"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way
is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.
For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are
few who find it."
(Matthew 7: 13-14, NASB)
There is a false belief today called
"universalism" that is promoted both by the New Age Movement as well
as some parts of the Church. Sad but true. The word is defined, "including,
covering, or affecting the whole without limit or exception; available or
applying to everyone." In other words, for the person who believes in
universalism. He or she believes that in the salvation of all human beings.
Regardless whether they receive the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Lord
and Saviour or not. Such a belief is wishful thinking and is false.
Universalism is diametrically opposed against God's Word and what it teaches
about salvation. The Scripture makes it clear that not all will be saved, even
though salvation is offered to all. The Apostle Peter puts it this way, "The Lord...is patient toward you, not
wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance" (2 Pet.
3: 9). Unfortunately, not all will come to Christ for salvation.
Universalism is an old belief dated back to the Universalist
Church of America founded in 1793. However, in 1961 the Unitarian Universalist
Association was founded as a result of both the
American Unitarian Association incorporated in 1825 and the Universalist
Church of America incorporated 1793 merging together into one. According to
Universalists tolerance is considered a virtue, whereas exclusivism a vice.
Noted Christian apologist and author Ron Rhodes had this to say:
"Their philosophy "excludes
all exclusiveness." No absolute truth can be true for all people in all
times in all places. No religion has a corner on truth. For this reason, they
honor all religions for the truth they espouse. Any religion, Unitarian
Universalists say, can lead one to have a meaningful life and provide a
foundation of ethics upon which to build one's life."[1]
Is this true? Since Universalists reject any claim to
absolute truth, then according to such reasoning, truth is what you believe it
to be. What may be true for one person may not be true for another individual. No
one can claim an exclusive on truth, for they exclude all exclusiveness to
truth. However, to believe or make such a statement is a claim to absolute
truth! How? Because to make such a statement, an Universalist is actually
saying that their claim to truth is that truth is whatever you believe it to
be. No one can have an exclusive claim to truth they add. What they fail to
realize is that to make such a statement is in fact an exclusive claim to
truth, which they are so against, because they believe this to be their
absolute truth, which in turn excludes absolute truth. Which is self
contradictory and self defeating if you ask me.
Also, Universalists believe that no one founder, prophet, or
god in all religions of the world are above or better in some way to the rest.
Such reasoning implies that the Lord Jesus is the same as any other great
religious founder, prophet, or god in any other world religion. In other words,
the prophet Muhammad or any swami or guru from Hinduism or the New Age Movement
is no different than the Lord Jesus Christ. All are equal. This of course is
false. See such Scriptures as (John 14: 6; Acts 4: 12 ; 10
This is a similar philosophy that ancient Rome Roman Empire was that they were pretty well tolerant of all
religions except for the early Christians in their empire. Hinduism is very well tolerant of all religions except for
Christianity. Hindu mobs are known to seek out Christians and beat and kill
them. So much for tolerance on their part. The New Age Movement is another religious system that likes to pride
itself on its tolerance as well. But it too is intolerant of Christians.
I well remember a few years ago visiting a local Unitarian
Universalist group here in my own city. I mostly went to observe and learn. In
a sense I went as an investigator to this particular group. Some members there
were quite friendly and made me feel welcome while other did not; especially
when I identified myself as a Christian. For some members there were hardcore
feminists who had a dislike for men such as myself. Other than that, my
experience there was quite interesting say the least. I managed to obtain a
couple pamphlets to further study their beliefs, when I left.
The reasoning behind the belief of Universalism today can be
summed up in these words from Scripture, "In
those days there was no king in Israel [or
North America ]; everyone did what was right in
his own eyes" (Judges 17: 6 ; 21: 25 ). Still another Scripture says, "There is a way which seems right to a
man, but its end is the way of death" (Prov. 14: 12). To the adherent of
Universalism, all religions or paths lead to the same purpose and goal. However
Jesus refutes such reasoning with what He testifies about Himself, "I am the way, and the truth, and the
life; no one comes to the Father but through Me" (John 14: 6). Another
Scripture passage that further refutes Universalism as seen in today's theme
text for this blog is "Enter through
the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who
enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find
it." (Matt. 7: 13-14). Do you see the truth here, Universalism
promotes a false gospel that encourages anarchy. In other words, be your own
god; whereas Christianity teaches only two ways as seen in the Scripture
passage in Matthew 7 :
13-14
[1] Ron
Rhodes, Find it Quick Handbook on Cults & New Religions, (Harvest House
Publishers, Eugene , Oregon
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