Argumentative Essay

Posted by Winnie Melda on October 18th, 2018

Argumentative Essay

            Salvation from a Christian perspective is the deliverance from sin and its effects that Christians believe that it is brought about by faith. In some instances, the Bible uses the term salvation to refer to the temporal and physical deliverance like what Paul underwent when in Prison. The argumentative essay focuses on the discussion of the hope for universal salvation as presented in the work of Hans Urs Von Balthasar and also a personal response to the theory.  

The work of Hans Urs Von Balthasar

            The Swiss theologian Von Balthasar was not a Universalist, and his teachings regarded eternity. He claimed that it is difficult to know either way whether all people will be saved or whether two eternal outcomes of salvation and damnation will be achieved (Brumley, 2013). It is curious to characterize that he advocates for universalism regarding salvation having commenced his writings with the statement that all human beings are under divine judgment. According to the writings, one thing he is clearly not saying is that there is adequate evidence that all people will not be saved. However, his statement that Hell might be empty of human beings is controversial.

            Balthasar speaks of Paul’s exhortations to confidence and hope in Christ who is the judge and has borne the sins of everyone. However, he insisted that people cannot be troubled about the certainty of their salvation. Some theologians have argued that people whom Christ died may not reach their final destination in God and may suffer in damnation. However, Balthasar explains that people ought to avoid admitting to such possibilities. They should ignore the threats and dismiss them. Everyone stands under judgment, and their outcome is not determined, and there is no real likelihood of damnation (Brumley, 2013). Thus, Balthasar claimed that there is hope, but not the certainty of universal salvation.

            Balthasar tried to demonstrate from Scripture that there is a possibility of universal salvation. He contends damnation as a real possibility. The statement that “Dare we hope that all men be saved” focuses on the possibility of all people being saved and not on the danger of damnation which he accepts (Brumley, 2013). The biblical texts that state the two outcomes of Heaven and Hell and also the salvation of all are used by theologians to explain their understanding on damnation. They claim that the salvation of all texts refers to God’s offer of salvation to all and the two outcomes demonstrate that some people will accept the offer and others will not. However, Balthasar does not combine them and considers them to be contradictory. According to him, the texts explain that some people will be saved and others lost, or all will be saved.

            Balthasar explains the set of Biblical texts to be realized depends on how human history comes into play. The premise that nobody is certain of how things will turn out makes Balthasar argue that nobody should write off as damned nor presume that everybody will be saved. As a summary of Balthasar’s theory, there are two controlling principles of the two-outcome scenario of salvation and damnation and single-outcome scenario of salvation for all. Thus, people should hope for the realization of the salvation for all and also take the possibility of the other scenario seriously. As evident in the writings, Balthasar does not offer a definite case for salvation.

Response and justification

            In my view, salvation is an act of God’s grace to deliver people from sin and condemnation and accord them the promise of eternal life. I disagree with the theory presented by Balthasar that we are uncertain of what will happen after judgment. I also contend with the explanation that we should hope for salvation for all men. From the Christian teachings, salvation came to the world through the sacrifice of Jesus by God as a ransom for all the sins of the world. However, only those who believe in Him are termed as His children through the Son Jesus Christ. As Romans 10:9 states that whoever believes in their heart that God raised him from the dead and declared with the mouth that Jesus is Lord will be saved. Thus, salvation is for the willing and not to everybody in the world despite the desire of God being that all people be saved.

            In time before Christ, people lived in sin, and there was no way God would accept them as His. However, the remission of the sins of humankind on the cross by Jesus Christ gave a through way to reach to the Father. The possibility of universal salvation is far from realization since only the people who believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus and also proclaim that He is their Lord and savior are saved. God’s grace appeared to all people, but not everyone subscribes to the benefits of the grace and hence is not expected to be saved. As Balthasar explains, there is a two-outcome scenario of salvation and damnation that Christians believe in that makes them consider their salvation as worth living. The believe that there are hell and heaven clarifies that salvation is not for all since those who believe in Jesus have a place in heaven and those who do not are expected to go to Hell.

            I think that the misuse of Balthasar’s theory undervalues the missionary impulse. If there is a hope that all will be saved, and then there is no point of evangelizing. The Biblical teachings have regard to what Jesus commissioned the disciples to do; spreading the good news to all corners of the earth. Thus, if there is the expected hope of salvation for all, Jesus could not commission the disciples to spread the gospel since after all, it would be a waste of time. However, Balthasar did not say that all are guaranteed heaven, but he takes a position that seems to sway more on it rather than salvation and damnation. Christians have an obligation to evangelize and ensure that all people receive the good news since God's grace universal. The conviction should enhance the missionary motivation that some people will be damned.

            Christians ought to hope, pray, and work for the salvation of all as a means that God realizes the universal salvation. It is important to follow what one belief leads to the right way of life without being influenced by what theologians teach since each has a personal understanding of salvation and judgment which is not validated.          

Defense of the meaning of 1 Tim 2:3-4

            In defense of the meaning of 1 Tim 2: 3-4, I presume that Paul was inspired by the Holy Spirit to shed light on God’s desire for humanity. It is evident that God has a plan for saving all humans from sin by letting them know the truth. However, the Bible clarifies that not all people will be saved since it only talks of those who believe in Him through Jesus Christ. What Paul says that is good is that all people in authority lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty. It is a call to all people to live in godliness and honesty since it is pleasant and God to God our savior.

            A close analysis of the selected text shows that there are obligations for all humans to fulfill for them to receive salvation. As the Bible teaches in Romans 10:9, the first qualifying factor to salvation is believing in Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection as well as confessing Him as Lord and Savior. In John, the Bible clarifies that there is no other way to the father unless through Jesus Christ. The same is evident in John 1:12 that state that those who believed in him are given the right to become the Children of God. All the highlighted biblical texts explain that everyone will be saved as first Timothy states, but there are issues to fulfill. God’s will is that everyone is saved and know the truth, but its realization requires Christians to evangelize about the truth of Salvation to all people. The fact that God has a desire for all to be saved does not make him overlook the misuse of His grace by those who do not believe in him and consequently may not receive salvation.                 

Reference

Brumley M. (2013) Did Hans Urs Von Balthasar Teach that everyone will certainly be Saved? The Catholic World Report

Sherry Roberts is the author of this paper. A senior editor at Melda Research in best nursing writing services if you need a similar paper you can place your order for custom nursing papers.

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Winnie Melda

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Winnie Melda
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