To Hell and Back
 

I just watched a program on MSNBC that profiled Carlton Pearson and his journey to the gospel of inclusion. Carlton said that the turning point for him on his beliefs regarding hell came while watching a program on starving people who were dying. He said he asked God how could He let so many people suffer and then send them to Hell. It was at this point that he claims the Spirit spoke to him and said, "Is that what you think we're doing?" From there things snowballed into him preaching that there is no such thing hell; not the way we've been taught it anyway. Subsequently he lost everything he had worked for, including the 30 acres site where his church was located and his standing among his contemporaries. Oral Roberts and others disowned him and labeled him a heretic in the process of his "fall".

Anyway, he says that eventually a lesbian "pastor" from California invited him to come speak at her church and according to him, "They healed me." They accepted him and washed his feet.

This experience set him on his current course for a comeback, of sorts. He's been holding services on Sunday afternoons in the sanctuary of a Presbyterian church, and has managed to pack those services with his new message of inclusion. He says that either Jesus succeeded in his quest to die for all the sins of the world and there is no Hell, or He failed at what He set out to do.

I know a lot has been said about this man and this doctrine on these forums, but this is the first time I've had the chance to hear him says things for himself. I don't see how anyone could throw out so much of the Bible to give this doctrine even the most minimal amount of recognition. It's heresy, plain and simple, and a gross perversion of the Gospel. God help me to never get so far off the beaten paths of Christianity that I fall into this sort of trap.

Re: To Hell and Back
 

For most people it happens so gradually that they don't realize it until they have just crossed over the line so far and are in the desert with no well in sight. If someone who lives a life that is considered an abomination to God "healed" him, notice they "healed" him not God. How much more wrong can you be? The enemy had him before his "revelation". In my opinion.

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I couldn't help but notice how he said the Spirit referred to Himself as "We." That sent up a major red flag.

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Was this person once a oneness believer?

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Not that I know of. His background is COGIC and went to ORU (although he didn't graduate).

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It's a very sad situation to me.

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One of the things he said was that he could see how his dad's face changed when he finally convince him that his grandparents weren't in hell. His grandfather was a COGIC preacher, backslid and eventually his grandmother did too. They both died lost.

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This really shouldn't have been a surprise since he's always been a Trinitarian. The vast majority of them talk that way.

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Rico, I watched that exact program on MSNBC a short while back and it blew my mind. I was sick to my stomach by what I watched the man say and what made me even sicker was to see all of those deceived people following Him there. His congregation's growing too. Mind Boggling! :reaction

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God cannot lie, nor does He change His Word. And our enemy is clever, there but for the grace of God, go I. That should be the most frightening thing of all. Thank you Jesus for your grace and the mercy that endures forever. Amen!

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Kind funny God spoke in the plural 'we're'

BTW why didn't he ask how God could let them suffer? He said suffer and go to hell. It seems the next logical question in THAT kind of thinking would be why let them suffer at all? This is what Atheists ask all the time.

Now I don't know personally that anyone or everyone that was suffering here and now ends up in hell..it seems CP made an assumption there. But how does one go from that to EVERYONE will be saved, even Hitler?

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it is sice that carlton pearson preaches such a deception, heard from god my foot, lol,dt

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Well, people frequently change their theology to one where their unsaved loved ones arent really in hell any more. All too convenient.

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A lot of people have a hard time reconciling that the same God of Law in the OT, is the same God of Grace in the NT and the same God of Love who became flesh is the same God of Judgement.

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What a title!
My bad Rico, I thought you went on vacation! :D

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"To Hell and Back" is the title of the program I watched. Pretty clever title, huh?

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i would like to know what he was healed of at the lesbian church, good night, goodness, dt

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I went to a Casting Crowns concert this past weekend and they sing a song called 'Slow Fade.' The basic thing is that no man falls in a day, but it is a 'slow fade'.

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All the pain from being rejected by people like Oral Roberts, his mentor.

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You know what often times when someone close to you hurts you, in this case I understand OR denouncing CP, you reach out for anyone to help heal that hurt. The gay community is in the same boat. While the church and other stand and ........ them to hell they look for people to heal the hurt. It is no different for CP, I am guessing. If you find love and acceptance in a place it is tough to turn your back on it even if it goes against all you have ever known-like in this instance with CP.

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True. We all want to feel accepted and loved. Maybe if the reaction to CP's "revelation" hadn't have been so harsh there may have been a chance to bring him back from it. Now he sees himself as being more like Jesus because Jesus was also rejected by the leaders of His day. The deception seems to have snowballed.

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Cp listened to a demonic voice, and did not judge what was said by the scriptures. In that, he fell into a strong delusion and yes, a damnable heresy.

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Agreed. This does not discount the human need for acception does it? I personally would have taken his revelation and matched against scripture and concluded I was wrong and that is it. But human nature is to want love and acceptance from others. Often times it happens in the wrong person(s). Look at adultry for example. Some adultry is done based upon a person looking to feel love and accepted when sometimes they aren't getting what they need from the other spouse at home so they look elsewhere. Not a good idea, but human nature to want acceptance.

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Indeed. The man is in a horrible place spiritually.

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Agreed. The problem with being in that sort of shape is that it limits God's choices for bringing him back from finds himself. The love of God won't work because CP believes the love of God is caused Him to give Him this revelation in the first place. The fear of Hell obviously is off the table. That leaves God with the only option left in His fight to win the lost, judgement. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

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It brings to mind that verse of scripture which says...

There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the ends thereof are the ways of death. (Prov 14:12)

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I say we pray for him...

Father, deliver Carlton Pearson and reveal the truth to him. In Jesus name. Amen.

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Whaddup, Yer Aquilaness? Where ya been the last few days? I haven't seen anyone even mention the word "healthcare"! What brings you out to play? :D

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His "new found" beliefs are anything but new. They have been around for a long time. He just happened to accept them and because of his notoriety, they have come to the forefront once again.

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Maybe, but isn't he the one who coined the term "Gospel of Inclusion"?

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That may be his term, but it is better known as universalism. I have had run ins with this doctrine before.

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Don't know if he coined the term, but he certainly popularized the term.

Its the same doctrine that's been long called the doctrine of Universal Reconciliation ("UR").

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Carlton Pearson has gone beyond Christian Universalism to Unitarianism which denies the purpose for which Jesus died, for the sins of the world. Christian Universalists believe the cross of Christ is what reconciles all men to God, without which there would be no salvation.

So, I join Aquila in praying that God will reveal truth to CP, and that Christians while loving the sinner, do not embrace the practice. Rather we are to preach and teach the need to seek after God and to "live Godly in this present world."

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Been outa' town bro. Had a few meetings and an important event that I had to attend over the weekend. Now things are going to settle a bit and we'll move into the home stretch. I'll be leaving town for San Francisco on July 26th to attend a convention starting on July 28th. I'll be back on the 2nd of August.

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Crakjak is right. Universal Reconciliationists believe in a very hot and powerful Hell of torments. The Bible says....

Matthew 13:41-42
41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. (KJV)

Matthew 13:49-50
49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,
50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. (KJV)

Matthew 22:13
Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (KJV)

Matthew 24:51
And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (KJV)

Matthew 25:30
And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (KJV)

Matthew 25:46
46And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. (KJV)

Luke 3:7-9
7 Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
9 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. (KJV)

Luke 13:28
There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. (KJV)

Make no mistake...UR's believe in a very real Hell of punishment. UR's break with tradition in that they believe that in the dateless future, long into eternity, perhaps in eons beyond human comprehension, all things will be reconciled to God by the blood of Christ, and in that day God will be all...in all. They base this hope on the following Scriptures...

Matthew 5:25:-26
5:25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. 5:26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing. (KJV)

Matthew 12:42-48
12:42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? 12:43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 12:44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. 12:45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; 12:46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. 12:47 And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.12:48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. (KJV)


Matthew 18:23-34
18:23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. 18:24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. 18:25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. 18:26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 18:27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. 18:28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. 18:29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 18:30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. 18:31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 18:32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 18:33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 18:34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. (KJV)

John 12:32
And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. (KJV)

Acts 3: 20-21
And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
(KJV)

Romans 5:18
Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. (KJV)

I Corinthians 15:22
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. (KJV)

Colossians 1:16-20
1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 1:19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. (KJV)

Philippians 2: 10-11
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (KJV)

Ephesians 1: 9-11
Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: (KJV)

I John 2:2
And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world. (KJV)

Titus 2:11
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, (KJV)

Romans 11:32
For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. (KJV)

1 Timothy 4:10
We trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. (KJV)

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Carlton Pearson's book seems to indicate that "hell" is more of a state of mind than a state of divine punishment. Carlton Pearson has departed from any valid position of Christian teaching. We really need to pray for him.

As for UR....is it true? I'm not so sure. But I know this, in studying UR I've found a trust in God's righteousness that I never felt before. I feel assured that no matter what eternity holds...God will do right...

Genesis 18:25
...Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?

I've had to fall on my knees before the cross and accept that I don't have all the answers and that I'm unqualified to judge....I have to leave judgment to the Lord.

If I find that, long into the dateless eternity, God has reconciled all things unto himself...I'll not be disappointed. I cannot feel comfortable advocating FOR eternal punishment (even though I teach it and have always believed it) merely on the grounds that it is so horrendous for my mind to conceive. I don't want to see my worst enemies or the most vile of sinners spend a never ending eternity that way.

Whatever the eternal outcome will be, I'm confident that God will do what is right and just.

Re: To Hell and Back