Hi Richard – you are probably correct here, though My experience has been somewhat different in that most of the folks I worship/discuss with believe in annihilation which they hold to be far superior to ECT. (Which, if those were the only two choices, probably is superior…)
But I’ve found that if the discussion comes down to us asserting that the other one is not reading their bibles completely, or objectively, or with understanding, the case is already lost.
What I hear you talking about here, and I quite agree, is that there really are tensions and possible contradictions that the bible seems to set up for us: a God who both destroys and saves; a God who judges and has mercy; a God who strikes, yet heals; a God who punishes vs a God who relents. So it’s as if we are forced to chose one extreme or the other. No synthesis allowed.
As you say however, it is rather curious that so many choose to retain the picture of God punishing and destroying in lieu of the God who does those things yes, (we in UR have never denied any of that) but does them so that He may save!
I am coming to appreciate that the guarantee of judgment is the guarantee of salvation! God judges so that He can save. There are many examples where God speaks of judgment in terms that are tender, nurturing, encouraging, hopeful even:
“Praise God! for He comes to judge…” (Psalm 96:11-13)
Malachi 3:5 “Then I will draw near to you for judgment”
Isaiah 41:1 “Let us come together for judgment.”
Ezekiel 20:34-36 “…so I will enter into judgment with you," declares the Lord GOD.”
Isaiah 26:9 “… For when the earth experiences Your judgments The inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.”
Ezekiel 34:15-17 I will feed My flock and I will lead them to rest," declares the Lord GOD….I will feed them with judgment.
Then of course all the places in scripture where judgement is harshly rendered, but the results are healing and salvation! (the root of the word “salvation” being “salve” – which is more about healing than punishing…) Like Is 19, Eze 16.
But the thing which bothers me most I think about this different emphasis in reading the bible, is the question
***“To what purpose does God judge/punish/destroy?” ***
For both ECT proponents, and annihilationists, it seems that punishment is the purpose; nothing else is served! It’s little more than a way or place of disposing of the bodies! But for me this presents a horrible theodicy problem for God; for evil is not thereby destroyed, but is instead enshrined in perpetuity.
Thankfully, God is far more creative (and thorough) in dealing with sin and evil than either ECT or annihilation believers give Him credit for: He destroys evil doers by making them His friends! His purposes for the entire creation are eventually realized and He is victorious in every possible way.
So I hear you calling for a much more comprehensive telling of the bible story when we speak of the God of UR. Would be hard to agree more Richard!
Bobx3