The False Doctrine of Universal Transformation

Finding a Universalist. A reply to Rodger Tutt.

I found this man via a discussion board and read his story, as told by himself, and found the following on this website. He is an advocate of universalism today, and apparantly was once greatly bothered by the doctrine of eternal damnation. Apparantly, according to his testimony, he suffered mental breakdowns which he says were the result of this doctrine and became an agnostic. He then says he read a lot of books, listen to a lot of teaching tapes, and became a convinced universalist.

I found his example interesting of what the Scriptures referes to as false teachers. "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction." 2 Peter 2:1 What is ironically sad about his story, is that it was his fear of eternal damnation that he claims led him to the doctrine of universalism, but it will be his doctrine of universalism that will bring him to eternal damnation, unless he repents.

I found a few statements of his from his website. He claims no one can refute his teaching. Of course, this is not true, but let the reader judge.

Apparantly Rodger is referring to Romans 9 to refer to chosen vessels of dishonor. His claim is regarding those who feel motivated to defend the doctrine of endless hell. In other words, Rodger begins writing to his readers with character assassination. Pretty typical. But it is "regardless as to how righteous the rest of their life appears to be."

This is contrary to the Scriptures brethren, which teach "If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him." 1 John 2:29 and again, "Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous." 1 John 3:7

And who are the ones chosen to salvation and those are chosen vessels of dishonor according to Romans 9? "What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith." Romans 9:30 It those who believe into the Lord Jesus who have the righteousness which is of faith, that is, the righteousness of Christ. Rodger wants to make the distinction on the doctrine of eternal damnation when the Scripture makes it on the doctrine of justification.

Just because Rodger suffered mental instability because of his own philosophical issues does not mean that all mankind are equally affected. It is true that others have struggled with these things, but not to the point of a mental breakdown like Rodger did. Furthermore, what is the greatest manisfestation of God's grace? Is it not the salvation of sinners from His wrath? God's purpose in election is, "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: 11In 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: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ." Ephesians 1:10-12 The elect of God do not go stark-raving mad, we go to worship Him who redeemed us by His blood.

This is a claim that can be judged of all who have the ability to read the Bible. Does the Bible teach universal transformation inlcuding fallen angels? "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever." Revelation 20:10 "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." Rev 20:15

Actually, He won't because He has already revealed His doctrine in Holy Scripture. Do you now see the folly of departing from the Scriptures? God's grace is indeed undefeatable. But His redemption is made for the elect alone.

This is a mix of good teaching and false teaching. It is good because it recognizes the limitation of the will of man to desire. It is good because it seems to highlight the sovereignty of God. But it is false because, while God works all things together for the good of certain ones, it for His elect. "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." Eph 1:11 And again, "And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren." Romans 8:27-29

Again, this is an attempt at the doctrine of Providence and Sovereignty, but ends up making God the author of sin. It ignores the use of second causes. A better statement of such things is, "God hath decreed in himself, from all eternity, by the most wise and holy counsel of his own will, freely and unchangeably, all things, whatsoever comes to pass; yet so as thereby is God neither the author of sin nor hath fellowship with any therein; nor is violence offered to the will of the creature, nor yet is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established; in which appears his wisdom in disposing all things, and power and faithfulness in accomplishing his decree." 2nd LBCF.

Effectively, Rodger has made "wrong attitudes" the unpardonable sin. His claim is that they cannot be forgiven. His statements regarding the atonement of Christ appear to be a denal of penal substitution. He also misunderstand discipline and punishment. The Lord correct His chosen. But He punishes the wicked. The elect will never be punished for their sins because Christ was punished for them. And so God the Father has justified them. "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." Romans 3:24 "Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him." Romans 5:9 "Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth." Romans 8:33

Again, the last statement is a misunderstanding of the Sovereignty of God. Rodger is effectly using a form of fatalism to excuse himself from his responsibility before and Almighty and All Holy God. He also here is exalting his opinion to be an accurate refelection of biblical teaching. Which means, this is his statement of faith, or creed.

God has always held men accuntable to His word. Consider,
"Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God." Matt 22:29 To whom did Jesus speak this? To the Saddusees who knew and read the Scriptures. And they were rebuked for not understanding it and teaching contrary to it. Rodger seems to want to lay the blame of his interpretation upon the Sovereignty of God, or else give weight to them for the same reason.

 

Part 2

How contrary to the example of the apostles and their teaching. "Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine..." counseled the Apostle Paul to Timothy. And, "Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure..." 1 Peter 1:10 And again, "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God." Heb 3:12

Rodger is taking his rest in a doctrine not found in the Scriptures, but found contrary to the Scriptures. He wants people to believe that his opinions are accurate reflections of the doctrines of Christ and His apostles, but everywhere they are against him. This is a very, very dangerous position. Consider well his testimony. He went from reaching "the mission field" to reaching insanity and then to Agnostism. From Agnostisim he embraced Universalism by reading books and listening to tapes. Nowhere in his testimony exists anything regarding his regeneration or faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Apparantly, this man has never known the Lord at all.

What is it then? Do you not see how unstable the man was? Do you not see how unlearned in the Scriptures? Does not the Scripture apply here which says, "...they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction." 2 Peter 3:16

We should mark well the words of Jude in verses 3 and 4

Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

To your first comment I answer: How then is a man justified before God?

To your second comment it just not pass muster. The text has the elect of God in view. If by Israel you mean the true Israel, the elect of God, then sure. These are the vessels unto honor. Pharoah, one man, is given as an example of a vessel unto dishonor, a vessel of wrath. There are vessels of wrath (the KJV makes it plural) and vessels of honor.

The vessels of honor are the called, the elect of God. Carry the context of the passage further, and the word is night thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart. 10:8 That is thou...singular...confess with thy mouth...v9

And the context before Romans 9

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 8:28

The elect are the called.

For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

us = the called, the justified, the predestined, the conformed, the glorified.

He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

us = the called, the justified, the predestined, the conformed, the glorified.

Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

God's elect = the justifed, the called, the predestined, the conformed, the glorifed.

Romans 9 begins with Paul expressing his pastoral and evangelical heart for the salvation of Jews. He takes his comfort, not in what he sees...many unbelieving Jews, but in the Promise of God. And the Holy Spirit by him announces that the children are those who are of the promise, not those of the flesh. Then is Jacob and Esau set before our eyes. Why? To magnify the purpose of God according to His election.

The example of the potter and of Pharoah are to illustrate God's sovereignty according to His election, whether of salvation or of reprobation. God endures with longsuffering the vessels of destruction. But He prepares before (afore) the vessels of mercy, showing His acts in election and reprobation are not the same, but different.

And then we come again to Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.

Who are the called? They are the elect, the predestined, the justified, the conformed, the glorified, both Jew and Gentile.

 

Andre,

I may get to your replies in a day or two. Remember, the Old does not interpret the new, but the New the Old. The New is in the Old concealed, and the Old is in the New revealed. Why use that which is concealed to interpret the revealed?

 

If this is a "tangent" Andre, then it is best left off until one or the other is of a better mind to dialogue.