Something important I think the board needs to hear to help keep this war in perspective:
T total depravity: we are inherently sinful
U unconditional atonement: we need to pay nothing for forgiveness (indeed we cannot)
L limited atonement: not all are saved
I irresistible grace: once called, your eyes will be open, you won’t be able to shut them anymore
P perseverance of the saints: we will face difficulties in this world, since our enemies consist of our own selves, other sinners and the devil himself.
I say this because fixing our government (even permanently) does not solve the God sized hole in our hearts, and there’s no good within ourselves apart from God. This is important to remember as we continue the battle, to know none of us earned salvation or righteousness so we ought to show grace for those not yet awake.
And that, my friends, is true strength.
Define for all. Available to all? Are all forgiven? Are there any destined for hell besides demons and the devil? The Bible supports one of two theories in my opinion:
Salvation is available to every person but not given to every person (regardless of “sinfulness”)
Every sin is forgiven (to ward of God’s impending wrath immediately) but not everyone is given Jesus’s acts of obedience.
In case there was any confusion about what all means; 1 Timothy 4:10 would seem to clear it up “10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.” Savior of all men includes both believers and unbelievers. I don’t see how limited atonement is supported in the Bible.
“Specially of those that believe”
I means, it’s right there that should cause you doubt and questions as to what you are saying. Romans 8, Ephesians 1 have this pesky word called “predestination” in which God has destined before it happens, that some will be saved and some will not. Romans 2 speaks heavily on God’s judgement against sinful men. In fact, the Bible has so many references to not all men being saved, starting as far back as Genesis 6, I could make a nearly infinite case. What’s more, Jesus speaks more about hell than anyone else in the Bible. To deny hell and deny God’s holy attribute of Justice is heresy, not the belief in it (called TULIP)
I provided a clear example of “all” meaning more than just believers, but you want to redefine “all” to mean something less than all to fit your theology. That’s fine, but you’re denying the clear language here.
I’m not denying hell; man’s doctrine of hell isn’t what the Bible teaches.
Do you believe God desires that none perish (2 Peter 3:9)? If yes, why can’t God accomplish this goal?
Hell is the absence of God. That is the biggest defining feature of it.
You didn’t provide a clear explanation as it had a qualifier that lent itself to more than one explanation. Understanding the Bible requires that we look at the whole of the scriptures with an understanding of context as well. Jesus clearly said that the path to heaven is narrow and difficult, whereas the path to the place of weeping and gnashing of teeth is wide and open. Meaning that most people will go to hell and less will go to heaven.
Matthew 7:13-14
[13] “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. [14] For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
Luke 13:24
[24] “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.
Matthew 19:24-26
[24] Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” [25] When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” [26] But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 24:9-14
[9] “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. [10] And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. [11] And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. [12] And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. [13] But the one who endures to the end will be saved. [14] And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
Acts 2:21
[21] And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Romans 9:27-29
[27] And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the sons of Israel be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will be saved, [28] for the Lord will carry out his sentence upon the earth fully and without delay.” [29] And as Isaiah predicted,
If the Lord of hosts had not left us offspring, we would have been like Sodom and become like Gomorrah.
So I could go on. But I think this is MORE than enough evidence to show that heaven is not for all mankind, but hell is sadly for most people. We should then be more motivated to preach the gospel to unbelievers knowing what their end is.