Primitive Baptist Universalist
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Baptists
The Primitive Baptist Universalists (or PBUs) are a Calvinist Christian Universalist sect based primarily in the central Appalachian region of the United States. They are popularly known as "No-Hellers" due to their belief (unlike most other Christian denominations) that there is no Hell per se, but that Hell is actually experienced in this life.[1][2] Although they did not split as a denomination away from other Primitive Baptists until 1924, they have been theologically distinct as Universalists since at least 1907, when the minutes of the Washington District Primitive Baptist Association record a reproval:
Resolved, that whereas, we have been troubled with the doctrine of universalism that we advise the churches that if they have any elders preaching such heresies, or members arguing it, that they admonish them to quit preaching it or talking it, and if they fail to hear them to withdraw fellowship from such, and especially we admonish Hale Creek church to admonish Elder M. L. Compton to refrain from such doctrine.
[edit] Summary of theology
Universal reconciliation: Christ's atonement was for all humanity, and at Resurrection all humanity will be reunited with Christ for an eternity in Heaven.
Hell is a factor of the temporal world, where temporal sins will be punished by an increased separation from God.
Satan is an entity solely of the temporal world, existing only as "natural man" warring against "spiritual man."
Sin, punishment, and death are factors only of the temporal world, thus ceasing to exist after Resurrection, and sin is punished in the temporal world by a separation from God.
The joy of righteousness is its own reward, so retribution and reward are needed only for the here and now.[3]
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GJ - So we can see why so many WELS leaders are attracted to Church Growth Babtists like Stetzer and Stanley. They are going back to their UOJ roots. There are some differences, but Enthusiasm is fairly similar the world over. Making the Atonement of Christ a universal absolution is not surprising for any group denying or "downplaying" (Valleskey) the Means of Grace.
Synodical Conference types cannot see this because they do not really understand Calvinism or the Confessions. Someone like Herman Otten, a true Bronze Age Missourian, will publicly state his agreement with the Brief Confession (not in the Book of Concord) instead of the Book of Concord itself.
The CFW Walther/JP Meyer advocacy of Universal Objective Justification--absolving the world without the Word - or even a text citation--paved the way for Church Growth apostasy.
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Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "UOJ from the Calvinistic Babtists":
While synod leaders have a lot to learn, they will never admit it or learn it. It is easier to act with an air of authority. One problem, however: they have lost their moral authority and members are realizing it.
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Kit from Wisconsin has left a new comment on your post "UOJ from the Calvinistic Babtists":
Whoa, I spend my day telling students not to use Wikipedia as a reference for anything.... :) I am disappinted in you.
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GJ - This is what I get for doing extra research! I knew of the Babtist Unitarians only through Wikipedia, so I gave credit where it is due. L P Cruz has written some good comments about Calvinism and UOJ. I plan on using those insights in my book on justification. Yes, Kit, I wean students off Wikipedia too, but I still use it for background reading.
