The Inescapable Love of God [Paperback]

Thomas Talbott (Author)

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From the Publisher

From the Preface: "This set of reflections is neither a textbook nor a piece of scholarly research. It neither summarizes a specific field of study for students nor advances scholarship in some area of research. It is instead (what I would call) a real book, by which I mean that in it I have tried to reach the most demanding audience of all: that of educated non-specialists. The book is in part an intellectual autobiography, in part the elaboration of an argument, and in part an attempt at persuasive writing. In these pages, I have sought to share with others, particularly those who call themselves "Christians," some of my own deepest convictions about the nature of God and the world. I have sought to work out, with some degree of consistency, the idea that the universe really is an expression of love, as some of the mystics from many traditions have always insisted."

Part I chronicles some of Talbott's early theological struggles and how he came to embrace a doctrine of universal reconciliation: the wondrous idea that God's love will inevitably triumph in the end and finally transform every created person. Part II sets forth the positive case for his contention that universalism is a plain and obvious teaching of the New Testament. And finally, Part III explores some of the logical inconsistencies in competing theological systems.

Product Details

• Paperback: 235 pages
• Publisher: Universal Publishers; 1st edition (October 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581128312
• ISBN-13: 978-1581128314
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #61,823 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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51 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Compelling and Detailed Argument for Universalism, November 7, 2003

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M. McClung (Hamilton, AL USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Inescapable Love of God (Paperback)

I read Talbott's book ("studied" and "absorbed" might be better words than just "read") after studying "If Grace is True" by Pastors Phillip Gulley & James Mulholland. Both of these books are arguments for a Universalist view of the Gospel -- that is, God will through His love and grace ultimately reconcile all persons to Himself; some people may end up in a place of punishment such as Hell for a time, but that will not be permanent and everlasting. If I found Gulley & Mulholland's book to be compelling (and I certainly did for the most part), Talbott's is twice as good. "The Inescapable Love of God" is more systematically researched, more Biblically-based, more scholarly in every way than "If Grace Is True." Talbott is a professor of philosophy and religion at a university in Oregon, and eagerly embraces his belief in Jesus and a love for Christianity. His background in philosophy allows him to apply the best logic I've ever heard or read to the study of Christianity. Plus, Talbott doesn't have that wacky, radical view of the role of Jesus that Gulley & Mulholland offer in chapter five of "If Grace Is True."

Talbott, Gulley, and Mulholland offer a refreshing and logical view of Christianity that I certainly welcome having spent thirty years in the Baptist church where much of the time the only incentive and motivation taught for becoming a Christian was/is fear.

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, someone who thinks like me!!!, February 15, 2005

By 

Molly S. Waggoner "mollysidera" (Minneapolis, MN USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Inescapable Love of God (Paperback)

After acquiring a degree in Biblical & Theological Studies at a college that is steeped in the Calvinist/Arminian debate, I found myself unable to accept either theological position. While I appreciated the importance of God's sovereignty espoused by Calvinists, I could not accept the way they developed it, which seemed to create a God more interested in his own "glory" than in the wellbeing of his children. I could not worship a God who created people simply to send them to hell. On the other hand, the libertarian free will upon which Arminians insist seems necessary, but results in a rather ineffective or unloving God. Did he not foresee that so many humans would end up in hell? If not, how wise could he be? If so, why did he create in the first place? [Example: I would not have a child if I knew s/he would suffer for a lifetime, and if I "though [I am] evil" would sacrifice my desire for a child for the good of that same, as-yet-unconceived child, "how much more [would our] Father in heaven" forego creating people if he knew they would suffer eternally (idea based on Mt. 7:11/Lk. 11:13)?] If the "traditional" understanding of hell is true, I see no way of getting around these issues, and Mr. Talbott seems to appreciate this dilemma. I found myself thinking, "YES!" as he objected to assumptions that go all but unquestioned by the majority of Christians. In other words, he really thinks critically about Christian doctrine, rather than simply swallowing certain aspects of it without considering potential problems and contradictions within then.

Fortunately, there is a way to maintain both God's ultimate sovereignty and human freedom... and simultaneously affirm that all will be saved! Mr. Talbott puts forward a number of strong arguments, though he certainly does not exhaust all the biblical passages that we must exegete before decisively deciding the case. One of his first points is well taken, however: We can find verses that, at least from a face value reading, support Calvinist, Arminian, and universalist positions. Both Calvinists and Arminians must interpret challenging passages in a way that will allow them to hold consistenly and logically to their belief. There are surely passages that speak of the salvation of all people, so why is universalism any different? In fact, it may be the simplest to defend, since the Arminian "proof texts" show that God desire to save all people, and the Calvinist texts show that he is able to accomplish his redemptive purposes. These competing doctrines have done a significant portion of the work for universalists, since universal reconciliation simply affirms the core tenets of both doctrines! Talbott rightly insists that we at least place universalism on the table in this area of debate.

I had hoped that this book would delve into more biblical passages that seem to support the doctrine of eternal/everlasting damnation. But Talbott focuses instead on building a positive case for universal reconciliation, which he does quite well. Certain passages make so much more sense given his line of thinking [Example: the idea that some people will be saved through fire (1 Cor. 3:15)]. He does also defend universal reconciliation in light of the infamous sheep/goats teaching in Matthew 25, used so often to dismiss the notion of universalism. While there are other passages that we must re-interpret in order to reject the traditional view of hell, I am very grateful for this book. Some works out there (for example, "If Grace is True," by Gulley & Mulholland) simply reject the infallibility of the Bible and the necessity of Jesus' work, so they no longer teach Christian universalism, but rather a form of pluralism. Talbott, on the other hand, maintains an assumption of biblical authority and atonement through Christ, so evangelical Christians who are drawn to the idea of universal reconciliation need not fear that such core beliefs will be discarded in this book.

Talbott responds to scholars who challenge his ideas (and those of other universalists) in the book "Universal Salvation? The Current Debate," edited by Robin Parry and Christopher Partridge, which I also recommend. That book has a website (www.universalsalvation.net), with links to other sites/articles that are helpful to people who want to search out further evidence in the issue of universalism.

51 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Dark Underbelly of Protestant Theology Exposed, March 10, 2004

By 

Dean Britton (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Inescapable Love of God (Paperback)

After witnessing 9/11 firsthand, I reflected on my faith with many others in NYC, while criticizing Islam for believing that non-Muslims were "infidels" worthy of death. My non-Christian friends responded "Youu Christians say the same thing - believe in Jesus, or burn in hell forever". Well, yeah, but we try not to think or talk about it too much. (Not an acceptable answer) This led to hours of biblical study and reflection, which culminated in finding this book.

I believe in the inerrancy of Scripture, the reality of hell, and the ultimate and universal Triumph of Christ over Hell, Death and Sin. Talbott lays out this belief in a way that is strongly biblically supported and rigorously (!) logical. He also lays out the historical reasons for the theological ascendency Augustinian/Calvinist doctrine, with it's Biblically dubious doctrine of "limited atonement" (wherein Christ asks that you love your neighbor, but He Himself may not if they are not "elect".)

This is not a "tree-hugger" book. This is a book for serious Christians and seekers of all types who have difficulty reconciling their personal experience of God's Character with the implications of mainline Protestant theology.

Is God both All-Loving and All-Powerful? A robust and well-argued "Yes!"