The problem of the 1200 year gap


As we will see more and more, there are lots of problems with Universal Salvation. But one to talk about in passing, as we think about the previous posted material, (and I do my last bit of blogging before I turn in) is the problem of the 1200 year gap. That's not an exact figure, but a guesstimation.


Anyway here's the situation.


This dogma (outside of some vague mystical saying of Orthodox saints etc.) basically disappears off the face of the map for well over a millenia. And I am getting way ahead of myself since I haven't even talked about Origen and Origenism yet....


But Origenism seems to dieout sometime after 553 in the EO, and from what I can tell within the Coptic Church much sooner.


From a dogmatic standpoint this raises a problem with the teaching when we consider such things as apostolic succession, the nature of Paradosis (Holy Tradition), and the Catholicity of the Church (Which isn't just being everywhere but is the Church "At very time" not just every place) and even more importantly what we know about God and his faithfulness to perserve a "Chosen Remnant", "To keep his promises" and so on.


These notions and idea that Universal Salvation is somehow the "Truth of God" that disappeared from the Church goes against such verses as:



16:18
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, F32 and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.


1 Corinthians 3:11-15
11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.


Isaiah 1:9
Unless the Lord of hosts Had left to us a very small remnant, We would have become like Sodom, We would have been made like Gomorrah


Ezekiel 6:8-10
8 "Yet I will leave a remnant, so that you may have some who escape the sword among the nations, when you are scattered through the countries. 9 Then those of you who escape will remember Me among the nations where they are carried captive, because I was crushed by their adulterous heart which has departed from Me, and by their eyes which play the harlot after their idols; they will loathe themselves for the evils which they committed in all their abominations. 10 And they shall know that I am the Lord; I have not said in vain that I would bring this calamity upon them."


1 Kings 19:

13 So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" 14 And he said, "I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life."

.....

"18 Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him."

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