Response to Universal Reconciliation Opposition - Part 4

This is the fourth in a mini-series of posts responding to the arguments offered by Dr Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum (Dr Arnold) against God's plan to eventually reconcile and save all His creation.

His arguments against Universal Reconciliation (UR) are offered under five headings, the first of which is a. The Scriptures Used. (see a previous post "Opposition to Universal Reconciliation" here)

Under the a. The Scriptures Used heading Dr Arnold quotes five (carefully selected) texts that he claims teachers use to prove the truth of a second probation, as Dr Arnold calls it.

He says, Basically they point to five passages of Scripture ...  The fourth passage is Philippians 2 : 9 - 10 which teaches that every knee [shall] bow.

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
[Philippians 2 : 9 - 10  NIV]

Dr Arnold's objection is that but again this passage only shows the subjection of all to God; it does not mean the salvation of all. Even unbelievers will some day be in subjection to Him.

As in Part 2, Dr Arnold cites verses isolated from their context, effectively constructing a straw man rebuttal. He has so carefully selected these two verses that he ignores verse 11 which just happens to torpedo his criticism.

and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
[Philippians 2 : 11  NIV]

Dr Arnold pleads that *the subjection of all to God* does not infer salvation of those all, and I agree, in isolation, that might be so.
The possibility of forced subjection, which Dr Arnold infers, with participants compliant on the outside but rebellious on the inside, is unlikely in a situation that is deemed to bring glory to God.
More likely this subjection is the result of God's work in the hearts of all who are bowing the knee and acknowledging the lordship of Jesus, as it has been with us.

In support of this, it is worth remembering that the Bible teaches that it is not possible to acknowledge the lordship of Jesus without the personal ministry of the Holy Spirit.

no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.
[1 Corinthians 12 : 3  NIV]

This great worship event, which was also foreseen by Isaiah (chapter 45), alludes to God being "all in all" [NIV] or "everything to everyone" [CEV] in our previous 1 Corinthians 15 : 28 reference cited in Part 2.

It is important to keep God's big picture in view when considering small text snippets to ensure our small-scale thinking remains consistent with it.

And because God is the source and sustainer of everything, everything finds fulfillment in him. May all praise and honor be given to him forever! Amen!
[Romans 11 : 36  TPT]

Blessings, Barry