Apologist Erik Strandness ponders on an important topic that can be ignored in the debate over ‘universalism’ –  what we are to be saved from - the reality of sin and Jesus’s central role in its defeat

Premier Unbelievable hosted a recent debate about “universal salvation” that caused me to reflect on the roots of what we must be saved from and the choices that must be required. The conversation, “Is God’s love truly for all - universalism or eternal damnation?” between Princeton Theological Seminary student Andrew Hronich, author of the new book “Once loved always loved: The logic of apokatastasis,” and Professor of Philosophy Jerry Walls, author of “Hell: The logic of damnation.”  It was a fascinating discussion moderated by the always thoughtful Sean McDowell. 

Costly grace

McDowell began the conversation by making sure the guests agreed upon the definitions of salvation that would be used during the discussion. While these definitions certainly helped me understand each one of the possible soteriological permutations, unfortunately it left undefined the very sin from which they argued we were either universally or conditionally saved. The reason that understanding sin is so important to this discussion is because salvation isn’t just a golden ticket we find inside a Christian chocolate bar, but an atonement purchased… (Register to read the rest of the article)