It's been a long time since publishing Part 14 as I was getting tired of writing from a critical perspective rather than continuing to explore the wonder and extravagance of God's love, mercy and provision for his entire creation.
However, I must complete this assignment as I plan to use this series of posts as the source material for an appendix to a second edition of "The Really Good News About God" in the next year or two.
This is the fifteenth (and final) 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 fifth of which is e. The Contradiction to Scripture. (see a previous post "Opposition to Universal Reconciliation" here)
Under the e. The Contradiction to Scripture heading Dr Arnold states that the fifth argument is that any form of universalism is directly contrary to Scripture and cites Matthew 25 : 46, John 5 : 29 and Revelation 22 : 11 - 15 to illustrate his assertion.
I find it interesting that anyone should say that the plan of the God of love and mercy to reconcile the world to Himself could be directly contrary to Scripture, when Scripture so clearly says things like:
(God our Savior,) who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
[1 Timothy 2 : 4 NIV]
That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.
[1 Timothy 4 : 10 NIV]
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
[Colossians 1 : 19 - 20 NIV]
So whatever is cited to make "the contradiction" point will almost certainly be not relevant to the topic, wrongly translated or wrongly interpreted. Let's look at Dr Arnold's verses.
Firstly, Matthew 25 : 46
"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." [NIV]
I have mentioned this verse and the whole teaching of Jesus that includes it (Matthew 25 : 31 - 46) in several previous posts and devoted an entire post to it here in 2013.
In brief, this verse does not contradict the universal reconciliation verses as it addresses the judgement of nations prior to the establishment of the Christ's Messianic kingdom (the Millennium) - not individuals at a "last chance" final judgement.
Secondly, John 5 : 28 - 29
Don’t marvel at this, for the hour comes, in which all that are in the tombs will hear his voice, and will come out; those who have done good, to the resurrection of life; and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment. [WEB]
As we have stated many times during this mini series, and most recently in Part 14, judgement is not the end of the road for anyone. It is a step on the way to "rehabilitation" and subsequent reconciliation to God.
Thirdly, Revelation 20 : 11 - 15
The most relevant verse in Dr Arnold's position is verse 15.
If anyone was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire. [WEB]
The lake of fire has been discussed in several previous posts and an introduction to the topic was here in 2010.
Malachi Chapter 3 describes God as being like a refiner's fire and launderer's soap used for refining and purifying, and Paul has a similar description in 1 Corinthians 3 : 10 - 15.
In brief, and to be consistent with God reconciling all mankind to Himself, I see the lake of fire (actually fire and brimstone/sulphur) as a picture of the cleansing and purifying process God uses to prepare everyone for eternity.
Dr Arnold's "contradictory verses", if relevant to the universal reconciliation discussion at all, can be seen as complementary to God's ongoing process of "reconciling to himself all things", rather than negating it.
Blessings, Barry
