One Name to Salvation or Univeralism

There are some popular believes spouted by the majority:

1. A loving God could not send anyone to hell.
2. All religions are the same.
3. We all serve the same God by different names.
4. Everyone is going to heaven.
5. I've been good. I deserve heaven.
6. We must be tolerant and inclusive.
7. I must be true to myself.
8. etc.

These simple-minded statements are wishful thinking because mankind consists of disobedient people. Simply put, most people believe that they've been good enough and deserve heaven! As such their faith is their own "self". "Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs" pretty mush describes that religious viewpoint. Indeed self-actualization is a humanistic attempt to glorify the self, culminating in a "peak experience". A "peak experience"is when one "sees the light", or is illuminated.

Self-improvement, driven by the acceptance of others is called the "Hawthorne Effect". People are driven to do better, not to please God, but because they have the attention of their superiors, clients and colleagues. In effect, their "self" is elevated by the approval of others! (Even writer's such as I must be careful to write for the right reasons. Is it to elevate the "self" or is it to magnify God? In honesty, this is my ministry and I want my legacy to be one of obedience. My desire is that God, when  my silver cord is severed, accepts me in spite of my own elevation of self. I ask forgiveness in advance, because I'm unworthy, but hopeful!)

This attempt to self-actualize derives from Hinduism. Of course, there is illumination in Christianity: That's the point in time when a sinner realizes the error of his ways and thinking and turns to Jesus for hope. He realizes that salvation cannot be achieved by oneself and that his eternal destiny depends on another. That "other" is not the "self" and is by Jesus' death on the cross to save those unworthy because we haven't the power to grant eternal life to anyone. Jesus' propitiation of his own blood and life was for all mankind such that we all can be redeemed. Jesus' death on the cross in place of each of us is called "grace". When a person understands this concept, accepts it, and submits their own "self" as a living sacrifice, they are safe from utter eternal destruction. When this happens, the person is a follower of Christ and is "illuminated"! Christianity is the only religion offering free salvation. In the others, it must be earned!

On the other hand psychological "illumination" (enlightenment) is a Hindu concept. It's when the soul is freed from eternal reincarnations and suffering. It's when one is in union with Brahman and is liberated from the "self". Probably more in line is the Buddhist philosophy that one's insight becomes so intense that one is liberated and the mind is at peace. 

There is a BIG difference between illumination in a Christian concept and the same term in pagan religions! Likewise, some believe a "peak experience" can be nirvana, being at peace with oneself or even salvation. However, the level preceding the "peak experience", self-actualization" precludes Christian salvation as being a peak-experience. Why? Because "doing things" to elevate oneself is in direct contradiction to Holy Scripture:

Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Salvation is a gift. Gifts are free and are not earned. There is no way to work for salvation and such work is as "filthy rags" in God's eyes (Isaiah 64:6).

There is no "psychological" route to heaven. In fact psychology (the study of the soul) is a religion in direct opposition to Christianity! I mention it because some include it as a way to earn salvation or at least peace, and it's included in the doctrine called "universalism".

Universalism is described as:

 "... is a religious, theological, and philosophical concept with universal application or applicability...

In terms of religion, in a broad sense, universalism claims that religion is a universal human quality... Religion in this context is defined as a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.

In some sects of Christianity,'universal reconciliation' is the doctrine that all sinful and alienated human souls — because of divine love and mercy — will ultimately be reconciled to God. 'Unitarian Universalism' believes that religion is a universal human quality, emphasizing the universal principles of most religions and accepting other religions in an inclusive manner, believing in a universal reconciliation between humanity and the divine. Universalism has had a strong influence on modern Hinduism, in turn influencing western modern spirituality.

A community that calls itself universalist may emphasize the universal principles of most religions and accept other religions in an inclusive manner, believing in a universal reconciliation between humanity and the divine." (Wikipedia: Universalism).

First off, Christians should believe in "Christian Univeralism".

 Romans 10:13 "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

That "whosoever" is "all". Christ died for everyone. His blood was shed universally for all sinners and the kingdom of God is available to all. (The Latin word "catholic" means "universal")

With that said, we need to turn to pagan univeralism, referring to those religions, philosophies and psychologies outside Judeo-Christianity. Each of those place themselves on equal footing with the One True God and his incarnation, Jesus Christ. Universalism, in attempting to be "tolerant", opens it's doors for everybody. Everyone, good and bad, will go to heaven. Everyone without regard to what they have faith in, will go to heaven. Worship of any and all gods is man's desire to worship the One True God (all gods are God). People can even make it to heaven on their own! Indeed all those ideas can be reduced to one tenet: The "self" is the way to heaven!

Surprise! Universalism is tolerant. It includes "Christians". They too can go to heaven. However, ironically, "Christians" who believe in universalism don't believe in the teachings of Jesus Christ, hence are false Christians. It's strange that universalists include everybody in their plan for salvation except for those who believe in and practice the gospel of Jesus Christ!

I don't want to be unloving, intolerant nor condemning, but here is what scripture says it takes to be saved:

Acts 4:6 "And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, 9 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; 10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

It's the one which other religions reject. It's the one the "self" rejects. Salvation is by one person and one person alone: Jesus Christ! And when we are so illuminated, the Holy Ghost enters the Christian.

Jesus made the crippled man "whole". Those of the  "self-improvement" Maslovian thought believe "wholeness" is completion in a physical and spiritual sense. It's through the works of the "self" that wholeness is achieved. Jesus made the crippled man healthy and saved! To be made "whole" is when a person trusts in Jesus Christ for his eternal destiny. It's not when he (or she) becomes aware of his (or her) self identity. Indeed, being "true to one self" is being at odds with God.. The only truth the "self" can have for salvation is that the "self" can't save!

Universalism and its scientific (sic) counterpart, psychology, are two routes to the same gate. They lead to the path of destruction.

There is power in Jesus' name! Calling on his name is what saves. Calling on one's self is an effort in futility, and believing other gods have any power at all, is the lie of Satan. He wants you to believe that; he wants everyone to believe that all will make it to heaven by whatever god the selfish "self" chooses to assign to one's self. Don't be deluded! Serving other gods is in effect serving one's self, because the "self" is doing what it wants to do. It's you being of the mindset "I know more than God!", who forbids other gods: your own egotistical will!