Israel Folau Media Furore

Just over a year ago, I posted a comment here regarding the Israel Folau controversy that Rugby Australia and the general public are wrestling with.
However, the heat has been turned up recently, so I have made my comments more public through mainstream and social media.

Below is a sample of what has been sent to Facebook, The Australian and a SkyNews evening host, based on last year's post.

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Could I please add to the discussion by addressing Israel's situation from a Biblical point of view?
He has caused quite a stir in saying God's plan for gays (and others) is that they will go to hell "unless they repent of their sins and turn to God".
The Bible verses Israel usually quotes to support his opinion only describe those who will not be in the Kingdom of God - hell is not mentioned.
Verses like 1 Corinthians 6 : 9 - 10

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

So all the Bible (and Israel) are really saying is that there are some people who will not inherit (be present in) the kingdom of God - which is true.

The kingdom of God is the rule of God in the heavens and on earth during the coming ages and is a joint venture administered by Christ and his chosen followers.
Clearly only those reconciled to Christ will be comfortable being co-workers with Christ in this enterprise - those who have been called by God "to repent of their sins and turn to God", using Israel's simple description.

However, the co-workers with Christ in the kingdom are just the "first-fruits' of the eventual harvest.
Beyond those kingdom ages, when we progress into the eternal realm, all of God's creation will be in unity and harmony with God.
Yes, there will be eventual universal reconciliation as a result of what Jesus did on the cross for all of us.

In all his wisdom and insight God did what he had purposed, and made known to us the secret plan he had already decided to complete by means of Christ. This plan, which God will complete when the time is right, is to bring all creation together, everything in heaven and on earth, with Christ as head. [Ephesians 1 : 8 - 10 GNB]

So Israel is "almost" correct. Those sinners not reconciled to God will miss the kingdom of God era: however everyone (all sinners) will be reconciled to God in the eternal realm after the ages have been completed, just as Jesus promised.

"When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to me." [Jesus quoted in John 12 : 32 GNB]

because

Christ himself is the means by which our sins are forgiven, and not our sins only, but also the sins of everyone. [1 John 2 : 2 GNB]

God our Saviour ... wants everyone to be saved and to come to know the truth. For there is one God, and there is one who brings God and mankind together, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself to redeem all mankind. That was the proof at the right time that God wants everyone to be saved ... [1 Timothy 2 : 3 - 6 GNB]

Both parts of the story are needed to show God's love and plan for his entire creation.
All is therefore not lost for those Israel listed in his tweet.

I hope this additional information might help people see the loving side of the position Israel was trying to put.

(Before signing off, let me congratulate Israel for standing up strongly for what he believes.
So few Christians seem to be brave enough to do this, especially if they are being attacked in the public arena and their livelihood depends on their public acceptance.
So well done Israel. I sincerely wish there were more Christians like you.)

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Blessings, Barry Tattersall