Of course, this passage and it’s similar one found in Mt. 7 begs the question how many will be damned and how many will be saved? Augustine & Aquinas take the position that most will be damned.
Balthasar attempts to use Eastern Greek Fathers to argue for a sort of hopeful universalism. Hell must be an affirmed doctrine, but can we hope that all will be saved? Is there a distinction between hoping/wishing?
I take Ralph Martin’s approach to the question, which is why evangelization is so important to both Martin and me. I take Christ at His word, so I’m going to preach the saving power of the gospel because it’s likely that most will not enter the narrow gate. Nonetheless, if Balthasar is correct, and most are saved, glory be to God. The Lord still called me to that mission.
This is an excellent reflection. As I read this, two things personally stood out to me. One was the word surrender. I am good at saying, Lord please do this and that for me, but it doesn't accur to me to add from my will and heart " not my will but thy will be done"! That is surrender to the Lord. The second thought that came to me is this. Jesus, to summarize and paraphrase, promised good things for me, to care abd give me hope. However, there are times in my life, like now,where nothing is good. And I think so much for that promise. However, Jesus was not just promising for this life. He was speaking of life after this life. It hit me. This life is brief! A blink of an eye! Eternal life is forever.It never ends. Of course its more important! One thinks of these things when 75!!! But its true for us all!
Of course, this passage and it’s similar one found in Mt. 7 begs the question how many will be damned and how many will be saved? Augustine & Aquinas take the position that most will be damned.
Balthasar attempts to use Eastern Greek Fathers to argue for a sort of hopeful universalism. Hell must be an affirmed doctrine, but can we hope that all will be saved? Is there a distinction between hoping/wishing?
I take Ralph Martin’s approach to the question, which is why evangelization is so important to both Martin and me. I take Christ at His word, so I’m going to preach the saving power of the gospel because it’s likely that most will not enter the narrow gate. Nonetheless, if Balthasar is correct, and most are saved, glory be to God. The Lord still called me to that mission.
This is an excellent reflection. As I read this, two things personally stood out to me. One was the word surrender. I am good at saying, Lord please do this and that for me, but it doesn't accur to me to add from my will and heart " not my will but thy will be done"! That is surrender to the Lord. The second thought that came to me is this. Jesus, to summarize and paraphrase, promised good things for me, to care abd give me hope. However, there are times in my life, like now,where nothing is good. And I think so much for that promise. However, Jesus was not just promising for this life. He was speaking of life after this life. It hit me. This life is brief! A blink of an eye! Eternal life is forever.It never ends. Of course its more important! One thinks of these things when 75!!! But its true for us all!