Forgive me for bringing this up, but I saw something on Twitter that dismayed me. Ok, its Twitter, that could be anything. In this case it was about Universalism. The tweet said that anyone who considers Universalism is not and will never be a Christian.
For those who do not know, Universalism means, that all good people go to heaven. In some cases it is not just the good people, but everyone. If you have a very rigid interpretation of the bible and Christianity; believing everyone goes to heaven is a big red flag.
Universalism a reaction to the harsh reality of the Gospel where sheep go to heaven, while goats go to hell. Universalism can be a response to the question of what happens to those who did not hear about, or live, before Jesus life, death and resurrection.
It is a balm. A soothing thought for those who have departed loved ones that did not believe. For those who fell by the wayside. For those who saw no other option but escape from life into what lies beyond. Universalism will always be there in the minds of many who faithfully believe and follow the path of Christ.
C.S. Lewis and Universalism
You may not remember but C.S. Lewis’ final instalment of the Narnia series “The Last Battle” has a form of Universalism. There is a stable (of course) and its door leads to Aslan’s country. Through that door pass the protagonists and many others.
There are Dwarves who cannot believe that they are in Aslan’s Country. There is also a Calormene called Emeth. The Calormene’s are pictured like Arabian Knights, yes Islamists. Emeth is an honourable man who, like Job, is blameless in the sight of Aslan. His genuine love and goodness was taken as following Aslan and not the Calormene deity Tash.
The Last Battle’s universalism is not the only place where C.S. Lewis describes a universalist future. In the Great Divorce there is a drab and grey city where the inhabitants take a bus ride to the edge of the heavenly realm.
The Last Battle took in those from Narnia at the end of that world. In The Great Divorce it is set after the return of Christ. There are two realms and traffic between them is possible. Some people from the grey city succeed in gaining entry into the heavenly realm. At the same time there are those like the Dwarves from Narnia who will never escape their own entrapments and snares.
God Still In Charge
If this revelation about C.S. Lewis’ work surprises you, please understand that this is fiction. No one knows what lies beyond. Lewis is grasping at the mystery and trying to graft out a plausible future where hope still exists. But not a hope where people grasp heaven by their own means. God is always in charge.
At no point in Lewis’ narrative do these people defy God and sneak into salvation. Because the destination and who gets there is not up to the people. All the opportunities and entries into the place that Jesus has prepared for us are decided by Him alone.
It is a part of the end things, of Christian Eschatology, that people often forget. While they focus on the destination and strict adherence to law. They often forget that we are brought into relationship with God through Christ Jesus. Jesus says I have prepared a place for you, to his friends to his followers. Those who love him.
The Mystery of Home
Jesus leaves to create HOME, not a mansion or a city in the clouds. It is HIS home and he will only let in those who he decides are worthy. To this there is a mystery, because Jesus warned us not to think only the righteous will enter into his home.
We do not know who will enter the home of Jesus. To assume that we do is to take the place of Jesus. Was not that the goal of the angel Lucifer? To assume the place of God?
As the hymn ‘And can it be’ reminds us,
’Tis mystery all! The Immortal dies!
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love Divine!
’Tis mercy all! let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.
We like the Angels are not able to sound the depths of love divine. We are not capable of knowing what is to come. But, we do know who is preparing that home for us. It is not up to us to decide. And that is a mystery that often leads to Universalism. Why? Because the depths of the Father’s love for us is beyond understanding and beyond measure.