A reader of Brian McLaren’s blog asked him a question about Karl Barth and universal salvation and election. Here is the bottom paragraph of McLaren’s response. Please note the link on the bottom of the page for his full response. Second, Brian McLaren has a new book coming out and it seems like most every post he has lately points you to amazon.com to purchase the book. Brian McLaren wrote:
It’s hard for me to answer questions about universal salvation because I want to be sure we properly define salvation before we apply the word “universal” to it. For many people, salvation means being saved from a vengeful God who is planning to destroy or eternally torture us. For others, salvation means being saved by a compassionate God from sin and evil. Until we determine which kind of salvation we’re talking about, and which kind of God we’re talking about, it’s hard to even discuss the universality of salvation. This will be a major theme of my upcoming book, A New Kind of Christianity. If you’ve been reading Barth, you’ll find my book an easy read!
So what is salvation? Is a person in danger of the wrath of God? The Apostle John wrote:
John 3:17-18 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (18) He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Seems pretty straightforward, if a person is not a born again believer in Jesus Christ they are condemned. In fact, each of us is born under condemnation because of the disobedience of Adam.
Romans 5:18-19 Therefore as by the offense of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. (19) For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
Because of Adam, judgment and condemnation came upon ALL men. Because of Adam’s disobedience, we became sinners. But because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, all can come to Him for salvation.
Romans 10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Is the wrath of God going to happen to those that do not know Jesus Christ as their Saviour? Yes, it will. If you are standing on a railroad track and there is a train coming directly at you, at full steam, you are not going to make it go away by simply ignoring it or saying it is not there. That train will still hit you. Likewise, God’s wrath is coming, whether you believe it or not.
Colossians 3:6-7 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: (7) In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
Who are the children of disobedience? Those that have rejected Jesus Christ. Those that have not looked to Him for salvation. Can all people be saved? Yes, Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection was sufficient for all, but it is only efficient for those that have repented of their sin and trusted in Him. We are saved by a compassionate God from His wrath when we turn to Jesus Christ and turn away from the world. Sadly, not everyone will come to know Christ.
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