"Us" and "Them"

"Us" and "Them". Or perhaps the sheep and the goats. Or maybe the lost and the saved.

But one joker once said:- "There are only two kinds of people in the world - those that divide the world into two kinds of people and those who don't"

Ha ha!

Myself, I think we must first touch base, or in other words, first we must know at the deepest and most authentic level that we are all "one", equal. Having touched based, knowing this deeply, then perhaps we can differentiate, recognise differences. This recognition will not then be judgement but will always be coloured by empathy.

Which is why from a Christian perspective the only viable theology is Universalism. All are elected. A perspective that grows by the day by many who by study and knowledge, recognise such as a widespread teaching/belief within the early Church.

But Christian or not (and I am not) to see that we are One is the heart of any genuine spirituality - while those who believe in an eternal and ultimate division of human beings into the lost and saved will totally miss the heart no matter how pious they presume themselves to be.

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wildbill83 · 41-45, M

study and knowledge is useless if not acted upon

SW-User

@wildbill83 Thanks for the comment, but what exactly is your point in the context of this thread?

wildbill83 · 41-45, M

@SW-User what is yours?

you say you're not Christian, yet presume this silly notion of "universalism". A concept that exists no where in the Bible

Which is why from a Christian perspective the only viable theology is Universalism. But Christian or not (and I am not)...

A perspective that grows by the day by many who by study and knowledge, recognize such as a widespread teaching/belief within the early Church.

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." - Matthew 7:21-23

while those who believe in an eternal and ultimate division of human beings into the lost and saved will totally miss the heart no matter how pious they presume themselves to be.

The judgement of man and/or how others perceive someones "heart" is irrelevant. His perspective is the only one that counts.

"But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7

SW-User

@wildbill83 As I said to another, I'll leave the Christians to dispute among themselves as to who is saved and how many. I am simply pointing out that many biblically based Christians are Universalists. I can recommend a few books to read if you choose to dispute this, one written by a man who has done his own translation of the New Testament (therefore he is obviously fully aware of exactly what the text may or may not mean)

Oh yes, I agree with you that in a sense the Lord knows his own.

😀

Thanks for your interest.

wildbill83 · 41-45, M

@SW-User

I can recommend a few books to read if you choose to dispute this, one written by a man who has done his own translation of the New Testament

"For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." - Revelation 22:18-19