Hi Exxx,
Haven't forgotten about our conversation. But I assure you that the justification for universal reconciliation is more than just wishful thinking, discarding of God's justice or making void the gift of free will.
I found one interesting observation made about your personal difficulty with the lake of fire. So you don't think it is a literal place of burning as many good Arminians believe. Instead you think it is a symbolic interpretation of eternal separation from God. From this I believe there may still be a closet Universalist in you! Except you just can't get over the problem of free will. But curiously, if it is separation from God, shouldn't hell be freezing cold instead of blazing hot? For God is a burning fire that not only nurtures but also refines. If hell is where God doesn't exist (is that even possible?) then neither shall it be eternally burning.
I will get to free will later, but may I first ask: removing your understanding of the Scripture, How is your most natural initial reaction to a assumed confirmation that ultimately all will be saved -- does it make you love God more in such assurance, or is it upsetting and makes you lose faith in Him for abandoning justice? I believe an answer to this reveals one's core belief and true intent.
Regarding free will, I am sure you agree that it is one of God's gifts for man out of His virtue. But it is not the only virtue from His heart accorded man. First and foremost there is love, and all other gifts are from love and cannot contradict love. There must be a purpose to, and higher purpose for God's gift of free will, which means it must serve a purpose for the good of man if it was given out of love.
But we seem to think it as separate from a purpose of love but more of a test of sincerity and even just a game to play to determine winners and losers. And not only does it serve no constructive purpose to the plan of salvation, it may even be an obstacle to God's will to bring back all of His loved ones. Viewed this way it seems the most logical explanation of God and free will is like a store vender wanting us to buy his goods but we are free to buy or not buy, take it or leave it. Whatever the choice it really doesn't matter so much as to break the heart of God, and the entire exercise is simply a process elimination to Him.
However, God's plan is not merely a choice of business transaction. The free will given man is to allow him opportunity to learn of God's heart and to trust in Him for all man's needs. It is limited free will that operates within the will of love, just like as parents we also give our children freedom in our relationship not to worry about punishment beyond loving correction, but will not allow them to suffer the consequences of action outside our protection (such as a toddler running out in the street). For when freedom is given to that extend then it is not an act of love but mere tolerance of indifference. Yet within the protection of love there is still freewill to be who we are -- and to hurt Him who loves us. Yet love forgives all our transgressions from lack the of faith and knowledge.
And such unlimited (and purposeless) free will contradicts the love of God. Many will say that in saving all it contradicts with God's justice. And that is where all the logical dead ends evolve from -- the incorrect relationship between God's love and His justice. God is love. Nothing else. Justice, mercy and even free will are all manifestations of love and only to serve love. Justice is not equal to love, for without love justice is meaningless and becomes only as a control mechanism. But if we believe that God is above all else -- love, then we can accept and understand the purpose of free will to draw ourselves closer to Him, and may even for a time stray away. There can be allowed seeming contradiction for now in our growth, but love wins in the end that will not compromise nor be compromised by free will. And the meaningful exercise of free will is in seeing God's heart, and understanding His sacrifice that we choose from loving Him to return to Him who loves us first.
Some more food for thought: There is no free will in unbelief, neither does it exist without the possibility of doubt. Think about it. Until next time...
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