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What one first must realize is that in the Quakers/Friends is the belief that each individual has the "light" within. Somewhere along life's pathway, that "light" is acknowledged and thereby, interaction with God takes place. So, in that line of thinking, Gulley & Mulholland's bood is just a futher process in that thought.

Darryl is certainly right in noting the centrality of belief in the Inward Light in Quaker theology. From the beginning of the Quaker movement, Friends have recognized the reality of a universal and saving light and life in human lives - both from scripture (John 1:9) and from their own experience. Two important additions to this understanding, though: 1) This light is not mere metaphor; it is the very presence of Jesus Christ, and thus ALL people do have access to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, whether they have heard the name or not - for Christ is present in reality; 2) This light can be resisted. If obeyed, one is led to salvation; if resisted, one is led to condemnation.

Now, is God's grace irresistable enough as to pursue one until ALL are saved? It seems to argue for the transmigration of souls to me, and I have no experience or knowledge sufficient to posit the existence of that. What Gulley and Mulholland are arguing, however, is not that we don't have an obligation to share OUR experience of God's grace and love. An experience of the saving light compels one to share that experience, lead them to the light of Christ in their own lives, and leave them there.

The fascinating issue is a tad different from what is usually presented. There is no question (in my mind) that God wants everyone to be saved. However, scripture is also clear about the issue of judgement.
So, I believe the question comes down to: "Will God wait forever for someone to repent?" If so, then everyone will be saved. If not, if there is a specific "last chance", and scripture certainly has passages which can be quoted in that context, then some would people would not be saved.
OR, as I prefer to phrase it, some people who choose not to be saved.
The Book of Revelation suggests there is some time after physical death to grow in our relationship with God. Most churches say: Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead --- will sure suggests the judgement has not happened yet!
The bottom line however is that we should all live into God's kingdom now, and not wait for some future time.

Great conversation. Here's my question: How does one reconcile the idea that God will pursue each and every one of us, saving each and every one of us, with the many biblical references to the narrow and wide gates?
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it." Matthew 7:13 (NIV).

This all makes for a nice "feel good" theology and no doubt sells many books, but simply cannot be squared with the whole of Scripture. This particular passage is plain, that apart from the work of Jesus Christ (which we learn elsewhere in the Bible must be individually received), there is no hope of Heaven:

"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." (1 Corinthians 6:9-11 ESV)

As a person steeped in the Wesleyan tradition, I tend to be more interested in deeds than creeds. However, I am continually amazed at those who feel the need to assure themselves of their own salvation by finding "proof" (Scriptural or otherwise) that others are damned. It is as though a child who wants to be loved by their parent insists that their brothers and sisters cannot also be loved, because there is only enough love for him/her self. The God I worship is eternal and omnipotent. The God I worship has been defined by the writer of John as "Love." Indeed, this wonderful and divinely inspired writer has said, "Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God." Do you know anyone, anyone at all, who has not at one point or another in his/her life not loved? And so, all have known, to some degree, God and been known by God. This same God loves without reservation and without the limits of time. And so, who am I who am able only to see through a glass darkly as St. Paul puts it so well, to say that anyone is condemned to damnation without any hope, in all of God's eternity, of salvation. I am not God, and do not understand nor comprehend the fullness of God, and cannot assume that in my very limited and human form I can make such a determination.

I agree with Gary. You must look at the whole of scripture instead of only choosing certain passages. God is love, but HE is also HOLY and his holiness demands judgement. NONE of us are worthy to enter His Presence without the blood of Christ. It does not mean that someone wishes to be the "lucky one" who gets in; it is right there in the Bible (for example the passage cited by Nancy). Do not forget that the Lord Jesus Christ says, "Many shall come to me in that day saying, 'Lord, Lord. Did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Depart from me you evildoers.'" (Matthew 8:22-23, also see verse 21). Read also the parable of the weeds (or the wheat and the tares)in Matthew 13:24-30 and the explanation in verses 36-43) and the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25:31-46 where the Lord makes it plain that all who appear to be believers are not and that the works we do for Him are the fruit of our faith.

As a liberal Christian, I don't deny that the Bible could be read as to prove a literal and eternal hell. However, as a person of God given reason, I can not nor would I worship a God who would torture people for all eternity. Heck, I wouldn't even want that God as a neighbor. The God I worship is the God of Love.

Many of the early church fathers were universalists (Origen, etc.). I believe that the overall message of the Bible is that God is All in All and in the end will not lose one precious soul.

I encourage everyone to come hear Phil and Jim at First Friends Meeting on Sunday morning (11:00 AM) or at New Garden Friends (www.ngfm.org) at 7:00 PM Sunday night (Feb. 27). Agree or disagree, come and hear what these fine men have to say.

Peace!