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Originally Posted by rrford
I do see what you are attempting to communicate.
But can you explain why a lving God "drove" Adam out of the Garden? Why God allowed Achan to be stoned? Why He destroyed the earth by flood? Why He destroyed Sodm and Gomorrah by fire and brimstone?
One should bever confuse the love of God for humanity for unrestricted mercy. He is not willing that any should perish, but some will.
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I agree, but I disagree that to perish is what tradition has taught that it is. Many are perishing (to waste) all around us, as the examples you present. I believe each of these examples exemplify God at work to eventually bring about the reconciliation of all things. Our physical lives are a thumbnail of God's plan for mankind. One definition of "judgment" is the setting of things right, using this connotation, "...it is appointed unto man once to die, and after that the (setting of things right) judgment". This in no way excuses sin or the rejection of Jesus' scarifice.
I am currently reading a book by Edited by Robin A. Parry & Christopher H. Partridge "Universal Salvation? the Current Debate" it is fairly in depth for and against by several authors. I particularly am drawn to Thomas Talbott's arguments in favor of. He has written a book "The Inescapable Love of God."
I believe this a debate that the church is going to have to engage straight away. JMHOs
Be Blessed I'm going to bed. Thanks for you responses, please continue.