Is the Universalist Herald Christian?
Is the Universalist Herald Christian?
by Steven Rowe
Recently the question was asked concerning the orientation of this publication; is the
Universalist Herald a Christian Publication? Speaking only for myself, merely a recent
subscriber , I would have to say: Yes, of course. And a whole lot more.
Christianity has fallen on hard times in the past thirty years. The beating of the drums and the
clanging of the cymbals has muted the sounds of the words that used to echo throughout the
land. Words about Love, and Righteousness .
Now, we are just as likely to hear that “God hates fags ” and that “God sent diseases and
hurricanes to smite the wicked, and if innocents are hurt, well God knows His own” There is,
among some who profess to Christianity, a smugness and disdain for those who don’t
measure up.
Let’s be honest: Who would want to be members of a religion like that?
Yet, the traditional Universalists were Christian And they had to work hard to protect their
Christian faith . The WMCA forbid their individual membership, the World Council of
Churches, denied their fellowship, the individual states who refused them to testify in court, still
could not change the fact that the traditional Universalist based their beliefs on the Bible and
what they saw as God’s love for all the people. They were indeed Christians who deeply
believed in the words of Jesus.
As time went on, the Universalists began to consider that if God loved us all, then he loved
those who either weren’t Christian or didn’t know they were Christian as well. They began to
see that there was even good in non-Christian religions that helped with the suffering of
mankind and also led the way. That there was Truth in other worlds as well.
And yes, there are still some pretty good words in the old black Book. Words like “Love Your
God with all Your heart”. “Love your neighbor as much as you love yourself””.”Do Good to
those who do bad to you”. Stories about forgiveness and redemption. Indeed there are lots of
good words there. And There are lots of good things in Christianity. Don’t let them run folks
away from a powerful and righteous and wonderful thing.
Because there are indeed Universalists, who study Jesus and his way of living in attempt to be
as much like him as possible; which includes sincerity kindliness, cheerfulness, empathy, and
the connection with the divine.
They study other works as well :
“Love is the doctrine of Universalism. The quest for truth is its sacrament. …”
Is the Universalist Herald a Buddhist publication? Yes of course.
Is the Universalist Herald a Religious Humanist publication? Yes of course
Is the Universalist Herald a Christian publication? Why, yes of course.
All of this, and a whole lot more!
Steven Rowe is a Mental Health Counselor and Webmaster of: A Southern "Universalist
Church" History blog.
by Steven Rowe
Recently the question was asked concerning the orientation of this publication; is the
Universalist Herald a Christian Publication? Speaking only for myself, merely a recent
subscriber , I would have to say: Yes, of course. And a whole lot more.
Christianity has fallen on hard times in the past thirty years. The beating of the drums and the
clanging of the cymbals has muted the sounds of the words that used to echo throughout the
land. Words about Love, and Righteousness .
Now, we are just as likely to hear that “God hates fags ” and that “God sent diseases and
hurricanes to smite the wicked, and if innocents are hurt, well God knows His own” There is,
among some who profess to Christianity, a smugness and disdain for those who don’t
measure up.
Let’s be honest: Who would want to be members of a religion like that?
Yet, the traditional Universalists were Christian And they had to work hard to protect their
Christian faith . The WMCA forbid their individual membership, the World Council of
Churches, denied their fellowship, the individual states who refused them to testify in court, still
could not change the fact that the traditional Universalist based their beliefs on the Bible and
what they saw as God’s love for all the people. They were indeed Christians who deeply
believed in the words of Jesus.
As time went on, the Universalists began to consider that if God loved us all, then he loved
those who either weren’t Christian or didn’t know they were Christian as well. They began to
see that there was even good in non-Christian religions that helped with the suffering of
mankind and also led the way. That there was Truth in other worlds as well.
And yes, there are still some pretty good words in the old black Book. Words like “Love Your
God with all Your heart”. “Love your neighbor as much as you love yourself””.”Do Good to
those who do bad to you”. Stories about forgiveness and redemption. Indeed there are lots of
good words there. And There are lots of good things in Christianity. Don’t let them run folks
away from a powerful and righteous and wonderful thing.
Because there are indeed Universalists, who study Jesus and his way of living in attempt to be
as much like him as possible; which includes sincerity kindliness, cheerfulness, empathy, and
the connection with the divine.
They study other works as well :
“Love is the doctrine of Universalism. The quest for truth is its sacrament. …”
Is the Universalist Herald a Buddhist publication? Yes of course.
Is the Universalist Herald a Religious Humanist publication? Yes of course
Is the Universalist Herald a Christian publication? Why, yes of course.
All of this, and a whole lot more!
Steven Rowe is a Mental Health Counselor and Webmaster of: A Southern "Universalist
Church" History blog.
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