: God reconciles all things to Himself through Christ.
* 1 Timothy 2:4–6: God desires everyone to be saved, and Christ gave Himself as a ransom for all.
* Acts 3:21: Scripture speaks of the restoration of all things.
* Revelation 21:5: God declares that He is making everything new.

These passages reveal the overarching biblical story of reconciliation and restoration through Jesus Christ.

Regarding hell, I do not believe eternal torment is the final destiny of humanity. I understand God’s judgment as potentially corrective and restorative. Hebrews 2:14–15 tells us that Christ came to defeat the devil and free humanity from the fear of death. Yes, I believe the devil is real, but I believe Christ’s victory over evil will ultimately prevail.

Some Christians disagree, particularly because of passages about eternal punishment. I respect their desire to follow Scripture, but I believe we must consider those passages alongside the Bible’s promises of reconciliation, restoration, and the defeat of death. Universal restoration does not deny judgment; it asks whether God’s judgment ultimately serves His purpose of healing and restoration.

I believe some people are reconciled to God in this life, while others may come to the knowledge of the truth beyond this life. Although Scripture does not explain every detail of how this happens, I believe we have good reason to hope that no one is beyond the reach of God’s redeeming love.

The good news is that Christ’s victory is greater than Adam’s fall, God’s grace is greater than sin, and death will not have the final word. From Genesis to Revelation, I believe Scripture points us toward God’s ultimate purpose to restore all things through Jesus Christ.