Response to Universal Reconciliation Opposition - Part 6

This is the sixth 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 chosen) texts that he claims teachers use to prove the truth of a second probation, as Dr Arnold calls it. He concludes, "So none of these five passages that are used actually teach the doctrine of a second probation."

We have discussed Dr Arnold's evaluation of these texts in Parts 1 to 5 and have shown where he has misquoted one, isolated some from their context, and added dubious interpretation/commentary in his attempt to prove his theological position that God will not succeed in His plan to restore and bring unity to His entire creation by the end of the ages.

By carefully selecting the verses to oppose, he creates straw man arguments for his rebuttals by using peripheral verses that provide an incomplete view of the text or using verses isolated from their contexts.
This approach is common among critics who use their a priori belief that most of humanity will end up either annihilated or eternally tormented to shape their understanding of the Scriptures.

It's obvious that if you begin with such a horrible belief, you must find ways to discredit or ignore verses in the Bible which teach the complete plan of God to redeem His creation.

More importantly, this belief totally discredits the character, love and sovereignty of God.

I find it much easier, and more faithful to God and His written Word, to start with the belief that God will complete His advertised plan to save all creation and then explore how the punishment verses fit within that plan.

We also need to be aware that this discrediting approach is also used by some who translate the Scriptures from the original languages to English.
Here is one such example - one of my favourite verses.

For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
[1 Cor 15 : 22  NIV]

That is, the same all who are in Adam (all humanity) will be made alive in Christ.
Most versions translate this verse accurately, but a few change the order of the words so that it supports their view that only believers will receive the life promised.
Look at this from the New Living Translation.

Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life.
[1 Cor 15 : 22  NLT]

That is, the everyone who belong to Adam (all humanity) will be reduced to the everyone who belong to Christ (all believers) - a subtle but substantial change.
And we wonder why so many people believe that God's plan to save all creation will be defeated.

In addition, by choosing such a limited number of verses he claims teachers use to prove the truth of universal reconciliation, Dr Arnold has totally ignored the many verses that clearly demonstrate this eventuality (as well as the themes of God's love, compassion and sovereignty that weave their way through both Testaments).
Let me quote a few of those verses.

And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.
[John 12 : 32  ESV]
For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.
[1 Timothy 4 : 10  ESV]
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,
[Titus 2 : 11  ESV]
Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.
[Romans 5 : 18  ESV]
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.
Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
[Luke 6 : 35 - 36  ESV]

Let's complete this response to Dr Arnold's critique of the The Scriptures Used as might the Apostle Paul.

Oh, what a wonderful God we have! How great are his wisdom and knowledge and riches!
How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his methods!
For who among us can know the mind of the Lord?
Who knows enough to be his counselor and guide?
And who could ever offer to the Lord enough to induce him to act?
For everything comes from God alone. Everything lives by his power, and everything is for his glory.
To him be glory evermore.
[Romans 11 : 32 - 36  TLB]

This is truly God's plan - creation, redemption, restitution.
Whatever we find in Scripture must fit that plan in some way.

Blessings, Barry