Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #424066 in Books
• Published on: 1999-10-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 236 pages

From the Publisher
From the Preface: "This set of reflections is neither a textbook nor a piece of scholarly research. It neither summarizes a specific field of study for students nor advances scholarship in some area of research. It is instead (what I would call) a real book, by which I mean that in it I have tried to reach the most demanding audience of all: that of educated non-specialists. The book is in part an intellectual autobiography, in part the elaboration of an argument, and in part an attempt at persuasive writing. In these pages, I have sought to share with others, particularly those who call themselves "Christians," some of my own deepest convictions about the nature of God and the world. I have sought to work out, with some degree of consistency, the idea that the universe really is an expression of love, as some of the mystics from many traditions have always insisted."

Part I chronicles some of Talbott's early theological struggles and how he came to embrace a doctrine of universal reconciliation: the wondrous idea that God's love will inevitably triumph in the end and finally transform every created person. Part II sets forth the positive case for his contention that universalism is a plain and obvious teaching of the New Testament. And finally, Part III explores some of the logical inconsistencies in competing theological systems.

Customer Reviews

A powerful Scriptural and logical defense of Universalism
I have spent most of the past year reading everything I can find on the Internet on the subject of Universal Reconciliation. But nothing has given me more food for thought than this beautiful book by Tom Talbott. Talbott argues against the doctrine of eternal hell from two points of view here: scriptural and philosophical.

His scriptural argument is based primarily on Paul's epistles. The book of Romans, which I had previously thought was a stronghold of Calvinistic thinking (or Augustinian thinking, as Talbott refers to it), turns out to support the belief that God has predestined ALL to be conformed to the image of His Son! It is startling to see how we have overlooked so many verses and mis-read others, based on our preconceptions. Talbott also addresses other passages of scripture that appear to teach a doctrine of eternal punishment. He shows how every theological position (in this case, Calvinism, Arminianism, and Universalism) has its pile of verses to use as proof, and its pile of verses to be "explained" or perhaps "explained away." And he shows that we cannot simply toss proof-texts at each other, but must also think about the overall meaning of Scripture. The fundamental questions that need to be answered are: is God loving and fair? Is God powerful enough to bring His will to pass? What is God's desire for His creation? Only after we have answered these questions can we have a basis for understanding one passage of Scripture in light of other passages.

The chapters in which he argues from a logical or philosophical standpoint are fascinating. For example, he completely disarms the popular argument that says, "Well, yes, God is loving, but He is also just, and His justice requires Him to send sinners to hell, even though He wishes he didn't have to." Talbott shows that it is impossible for love and justice to be in opposition to each other. And he demonstrates that those who teach predestination actually do not take seriously the fact that Love is God's defining characteristic. His thoughts on justice are powerful and thought-provoking. In fact, he will force you to reconsider what justice actually requires. (For example, how does punishment undo the damage that sin or evil or a crime has caused? What would it mean to actually repair the damage of sin? What is God's motive in punishing sin?

Another compelling argument that Talbott presents is the idea that it is impossible for God to love any individual and bring that individual to a state of happiness without also loving and providing for everyone s/he loves. If I am saved, but my child is lost, how can I be happy and at peace? Is it imaginable that God can remove my love for my child? Or that He can keep me in ignorance of my child's fate? Or that He can cause me to forget that I ever had a child? And the more people I love and the more deeply I love them, the more miserable I would be in eternity, if any of them were lost. This is not just a sentimental thought but a profound problem with any view of God other than the view of Universal Reconciliation.

Talbott also answers the other most common argument against the salvation of All, namely that people have a free will and if they refuse to turn to God, God cannot or will not force them to. He argues that no one can freely chose something that is self-evidently in their own worst interest. And that therefore once individuals have been confronted with the reality of God's complete love and acceptance of them, they will have no grounds for chosing to reject His love. Such a choice would be so irrational that it could not even be called a free choice. I can only want happiness for myself, and if I know that God also wants happiness for me, on what grounds could I reject Him? Such a rejection is only possible when I am under some sort of delusion, and is therefore not truly a free choice. So when we see Him as He is, we will freely love Him, because how could we not?

This book will stretch your mind at the same time that it warms your heart. If you are sure that hell is true, please read this book and see how your arguments stand up. If you wish or hope that hell will not be the eternal fate of any human being, read this book and allow yourself to believe that God is even more wonderful than you imagined. If you are already convinced that eternal hell cannot be true, read this book to deepen your understanding of the strength of your position. This is a book of great beauty.

A Compelling and Detailed Argument for Universalism
I read Talbott's book ("studied" and "absorbed" might be better words than just "read") after studying "If Grace is True" by Pastors Phillip Gulley & James Mulholland. Both of these books are arguments for a Universalist view of the Gospel -- that is, God will through His love and grace ultimately reconcile all persons to Himself; some people may end up in a place of punishment such as Hell for a time, but that will not be permanent and everlasting. If I found Gulley & Mulholland's book to be compelling (and I certainly did for the most part), Talbott's is twice as good. "The Inescapable Love of God" is more systematically researched, more Biblically-based, more scholarly in every way than "If Grace Is True." Talbott is a professor of philosophy and religion at a university in Oregon, and eagerly embraces his belief in Jesus and a love for Christianity. His background in philosophy allows him to apply the best logic I've ever heard or read to the study of Christianity. Plus, Talbott doesn't have that wacky, radical view of the role of Jesus that Gulley & Mulholland offer in chapter five of "If Grace Is True."

Talbott, Gulley, and Mulholland offer a refreshing and logical view of Christianity that I certainly welcome having spent thirty years in the Baptist church where much of the time the only incentive and motivation taught for becoming a Christian was/is fear.

The Dark Underbelly of Protestant Theology Exposed
After witnessing 9/11 firsthand, I reflected on my faith with many others in NYC, while criticizing Islam for believing that non-Muslims were "infidels" worthy of death. My non-Christian friends responded "Youu Christians say the same thing - believe in Jesus, or burn in hell forever". Well, yeah, but we try not to think or talk about it too much. (Not an acceptable answer) This led to hours of biblical study and reflection, which culminated in finding this book.

I believe in the inerrancy of Scripture, the reality of hell, and the ultimate and universal Triumph of Christ over Hell, Death and Sin. Talbott lays out this belief in a way that is strongly biblically supported and rigorously (!) logical. He also lays out the historical reasons for the theological ascendency Augustinian/Calvinist doctrine, with it's Biblically dubious doctrine of "limited atonement" (wherein Christ asks that you love your neighbor, but He Himself may not if they are not "elect".)

This is not a "tree-hugger" book. This is a book for serious Christians and seekers of all types who have difficulty reconciling their personal experience of God's Character with the implications of mainline Protestant theology.

Is God both All-Loving and All-Powerful? A robust and well-argued "Yes!"