Whats Wrong With This Picture?
Carlton Pearson, a pastor at a family church in Tulsa, has lost 90% of the members of his church because he has professed a belief in "universalism" - a doctrine which holds that all people will eventually be saved from hell. Buses from his church have also been banned from the campus at Oral Roberts University, where he apparently attended undergraduate school.
Say what you like about universalism. There are strong arguments against it, I know. But - as I've observed before - there are also some intriguing, scripturally based arguments in favor of it.
So, say what you like. But it really bugs me that issues like this end up causing Christians to disassociate with each other. We're all trying to be disciples of Jesus - maybe, along the way, some of us "understand" things more correctly than others. So what? Our main task is to imitate Jesus in the way we live, not agree on who will be in and out of hell.
Am I being overly simplistic? Why can't we all just get along?
Technorati Tags: carlton pearson, universalism, hell, church
Say what you like about universalism. There are strong arguments against it, I know. But - as I've observed before - there are also some intriguing, scripturally based arguments in favor of it.
So, say what you like. But it really bugs me that issues like this end up causing Christians to disassociate with each other. We're all trying to be disciples of Jesus - maybe, along the way, some of us "understand" things more correctly than others. So what? Our main task is to imitate Jesus in the way we live, not agree on who will be in and out of hell.
Am I being overly simplistic? Why can't we all just get along?
Technorati Tags: carlton pearson, universalism, hell, church
posted by Matt at Friday, February 10, 2006
2 Comments:
Matt, I've toured that church. It was once a great example of multi ethnicity and explosive growth. I believe that the real reason the church has tanked (started in decline 8 years ago) is that Mr. Pearson became blood thirsty for power. He switched from suits to robes and then dawned a big ol pope hat and demanded to be called Bishop, etc.
Interesting article on him: http://www.letusreason.org/Curren35.htm
But I agree, lets leave the judging to God.
Joel-
I'm kind-of disappointed that the CT article didn't give more details along those lines. From reading it, you would think the only thing going on was that people were angry about his stance on universalism.
I think the pope hat would have turned me off a little, too. [G]
Still - I think an argument can be made that people are avoiding the REAL issues by focusing on doctrinal issues instead of what is really happening. Maybe, in some ways, its easier to brand someone a doctrinal heretic and dismiss them on that basis than it is to engage them in quiet dialog and talk about how they need to get their power-lust under control.
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