I recently read a book ‘The Art of Letting Go’ by Richard Rohr. Correction, I listened to it on audiobook. Late to the party, this was the first of his writings I’ve run across. As is with many of the authors I encounter, he had several insightful views on God, a few of which I took note as something I had not pondered upon until now. Likewise, as with many of the authors I’ve surveyed, there are things I also disagree with. This is ok.
Wrapping up the segment, I was left with several questions. Some good ones, for sure! But one in particular, based on a few things he said… Is this guy a universalist?
Whether he is or isn’t does not take away from the matters of the book I sincerely admire. I simply wonder, where does this guy stand? Doesn’t seem fair for me to assume. And he’s nowhere near that I might ask. So I scout the internet. See what I see. Turns out, a lot of people swear he is. He, on the other hand, promises he’s not. There you have it. I’m certain that whatever he believes, he did not arrive there overnight.
Nonetheless, I remain puzzled by this conception we call universalism - How it is theorized we are “all God’s children”. For me, scripture seems to clearly illustrate this is not the case. My mind is immediately drawn to Jesus’ interaction with Nicodemus, a pharisee, who like most Jewish folk of his era, has a hard time wrapping his mind around the fact that his Jewishness does not automate a right standing with God. Jesus, knowing Nicodemus’ heart, gently aims to illuminate his thinking, “You must be born again.”
What’s the point? Why is there even a discussion around Jewishness if all God’s creation are good to go? Does Jesus (post Cross and Resurrection) now owe Nicodemus an apology for such a misleading delivery? Why did the early apostles give their lives unto a literal death for the sake of the Gospel? And why does Paul take such great detail to lay out the process of adoption unto God if this is merely a mode of default?
Universalism, I’m told, has been around since the 3rd century. But can we trace it to the ones who walked with Jesus themselves? Was their leadership so poor that the message was misplaced so early on? I don’t care to do a deep dive on the subject itself. I don’t believe we must study everything that’s not, to find out what is. Were this the case, no one would ever arrive at the truth. Still, what is truth?
If scripture is as clear as I believe it is concerning this concept, why are we so prone to hone in on the parts we feel comfortable while overlooking the vast landscape of passages that point elsewhere? Ease of the times? Fear of delivering a convicting message? Bitterness? That darn devil, again? I’m uncertain around the psychology behind it (would there be one). But am I missing something? This is a possibility.
Perhaps we may liken it to turning the wheel in the direction we stare too long while driving. Similarly, one may take the eyes of their heart off of Him and gaze at self, religion, and or the world instead - letting God know what we think, rather than the reverse. Now we’re veering toward a ditch. Careful! The next mistake is equally devastating. Overcorrecting.
Hopefully, this blog doesn’t read me harshly. I’m aiming at curiosity. And I’m not asking Jesus to take the wheel. But I do want to make certain I know which way to turn even if it requires no turning at all. Dear God, I believe You’re good for it.