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Rodger Tutt
Jul 15, 06 - 6:47 PM |
MY TESTIMONY
MY TESTIMONY The idea that God lets any creature suffer endlessly has caused me more suffering than all other problems of my life combined. By the time I had reached the mission field I had hoped to have found a satisfactory answer that would justify God allowing this to happen. I didn't find such an answer. Surrounded by thousands of people, dozens of whom were dying every day and beginning an eternity of suffering in hell was too much for me. In 1966, at age 28, it caused me to have a nervous breakdown. For several weeks I was confined to my bed in a state of terror night and day. The terror was caused by the fear of what a God I could not love or respect would do to me after I died. It took me twelve years to fully recover from the breakdown. I quickly became agnostic, for the Christian gospel and the Bible were no longer any comfort to me at all. Many evangelical friends tried to help me. They meant well, but in the end they all had only words of condemnation towards me. This added more suffering to my already intense suffering. Gradually I began to learn that there have been, in centuries past, and still are today, a few people in the world that see a different kind of God in the Bible. They see a God who will not let any creature suffer forever. They see a God in the Bible who will change every second of everyone's suffering into something better that it happened, including the sufferings of Satan. I learned that a correctly (literally) translated Bible teaches universal transformation, not endless suffering in hell, or even annihilation. I read dozens of books, and listened to hundreds of tapes by men who believe this way and I gradually became converted to believing this way myself. Since 1981, through my newspaper ads and my telephone ministry, I have sent out many hundreds of packets of literature explaining why I believe as I do. I have also sent this evidence to hundreds of pastors and Bible school teachers. None of them have told me that they are able to refute it. I have also read eight books that were supposed to refute the evidence in favour of universalism, but none of them do. Because of this evidence, my panic attacks became less frequent until twelve years after my breakdown they ceased altogether. Now nothing gives me greater pleasure than to make this evidence available to others who have suffered because of the same problem I had, and I use a substantial amount of my money and time to this end. Because of the enormous amount of suffering the idea of "endless hell" causes in this world, I am asking you to consider the possibility that you should stop endorsing the idea that the Bible teaches it. Or, at least, let others know that there are (and have been in centuries past) people who do not think the Bible teaches it. Many of the responses from pastors and teachers range from a mild: "The majority don't agree with you so you must be wrong", to the vicious "For every week you leave your ad in the papers, God will increase the temperature of the fires of hell for you personally". Most are somewhere in between these remarks. But none have told me they are able to refute the evidence. And, until they can, they will not be able to stop me from sharing the good news that a correctly (literally) translated Bible teaches universal transformation, not endless suffering in hell, or even annihilation. My website is http://greater-emmanuel.org/Hope4You/ A website that answers all the arguments that seem to support the idea that the Bible teaches endless suffering in hell is http://www.what-the-hell-is-hell.com/ It is linked to the tentmaker site http://www.tentmaker.org/ where the “scholar’s corner” in the right hand column under “research” deals with every aspect of the subject. The search engine at the top of this same tentmaker page is very comprehensive regarding this subject. May God's blessing rest with your spirit! From Rodger Tutt in Toronto, Canada “That God may be All in all” 1Cor.15:28 |
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Becky
Aug 1st, 2006 - 9:16 PM |
Re: MY TESTIMONY
Roger, Thought I'd run my miracle/mystery message by you. My husband and I believe God gave us that message to learn balance through. We've found that the message can mean that with God, what many consider to be opposites are actually true - what many think are contradictions may only be 2 sides to the same ideal. God is infinitely beyond our understanding. To try and pin Him down into words we can understand is sort of like building the tower of Babel. We can never "reach" God - He reaches us. Anyway, the thing about whether there really is a hell or isn't or whether we can potentially suffer there, whether others do suffer there . . . Does it matter? It's clear that we humans walk in error. And even the scientists have to agree there is always a reaction for every action. Errors bring consequences. It stands to reason that humans who choose a life of error rather than yielding to God's Love/Grace/Power/Guidance would naturally accumulate a large array of consequences. Those who choose to live in error are deserving of a harsh punishment. God, the great and perfect Judge, has set up a system whereby evil-doers receive just compensation for their evil and that is an eternal Hell. So, I have to agree with those who hold to the "there will be souls who suffer in hell" opinion. BUT (Miracle/Mystery) God, the great and perfect Father (Giver of Life and of Forgiveness), has also set up a system whereby evil-doers can allow their debt to be paid, at no cost to themselves, simply by accepting that payment. The Mystery is how could a good and perfect, justice demanding God, LOVE souls destined for Hell? The Miracle is God has Power even over Hell. Opposites: We are going to Hell. We aren't going to Hell. Now, what about all those who refuse to accept that payment? Well, for one thing they have chosen suffering. But for another - and some would say I am verging on heresy myself here - remember the parable of the workers? The last hired was paid the same as those who worked all day long. I believe every single one of us will have that "last hired" opportunity at the point of death, even if we have not "worked" one second of our life. When we face death, whether we only have an infinitisemal moment to contemplate God's gift or hours/days/months, do you really think a loving Father would rescind His gift? The thing is, God has already given it!! In God's infinite wisdom and power and knowledge, perhaps He knows our stubborn hearts will finally, at the last instant, accept the gift He has been holding out to us all along? If that is so - that every single one of us will ultimately accept God's gift of salvation - then you would be right in your opinion that no person will experience the eternal suffering of Hell. One thing is for sure, no Child of God will. (I know there are even more arguments ready over the idea that only a chosen number will NOT go to Hell - that's for another day.) God has prepared an eternal Hell of suffering. Yet, God rescued us from the eternal suffering our evil-doing earns: when He shut the gates to paradise and allowed us to have dominion over this planet. He knew we would suffer here, but far better to suffer temporarily on Earth than forever in eternity. Then through His Holy Spirit He gives us spiritual power to face ANY suffering. It is a wise parent who allows their child the freedom to grow and learn. Although tempted to shield and protect that child from any possible harm, that parent allows the child to explore his world. The parent sets up protections and teaches the child to respect them. Still, that child WILL experience harm. He'll stub his toe, bump his head, fall on his butt again and again. And that is the easy part. As the child grows the parent backs off the barriers of protection in order to allow the child control over his own life. And the risks build. And even when parents have given every care, offered every rememdy, sometimes children are seriously or fatally hurt because of the freedom they experienced. But we all know a child cannot grow without freedom. He can't be locked in a cage for safety! He can't go around in a bubble! That would be true hell, don't you think? Don't blame God for the suffering. Open your heart to His strength and power for facing struggles. Open your mind to His miracles for healing. And remember, the worst that could ever happen to you would bring death, and God has already given you the remedy for that!! Love, Becky |
Rodger Tutt
Aug 2nd, 2006 - 3:22 AM |
Re: MY TESTIMONY
Thank you for your response Becky. I am aquainted with many people who are unable to love a god who would let anyone suffer forever so we have nervous breakdowns (mine 12 years) fearing what God will do to us for not being able to love Him. For people like us the all important issue is that there is irrefutable evidence that a correct (literal) translation of the Bible teaches universal reconciliation, not endless suffering in hell, or even annihilation. The writers of the following material all believe that a correct (literal) translation of the Bible teaches universal transformation, not endless suffering in hell, or even annihilation. First of all there is the TENTMAKER site http://www.tentmaker.org/ In the middle of the front page is THE SCHOLAR'S CORNER. It will help you deal with every argument against the Bible teaching universal reconciliation. On the left-hand side is access to several writings that thoroughly refute arguments that support the doctrine of never ending suffering in hell. At the top, is a very comprehensive search engine. For example, type in the word "eternal". You may be surprised how many pages come up, each page listing ten different articles by teachers of universal reconciliation. There are a total of more than 600 pages each containing access to ten articles per page that refute the idea that the Word of God teaches endless suffering in hell or annihilation for any creature. Another great UR (universal reconciliation) site is at http://www.godstruthfortoday.org/ The section called IN THE GARDEN (accessible from the front page) contains so many eloquent, inspirational, Christ-glorifying articles by teachers of universal reconciliation like William Mealand and Donald Hayter, etc. Then there is THE MAIN LIBRARY (also accessible from the front page) which is LARGE, and contains the writings of MANY teachers of universal reconciliation. Four scriptural expositions supporting UR are found at http://concordant.org/expohtml/HumanDestiny/doubts.html http://concordant.org/expohtml/HumanDestiny/1cor15.html http://www.godstruthfortoday.org/Library/knoch/ReplyToUniversalismRefuted/refuted1.htm (copy and paste on address bar in two sections if necessary) http://concordant.org/expohtml/TheEons/index.html One of the important tools for believing that the Bible teaches universal reconciliation is to use a correct (literal) translation of the Bible. Here are several. The ones on line you don't even have to pay for. CORRECT TRANSLATIONS ONLINE CONCORDANT http://www.concordant.org/version/html.html YOUNG'S LITERAL http://www.auburn.edu/~allenkc/rylt/rylt.html URIM-THUMMIM http://bibleprophet.com/indexPUTV.html OTHER CORRECT TRANSLATIONS NOT ONLINE LISTED AT http://hellbusters.8m.com/asw10.htm and http://www.tentmaker.org/articles/Hell_is_Leaving_the_Bible_Forever.html I think the Concordant Literal Translation is the most accurate. Of the versions not online I like ROTHERHAM'S EMPHASISED BIBLE the best. Here are charts that you can print off that display what believers in universal transformation believe that the Bible teaches. http://www.saviour-of-all.org/ThingsOfInterest.html Lastly, there is my own personal site. If you click on LINKS on my menu board, it will take you to dozens of UR sites. Some of them are especially good like THE SAVIOUR OF ALL FELLOWSHIP, and THE CONCORDANT PUBLISHING CONCERN. My url is http://greater-emmanuel.org/Hope4You/ I would also like to mention four scholars that have been an enormous help to me through the years. They commit a large portion of their time on the internet helping people who have problems relating to the Bible teaching universal transformation. You might wish to contact them directly, because they know so much more than I do about the subject. One is Tony Nungesser at THE SAVIOUR OF ALL FELLOWSHIP tnungesser@adlmi.org Another is Richard C. Condon at email@godstruthfortoday.org Another is James Coram at THE CONCORDANT PUBLISHING CONCERN at email@concordant.org And the fourth is Gary Amirault at TENTMAKER gary@tentmaker.org We agree that "salvation is fully by the grace of God through faith in Christ Jesus." But we also believe that EVERYONE will eventually benefit from this grace and will exercise saving faith in Christ according to God's perfect timing for each individual. Becky, IMHO the greatest of all manifestations of God's grace in action on this earth is that people can believe in endless suffering for anyone and not have a nervous breakdown thinking about it. From Rodger Tutt in Toronto, Canada "That God may be All in all" 1Cor.15:28 |
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