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article When I watch Pearson on Politically Correct hosted by Bill Mahr last year, he had next to nothing to say to people who were flaunting their sin and making evil statements. I thought how can this representative of the gospel be silent in the face of this? Since then a number of things have come to my attention and I now understand why. Pearson is a well-known pastor and evangelist, for over 20 years Carlton Pearson has been pastor of the Higher Dimensions Family Church in Tulsa. It would not be necessary to even write of Pearson since there are others who hold the same view, except that he is the presiding bishop of the Azusa Interdenominational Fellowship of Christian Churches and Ministries, Inc., which includes over 500 churches and ministries. He has authored a variety of books and was even nominated for a Dove Award and a Stellar Award Winner. Carlton Pearson's Alma Mater is Oral Roberts University and was a Member of the Board of Regents. Pearson has recently come out with a book and statements that has endorsed universalism. Oral Roberts University took action and removed him from its board of directors due to his theological differences. According to "The Tulsa Beacon," Pearson has been confronted over his teaching by televangelists John Hagee, Marilyn Hickey and his mentor, Oral Roberts. Roberts sent Pearson a 12-page response after he sent him details on the teaching. While I certainly do not agree with what these people mostly teach, what I do appreciate is even his own friends did not bend their views because of friendship and stood for Biblical truth on this matter. this is a rarity in these times. "He corrected everything he thought was wrong and told me to change my vernacular," said Pearson, who relocated to Tulsa from San Diego 30 years ago to attend Oral Roberts University, the "Beacon" reported. From what I understand, Roberts, Hagee and Hickey, as well as other ministers who know Pearson and several Tulsa pastors refused to talk to Charisma News about the subject. However, Pearson noted that fellow black preachers, including Charles Blake, G.E. Patterson and T.D. Jakes, are familiar to some extent with inclusivism. When asked about Bible verses that could undermine his argument, Pearson questions the validity of their transmission and translation. He says the Bible is "paper and ink" and "shouldn't be an idol." (The Associated Press) What a thing to say about the Word of God that Paul stated to Timothy "that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus" (2 Tim. 3:15). No Bible - no wisdom. Pearson teaches that sincere people who do not directly acknowledge Christ -- such as Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and Unitarians -- will go to heaven. The finished work of Christ at Calvary redeemed all of humanity, not just Christians, back to God," Pearson says. "The whole world is already saved -- they just don't know it." This is a nice thought but hardly a biblical position. Pearson explains "The death of Christ made it possible for God to accept sinful man, and that he has, in fact, done so. Consequently, whatever separation there is between man and the benefits of God's grace is subjective in nature and exists only in man's mind and unregenerate spirit. The message man needs to hear then, is not that he simply has a suggested opportunity for salvation, but that through Christ he has, in fact, already been redeemed to God and that he may enjoy the blessing that are already his through Christ."(Carlton Pearson, Jesus: The Savior of the World) We can see that Pearsons view like other "Christian universalists" faith is not required for Jesus Christs death on the cross; the saving work is applied automatically without the recipient knowing. This is not the teaching of Jesus Christ, therefore whatever Jesus or gospel this is, we can be assured it is not about the Jesus Christ of the Bible. Pearson is not the first to come to this conclusion. Hannah Hurnard wrote in Eagles' Wings to the Higher Places of her fictional character "'He is the Saviour of all men!' (1 Tim. 4:10). The words burst forth in passionate triumph from the lips of Aletheia. 'Oh, how blind I have been! He is lifted up and nailed to the cross with us. As Jesus revealed when He hung between the two thieves and murderers, He will "draw all men unto Him." "As in Adam (poor fallen Mankind) all die, so in Christ, the Second Adam, shall all men be made alive" (1 Cor. 15:22). Oh, what a victory! The only victory truly worthy of the Great God and Creator Who "did not make anything in vain but in the end restores all things unto Himself" (Acts 3:21). Oh, it is the Best News possible, the only possible News, if we are truly to love and trust Him fully'" (Eagles' Wings to the Higher Places, pp. 35-36 Quoted from PFO article from High places to Heresy). The misunderstood passage in Adam, all will be made alive is the crux of the universalists proof from the Bible. We will look at their scriptural support later. If Carlton Pearson's theology (along with the other universalists) are correct, if Christ died for every person in the world that ever lived, that His death and resurrection is efficacious for all without believing, then we no longer need to preach Christ and mankind as sinful. Since salvation is automatically given without their knowing or consent. In fact, according to Pearson, the only way one is kept from heaven is when they hear the gospel and refuse it. Therefore from this view we can conclude that we should not give them any opportunity to hear and reject the message to incur judgment, this way they will not be separated from God as the result. But this held belief is defective, common sense tells us if Jesus reconciled all by his death then certainly rejecting it cannot undo what is unanimously given to all. Since there is no need for faith to be saved, one's conscious unbelief could not remove them from being recipients of these same universal benefits. Ignorance is not bliss in the case of salvation, the Bible insists we are to believe and repent. Faith has always been the means by which salvation is given but now we have those who state a spiritual conversion is unnecessary. Strangely enough Pearson holds "I believe and preach with all my heart, the power and appropriateness of being Born Again, which I experienced personally over 40 years ago as a five-year-old child (Words from the bishop . . . Jesus: The Savior of the World (The Gospel of Inclusion.) I certainly can't understand how two opposing views can be held at the same time. Paul writes in Ephesians 2:11-13 "remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ." This is said only after Paul writes, "For by grace you have been saved through faith." Paul makes it absolutely clear what the Bible states by his asking in Romans 10:8-10 "But what does it say? 'The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart' --that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation." So what are we to conclude from those who hold the universalist position? Paul also addresses it by stating "I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!" (Galatians 1:6-8) The Apostle Paul: "God forbid that I should glory in anything except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Gal. 6:14). One must have faith in what Christ did for the work He already accomplished to have any reciprocal effect on the individual. Believing (exercising faith) to receive is an absolute necessity. Pearson states that a God who eternally condemns non-Christians would be worse than Hitler. "Hitler killed six million [people], mostly Jews. He is the most despised man in the twentieth century. Is God worse than Hitler, who's going to burn eternally, endlessly, billions of people?" Let me put this into perspective another way for us to understand -- you have a fatal disease that will deteriorate all the flesh off your body, the doctor offers you the true cure, but you deny your sick or that you need it. If you do not take the true cure and you die, is it the doctor's fault or yours? Pearson had a three-day conference at his church entitled "Contending for the Faith Once Delivered Summit," at which the "gospel of inclusion" was to be the main focus. Speakers at the three-day conference included Pearson himself as well as several others who are proponents of universalism. Pearson said. "A careful study of what I have taught will reveal that it is entirely scriptural, logical and theologically sound", "So-called false teaching does not necessarily make a person a heretic, but an evil heart and attitude can make any doctrine heretical. That's why the World Trade Center isn't standing today and 3,000 people are dead." To compare those who are supposed to know with those who follow another religion and killed 3,000 is hardly rational. This is not how the Bible describes heretics! Whosoever ... abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, HATH NOT GOD" (2 John 1:9) 1 Tim. 4:16 "Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you." 2 Tim. 4:3-4 "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables." Universalism is a fable if there ever was one. The "gospel of inclusion," is Universalism. In short, universalists teach that all will be saved regardless of their acceptance of Christ by faith. All of humanity will have its destiny in heaven, whether they realize it or not. Wonderful, tickles the ears doesn't it. To hold the position that everyone even if they are an idolater, ungodly are all going to have eternal life in heaven, without any requirement to repent of their sins and receive salvation is absurd from the Biblical point of view. The universalist view is the spirit of our age. It is inconsistent with the faith that is in the Bible it is the Devils trump card to annihilate the gospel message. By doing this he can bring the church to participate in interfaith. This is not a trivial matter but is a core doctrine that is connected to salvation, and what makes one saved and in the grace of God. Lest we forget Jesus who said "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance"(Luke 5:32). The view of universalism is that they are considered righteous not needing repentance. This is not just the liberal Jesus Seminar that is attacking the Bibles clear teachings, but those inside the church that we would consider evangelical. Pearson says He is "…trying to get away from the picture of an angry, intolerant God. I don't see God that bitter" ("Carlton Pearson's 'Gospel of Inclusion' Cost Mayoral Bid" by Eric Tiansay. Charisma News Service, March 19, 2001). God is not bitter, nor intolerant, however God is still angry at sin; he has not changed his mind, Psalm 7:11-12 "God is a just judge, And God is angry with the wicked every day. If he does not turn back, He will sharpen His sword; He bends His bow and makes it ready." Psalm 5:5 "The boastful shall not stand before Thine eyes; Thou dost hate all who do iniquity" Psalm 2:12 "Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, And you perish in the way, When His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him." Prov. 6:16-19, "There are six things which the Lord hates, yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, A false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers." Christ is still the only cure. Nothing has changed since. There was judgment in the beginning of the earth in the garden, judgment on the earth with Noah, judgment on cities with Sodom and Gomorrah and there will be the judgment of nations and people when Christ comes back. Gen. 6:5-7 "Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. So the LORD said, "I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth." God is still going to deal with sinners as he did in the past. Isa. 13:9 "Behold, the day of the LORD comes, cruel, with both wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate; and He will destroy its sinners from it." 2 Pet. 3:6-7 "by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men." Yet in all this God is not willing to punish, Psalm 145:20 "The LORD preserves all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy." Ps. 78:37-39 "For their heart was not steadfast with Him, nor were they faithful in His covenant. But He, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and did not destroy them. Yes, many a time He turned His anger away, and did not stir up all His wrath; For He remembered that they were but flesh, a breath that passes away and does not come again." Some say that we should say that God only hates the sin but loves the sinner as if we accept anyone despite what they do. The Scriptures tell us that He loves us (1 John 4:8) but we are commanded to repent. It is better to accept the love of God found in Jesus than to reject it and suffer His wrath. The fact of the matter is that God is holy and righteous and He hates those who sin and He punishes the sinner who does not repent of his sin. He does not punish sin apart from punishing the sinner. While we hear that we are to love the sinner and hate the sin, this part is true -- however Sin cannot be separated from the person, for it takes a sinner to do sin. Sin is rebellion in the person's heart. Therefore, God must punish the sinner. Why? Because He is both Holy and just, the person who sins offends God. God's holiness and justice cannot allow Him to ignore the offense no matter how much he loves the person. Nor would He be just to give to the sinner the same end as those who repent to follow His ways. The Law is a reflection of God's character. These commandments are not without punishments. A law without consequences is only good advice. To sin is to break God's Law it is an offence to his nature. To sin means to challenge His authority over mankind. God does not lie, neither is He mocked. His will keep his word He has said He will punish the law breaker and sinner. Isa. 1:28 "The destruction of transgressors and of sinners shall be together, and those who forsake the LORD shall be consumed." Pearson states: "A careful study of early church history will show that the doctrine of universal restoration was the prevailing doctrine of the Primitive Christian Church." History does not show that the doctrine of universalism was held by the Primitive Christian Church as he and others claim. It was Origen in the 3rd century who began to espouse this view as he held to a more allegorical interpretation of Scripture, but it was never held as an orthodox church view. If we look at some of the more known names and theologians of the early church they certainly counter this view. Some refer to Justin Martyr (Ist century) in his Apology "an apocalyptic destruction of the whole cosmos, in order that evil angels, demons and men may no longer exist." Justin Martyr said: "We have been taught that only they may aim at immortality who have lived a holy and virtuous life near to God. We believe that they who live wickedly and do not repent will be punished in everlasting fire" "Hell is a place where those are to be punished who have lived wickedly and who do not believe that those things which God has taught us by Christ will come to pass" (First Apology, 21, 150 AD). The Martyrdom of Polycarp "Fixing their minds on the grace of Christ, [the martyrs] despised worldly tortures and purchased eternal life with but a single hour. To them, the fire of their cruel torturers was cold. They kept before their eyes their escape from the eternal and unquenchable fire" (Martyrdom of Polycarp 2:3). Go to page 2 of Carlton Pearson and Universalism Or go back to Universalism Main Page |
