Universalism - Part 2

I'm attending Monday evening mass and I hear the priest say during the mass, "on the cross, Christ makes by his one oblation of himself once offered, a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction, for the sins of the whole world..." After thinking about universalism in yesterday's post, I pondered how is it that Christ died for the sins of the whole world and yet not everyone is or will be saved?

The Book of Common Prayer has in mind 1 John 2:2: "Jesus Christ is the propitiation for our sins, and not only for ours, but for those also of all the world" (cosmos, in Greek).

This verse and a few others like it cause some Reformed Christians to say they are "four point Calvinists," disavowing the Synod of Dordt's confession of "limited atonement," the "L" in TULIP. Limited atonement is not as simple as it sounds, kind of like "economic stimulus." It carries a lot of baggage and implications, confusing many and not doing justice to the theology it represents.

At one level, within the New Testament context, the "world" is contrasted with "the Jews," as I wrote about yesterday. Jesus suffers and dies for the world, not just one nation or people (as in the old covenant).

Speaking cosmologically, Jesus dies for the sins of the entire world so that he may lay claim to the creation at his second advent. He means to redeem all creation from Satan's death-grip, not just a group of like-minded, moral purists.

The cross of Jesus has a saving effect for believers (1 Timothy 4:10), but his sacrifice does benefit the entire world, even for those who reject Christ. The fact that Jesus atones specifically for the sins of the elect buys time for the rest of the world, holding off the judgment and destruction that will inevitably come. Theologians call this "common grace," the gift of God to all humanity who enjoy life under the temporary reprieve provided by the proclamation of the Gospel to the whole world in obedience to Christ. God does love the world enough to send His only Son that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life, and those who don't believe still live under the providence of his sunshine, rain, and the predictability of the universe.

God did not provide a propitiation for the angels. When they sinned, they were cast out of heaven immediately. (Which answers the question, Can Satan repent and be saved? The answer is no -- there is no provision in the cross for angels, only human beings.) But sinners enjoy life, beauty, family love, the taste of fine wine, prosperity and so much more in spite of their faithlessness. Jesus delays his return because God truly loves the world (John 3:16), and especially those who by grace are being saved.

When Jesus invited all those who labor and are burdened down to come to him for rest (Mt. 11:28), only some respond. But His refreshment is good news for everyone, but especially sweet to those who by the Holy Spirit come to realize their plight outside of Christ and are enabled by the gift of faith to respond to the call of Jesus to find their rest in Him.

John 12:32 and Universalism

Yesterday, the fifth Sunday of Lent, the lessons included a passage that has given me some pause over the years. Here's my literal translation of what Jesus says, "And I, if I am lifted up from (or, out of) the earth, will draw all to myself."

Many point to this text as indicating universal salvation: that is, if there is a hell, it's only temporary. Everybody makes it to heaven eventually. Whee!

The text is a bigger problem for Reformed Anglicans (and some orthodox Presbyterians) like myself who believe the Scriptures teach a limited atonement; that is, that Christ did not die for the sins of everybody (universalism), but to redeem those God has chosen to receive Christ (the elect). Our own orthodox Rector in yesterday's sermon indicated the text means "universal opportunity."

Most commercial translations confuse the issue (or rather, intentionally fuzz the issue in order to sell more Bibles to both Calvinists and non-Calvinists) by adding the word "men" to the phrase, "...I will draw all men to myself." But the word men (anthropos) is not in the original text. What does "all" refer to?

It's critical to study the context of Jesus' sayings. This story begins in verse 20: "Now there were some Greeks among those who went up (to Jerusalem) to worship at the Feast." These Greeks tell the disciples they would like to see Jesus. When the disciples tell Jesus that Gentiles wish to see him, it triggers the awareness in Christ that his passion has now begun. "The hour has come," Jesus responds, "that the Son of Man be glorified." Jesus goes on to teach the apostles about the necessity of his death and, like the kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies to produce many new seeds, so will be the nature of his glory.

So, when Jesus speaks about his being lifted up, the immediate context seems to support the translation "out of the earth," an obvious reference to his death and resurrection being like the dying seed that produces more seeds. But John inserts an author's note to tell us Jesus is speaking of his crucifixion; that is, being lifted up from the earth.

Given the context, the "all" that Jesus says he will draw to Himself are not people, but races of people; specifically Jews and Gentiles. If he really meant all human beings, Jesus was clearly wrong because all people have not been drawn to Him and the clear teaching of Scripture is that not all people will escape hell and the second death. But the truth of the crucifixion is that Jesus does provide the atoning sacrifice not only for Jews, but for Gentiles as well. As the Apostle Paul puts it, Jesus "reconciles both (Jew and Gentile) through the cross" (Ephesians 2:11-18).

So, should we focus on the bad news that not everyone is going to be saved? Do we complain that God is unfair and tyrannical, that he plays favorites? Should we create a new Gospel because the old one doesn't quite fit our democratic ideals? Wasn't this the Tempter's trick from the beginning? God is unreasonable. Why can't I have it all? My preacher got it right yesterday when he said, "Salvation is only on God's terms, not the terms we might wish to renegotiate." Jesus opens the only escape hatch from sin and faithlessness to those whom he calls, not because they are special, not because they are favorites, but because they are the ones who are listening and precisely because they know they can't do anything for their soul but lament it's sunken condition apart from grace.

Wind and Leaden Skies

I copied this photo from the local newspaper. It's been a wild and windy couple of days up here on the hill. The skies have had this gray flannel look. But the bluebonnets are beginning to appear and for Texans, that's a wonderful sign of spring.

Crockett's Bounty

I've always been a history buff and whenever I move to a new place I like to scrounge around for historical names and places to see what I can learn. I even joined the Granbury Historical and Geneological Society last week. Well, lately I've been trying to figure out where Davy' Crockett's widow lived. I knew it was somewhere on this end of town. After a lot of research I discovered this historical marker on the site (although I drove past it the first time). Every soldier in the Republic of Texas was given land in exchange for their service. Davy Crockett was no exception. Although she waited 17 years before coming here, Elizabeth (Patton) Crockett and her family built two log cabins on the site and this is where she died in 1860.


It's called Crockett's Bounty and before oil and gas rigs were driving down this road, Davy Crockett's family were eaking out a life in the prairie wilderness about 8 miles from Granbury. Since then, the town has become a favorite place for folks to come and retire.

I suppose I could call our place Mead's Bounty as our land was once part of a grant given to a man named George Mead. I've been researching into his life without much success. This week I did find his name listed in the Republic of Texas census of 1840. He lived in Sabine county, to the east on the Louisianna border. I don't think he ever lived in Granbury because I can't find anything on him so far on our county historical records. But the search continues.

Name Trains

So Julie gets this idea for a gift for our new grandson, Erik, who is due to make his grand life-entry in late May. She goes into the store and comes out with this cute little Name Train thingee.
She sets it up and notices that the "E" is really an "F". Good luck, Frik!

St. Patrick's Day

Like most Christian holy days, St. Patrick's Day has been secularized into a celebration of all things Irish, leaving behind the truth of the matter: Patrick was a missionary who brought the Gospel to Ireland in the 5th century.

He was a Roman-born Britain who was taken as a slave to Ireland when he was 16. After six years he escaped and was returned to his family.

Instead of nursing an abiding hatred of the Irish, God gave him a desire to evangelize his former captors with the good news of forgiveness in Jesus Christ.

Instead of green beer, today might best be celebrated by remembering all Christian missionaries and praying for their safety and continuing faithfulness to the call of Christ.

Spring Blooms

When we left for Virginia last weekend, the ground was brown and there was little color anywhere.


With three days of rain while we were gone, look what we found on our return.


Even the roses were popping. Thank you, Lord, for the beauty of spring.

A Day in Historic Lexington

The Lee Chapel is on the campus of Washington & Lee University.


Robert E. Lee is buried inside, but not in this casket. This is a sculpture of Lee sleeping. He's actually buried in the family crypt beneath the chapel.



Lexington is also the home of Stonewall Jackson where he taught at VMI before becoming the great Civil War general. He is buried here.

Outside the front entrance of VMI are four civil war canons Jackson called Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The other big shots in this picture are Julie, Caroline, David, and Marc.

With Caroline in Virginia

We're having a great time being grandparents this week to Caroline. We are playing puppets and reading stories.



We went on a day trip yesterday to the Blue Ridge Mountains and stopped on top of a mountain.

Marc and Amy are really enjoying the beauty of central Virginia.


So are we.

New Window

If you ever want to build a home in Granbury, I can recommend that Will Stead Homes are the absolute finest people to work with you will ever find. They built our home and have been quick to respond to anything we've asked, even a year and a half after being built.

We had a window in our bedroom leaking moisture.



Will Stead contacted the people who installed the windows and had them replace the cloudy pane with a new one.



Thankfully the temperature was in the 60's and the wind was blowing from the opposite side of the house.

25 Random Things about Ollie

1. My full name is Olympia Barkolona (because I was adopted at a garage sale raising money for Amy's youth orchestra to play at the Barcelona Olympics).
2. My mother was an American Eskimo (like Tris and Izzy) and my father was a cocker spaniel.
3. I am a beggar of treats.
4. I used to sleep in Dave and Julie's bed until they bought one too high for me to jump up on.
5. I nearly died two years ago. That's when they brought home the Corgi. Gee, thanks, guys.
6. I used to love to chase balls in the backyard at Cedar Hill.
7. I hate riding in cars. I become panic stricken, shaking and crying.
8. I hated going to veterinarian Chris Rose, but I don't mind Purfect Paws Pet Resort here in Granbury.
9. When I had my first visit to the vet as a puppy, Dave wasn't sure if I was a boy or girl. Duh!
10. I am on a special diet that controls my protein intake to protect my kidneys.
11. I can't control my toilet habits as well as I used to, but I refuse to wear a diaper.
12. Although Mom and Amy brought me home from the garage sale, I am considered Dad's dog because I stayed on his approval.
13. Mom never cleans up after my messes. Congratulations, Daddy Dave!
14. I still enjoy a walk, but I can't keep up with the wiggle-bottom Corgi.
15. I am almost deaf, although I can still hear if people whistle loudly or clap their hands.
16. I weight 22 pounds, which is what I've weighed most of my adult life. I'm not a fatso like the Corgi.
17. I have cataracts and see only very hazily. I can distinguish light and darkness but that's about it. I can still smell a treat from across the house.
18. I have never been crate trained and I ain't startin' now.
19. I have always cleaned myself like a cat.
20. In human years I would be 119 years old.
21. I still have all my teeth.
22. Veterinarian Rose "prophesied" that I could live to be 20. Oh my!
23. Mom has used my name as a password for her work computer.
24. I still eat and drink out of the same bowls I had when I was first adopted. At my age you appreciate antiques.
25. My favorite treats are Greenies -- and do I ever need them. My bad breath can peel paint.

If You Had Only One Day to Live

When I told my Dad that we planted three trees in our front yard, he told me the story of an old friend of the family who was asked once, "What would you do if you only had a day to live?" His response, "I'd plant a tree."


We planted two live oak trees on the south side of the driveway and this one on the north side.


The landscaper had to rig up these bubblers to the sprinkler system -- one for each tree.


"Blessed is the one whose ... delight is in the law of the Lord ... He is like a tree planted by streams of water (do sprinklers count?) which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers." (Psalm 1) Not a bad day's work.

The Big Six-O

February 23 and Julie hit the big Six-O. She set a beautiful table for a birthday party for a number of our friends who have February and March birthdays. She was especially proud of the centerpiece.


"Do I look sixty?"

What I'm Reading

Just finished Malcolm Gladwell's book, Outliers. I highly recommend it. It's an entirely different look at what truly makes for success in people. Turns out high achievers aren't that inherently different from you or me except for the opportunities they received from others. Behind the story is the hand of Providence, although Gladwell doesn't go there in the book. But there's no other explanation for the miraculous timing of "circumstances" that truly enable the wonder kids to emerge and blossom.