NeoTheism
Back to Universalism
John 3:36
He who believes in the Son has everlasting life;
and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath
of God abides on him.
NKJV
The other point to note about neotheism is that it logically leads to a universal view of salvation. Open theologists generally admit that it is morally correct for God to intervene in order to guarantee His desire that mankind be saved. Using 1 Timothy 2:4 and 2 Peter 3:9, the neotheist agrees that it is God&s loving desire that all be saved.
1 Timothy 2:4 (NIV)
4
who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)
9
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.
He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to
come to repentance.
Under their logic, if it is right for God to intervene some of the time, how does He decide when to do so? In fact, if in love He wants to save everyone, would not He intervene all the time? While neotheist may not “preach” universalism, their positions logically arrive at a universalist posture. If God can violate a man&s will to save Him, even if it means violating His free will, then in love God is bound to do this for each and every person in time and space.
It is to be noted that not every neotheist is close to being a true Christian. Some have clearly reject most of the tenets of Christianity in favor of a true universal, all-religion encompassing view of God. Others treat Jesus as Savior, but find that faith is not an element required for salvation. Thus, one may “find” Jesus via Hinduism or Islam or any of the other world religions. Still others border very close to the doctrine of orthodox Christianity. And, this is the group that concerns me -
