Speratus,

I haven't participated in any of these conversations, although I have read them. But I just have to jump in here. It seems to me that while you desperately try to take a step away from universalism, what you posted above can only be understood as universalism.

For example:

Quote
He has entrusted to them the office of proclaiming the fact of the reconciliation of all men, the fact that God is actually reconciled to all men through Christ.

If a fact is still a fact, if reconciliation still means reconciliation, and actually still means actually, then how else must we read this statement? <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/igiveup.gif" alt="" />

Trust the past to God's mercy, the present to God's love and the future to God's providence." - St. Augustine
Hiraeth