The Evangelical Universalist Forum

Romans 10-20 and universal salvation

Hi Everyone,

I am new here. Sorry if I didn’t do enough research and ask a question that was already replied by someone else. I tried to search for the treatment of this particular passage (or similar others), but could not find an answer.
Anyhow, I am trying to make peace between belief in universal salvation (or more precisely Evangelical version) and various passages in Bible, like for example the one mentioned in subject :

10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:
14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:
15 Their feet are swift to shed blood:
16 Destruction and misery are in their ways:
17 And the way of peace have they not known:
18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.
19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

(KJV)

What does it tells us about atheists or adherents of different religions who died never believing in Jesus, even though supposedly tried to live good lives ?
Will be glad to hear your thoughts. Thank you

Hi towstt

Your questions are welcome :slight_smile:

These verses apply to all people including future Christians, not just “atheists” etc. These scriptures appear to be talking about all humanity before salvation in Christ. Since Christ has died and risen again, we can have life - the law has no effect any more. Verses like these seem to make it clear that we do not save ourselves but God awakens in us a desire for Him which leads to salvation.

Universalists don’t usually (that I know of) believe that people will be saved before they die, but that all will be saved sometime throughout the future ages. There are many, many verses that heavily imply (If not, state) that God will save all people.