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The Golden Thread: God's Promise of Universal Salvation
"The Golden Thread" "God's Promise of Universal Salvation"
In our modern pluralistic world, the barriers imposed by the old doctrine of religious exclusivity are confronted every day by individuals, families, and nations. Now more than ever, the inspirational message of God's Universal and eternal love for all humanity needs to be retold. By reacquainting readers with the God who is too good to condemn anyone to Eternal Hell, "The Golden Thread, God's Promise of Universal Salvation" offers a Biblical interpretation present in Christianity from the earliest Jesus-Followers to the 21st Century. Salvation for all is known as Universalism, and the idea that all people will be saved-either immediately or eventually-is called Universal Restoration.
Proponents of Universalism can be found today within a wide variety of denominations from post-Vatican II Catholics to Primitive Baptists. "The Golden Thread" brings together the Bible verses that ancient and modern Universalist theologians have used to show that God is the parent of all and, in the end, will save the 'Lost Sheep" and the 'Prodigal Son." "The Golden Thread" continues with 2,000 years of Christian mystical religious experience and modern-day near-death experiences-testimony to God's abiding love for all.
In our modern pluralistic world, the barriers imposed by the old doctrine of religious exclusivity are confronted every day by individuals, families, and nations. Now more than ever, the inspirational message of God's Universal and eternal love for all humanity needs to be retold. By reacquainting readers with the God who is too good to condemn anyone to Eternal Hell, "The Golden Thread, God's Promise of Universal Salvation" offers a Biblical interpretation present in Christianity from the earliest Jesus-Followers to the 21st Century. Salvation for all is known as Universalism, and the idea that all people will be saved-either immediately or eventually-is called Universal Restoration.
Proponents of Universalism can be found today within a wide variety of denominations from post-Vatican II Catholics to Primitive Baptists. "The Golden Thread" brings together the Bible verses that ancient and modern Universalist theologians have used to show that God is the parent of all and, in the end, will save the 'Lost Sheep" and the 'Prodigal Son." "The Golden Thread" continues with 2,000 years of Christian mystical religious experience and modern-day near-death experiences-testimony to God's abiding love for all.
- GenresReligion
136 pages, Paperback
First published August 5, 2005
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February 23, 2026
A BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL PRESENTATION
Ken Ray Vincent (1943-2024) was a counseling psychologist and professor at the University of Houston, and at Houston Community College; he was also webmaster for the Unitarian Universalist ‘Herald’ publication, and he was an active member of the Unitarian Universalist church in Houston.
He wrote in the Prologue to this 2005 book, “I had three childhood friends who were Jewish… and I was bothered when many adults told me that these non-Christian friends were destined for Hell!… My parents assured me that my Jewish friends would go to Heaven, but other relatives said, well---they HOPED so! Only my Great Aunt Alice offered what seemed to me to be the best possible scenario. She was a Universalist, and she was positive that ALL people went to Heaven! … her certitude inspired me to produce [this book] where you, the reader, can easily discover the ‘Golden Thread’ of Universal Salvation that weaves its way through both the … Old Testament and the New Testament… Universal Restoration has been an ongoing passion of mine for virtually all of my adult life. In researching this book, I have incorporated the thinking of Universalist scholars from earliest Christianity to the present… I hope that you will find comfort in the message of a loving God who is too good to condemn any of us to Eternal Hell.” (Pg. 1-2)
He begins Chapter 1, “Do you believe that people who are not Christians go to Heaven? If you have found it difficult to believe that a loving God would condemn non-Christians to Eternal Hell, then you will be interested in learning more about Universalism. Salvation for ALL is known as ‘Universalism,’ and the idea that ALL people will be saved---either immediately or ultimately---is called ‘Universal Restoration.’ This is not some New Age idea but an ancient truth that weaves its way like a Golden Thread throughout the same Holy Bible you have known since childhood! It has been embraced by Christians from the early Jesus Movement to modern Biblical scholars. Although some ministers seem reluctant to discard their threats of a terrifying, vengeful God, this book offers proof that the Bible is equally strewn with verses that describe a loving God… who desires that ALL of us be saved.” (Pg. 3)
He explains, “The first major Universalist Christian theologian whose work survives is Origen (185-254 CE)… Conservative Christians often use one verse from the Gospel of John as the cornerstone of their theology: ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’ (Pg. 14:6) Universalist theologians … interpret this passage to mean that salvation comes from following the teachings of Jesus rather than for adherence to some formula of belief… ‘Belief in Jesus’ brings salvation ONLY if it inspires the believer to DO GOOD DEEDS!… Second only to the number of Bible verses supporting Good Works are those verses supporting the theology of Universal Salvation. The two taken together (Good Works + Universal Salvation) form the case for Universal Restoration.” (Pg. 3-5)
He explains, “Jesus’ teachings beckon us toward a new dimension in our relationship to God that is best exemplified by his teachings in the Sermon on the Mount… Jesus set a much tougher standard than Moses: Don’t just BE good, DO good.” (Pg. 18)
He asks, “If Hell is not really ‘Eternal,’ what does Jesus mean when he says in the ‘Judgment of Nations’ that the ‘goats’ will be ‘punished FOREVER’ (Mt. 25:46)? Universalist scholar Thomas Talbott notes that the Greek word for ‘forever’ is better understood as ‘that which pertains to an age.’… Jesus indicates that punishment is not eternal but lasts only until you pay your ‘entire debt.'" (Mt. 18:34)
He suggests, “The case for Universalism in the Bible is best illustrated by Jesus in his parables of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Prodigal Son…. In the parable of the Lost Sheep, the 99 sheep safely in the fold represent the majority of humanity that has already been judged worthy. The wayward sheep does not make any effort to find its own way back… It is the shepherd (God) who takes an active role in searching for the one that has wandered off, just as God continuously seeks after humans who stray. Jesus says, ‘It is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.'" [Mt 18:14] (Pg. 28-29)
He states, “The Universalist theology that acknowledges a temporary ‘Hellish’ state for those who need some ‘shaping up’ before proceeding to their ultimate reward is termed more specifically ‘Restorative Universalism.’ In my book ‘Visions of God from the Near-Death Experience,’ I included a chapter on the ‘negative’ near-death experience, coupled with Hell as portrayed in sacred scriptures. My intention then was to present the topic of Universal Salvation in the world’s religions from a spiritual perspective … I want to show that Christian Universalism---a doctrine with support in the New Testament---blends seamlessly with the experience of the near-death experience.” (Pg. 53)
He acknowledges, however, “even Universalists have not been immune from internal disputes about specific details. For instance, Universalists have argued whether purification is instantaneous at the time of death or whether souls spend some time in Hell… Are the doors of Hell locked from the inside?… Modern Universalists also disagree on whether ALL are saved by Jesus alone or whether other religions also know the way to God.” (Pg. 69)
This book may appeal to many Christians studying Universalism.
Ken Ray Vincent (1943-2024) was a counseling psychologist and professor at the University of Houston, and at Houston Community College; he was also webmaster for the Unitarian Universalist ‘Herald’ publication, and he was an active member of the Unitarian Universalist church in Houston.
He wrote in the Prologue to this 2005 book, “I had three childhood friends who were Jewish… and I was bothered when many adults told me that these non-Christian friends were destined for Hell!… My parents assured me that my Jewish friends would go to Heaven, but other relatives said, well---they HOPED so! Only my Great Aunt Alice offered what seemed to me to be the best possible scenario. She was a Universalist, and she was positive that ALL people went to Heaven! … her certitude inspired me to produce [this book] where you, the reader, can easily discover the ‘Golden Thread’ of Universal Salvation that weaves its way through both the … Old Testament and the New Testament… Universal Restoration has been an ongoing passion of mine for virtually all of my adult life. In researching this book, I have incorporated the thinking of Universalist scholars from earliest Christianity to the present… I hope that you will find comfort in the message of a loving God who is too good to condemn any of us to Eternal Hell.” (Pg. 1-2)
He begins Chapter 1, “Do you believe that people who are not Christians go to Heaven? If you have found it difficult to believe that a loving God would condemn non-Christians to Eternal Hell, then you will be interested in learning more about Universalism. Salvation for ALL is known as ‘Universalism,’ and the idea that ALL people will be saved---either immediately or ultimately---is called ‘Universal Restoration.’ This is not some New Age idea but an ancient truth that weaves its way like a Golden Thread throughout the same Holy Bible you have known since childhood! It has been embraced by Christians from the early Jesus Movement to modern Biblical scholars. Although some ministers seem reluctant to discard their threats of a terrifying, vengeful God, this book offers proof that the Bible is equally strewn with verses that describe a loving God… who desires that ALL of us be saved.” (Pg. 3)
He explains, “The first major Universalist Christian theologian whose work survives is Origen (185-254 CE)… Conservative Christians often use one verse from the Gospel of John as the cornerstone of their theology: ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’ (Pg. 14:6) Universalist theologians … interpret this passage to mean that salvation comes from following the teachings of Jesus rather than for adherence to some formula of belief… ‘Belief in Jesus’ brings salvation ONLY if it inspires the believer to DO GOOD DEEDS!… Second only to the number of Bible verses supporting Good Works are those verses supporting the theology of Universal Salvation. The two taken together (Good Works + Universal Salvation) form the case for Universal Restoration.” (Pg. 3-5)
He explains, “Jesus’ teachings beckon us toward a new dimension in our relationship to God that is best exemplified by his teachings in the Sermon on the Mount… Jesus set a much tougher standard than Moses: Don’t just BE good, DO good.” (Pg. 18)
He asks, “If Hell is not really ‘Eternal,’ what does Jesus mean when he says in the ‘Judgment of Nations’ that the ‘goats’ will be ‘punished FOREVER’ (Mt. 25:46)? Universalist scholar Thomas Talbott notes that the Greek word for ‘forever’ is better understood as ‘that which pertains to an age.’… Jesus indicates that punishment is not eternal but lasts only until you pay your ‘entire debt.'" (Mt. 18:34)
He suggests, “The case for Universalism in the Bible is best illustrated by Jesus in his parables of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Prodigal Son…. In the parable of the Lost Sheep, the 99 sheep safely in the fold represent the majority of humanity that has already been judged worthy. The wayward sheep does not make any effort to find its own way back… It is the shepherd (God) who takes an active role in searching for the one that has wandered off, just as God continuously seeks after humans who stray. Jesus says, ‘It is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.'" [Mt 18:14] (Pg. 28-29)
He states, “The Universalist theology that acknowledges a temporary ‘Hellish’ state for those who need some ‘shaping up’ before proceeding to their ultimate reward is termed more specifically ‘Restorative Universalism.’ In my book ‘Visions of God from the Near-Death Experience,’ I included a chapter on the ‘negative’ near-death experience, coupled with Hell as portrayed in sacred scriptures. My intention then was to present the topic of Universal Salvation in the world’s religions from a spiritual perspective … I want to show that Christian Universalism---a doctrine with support in the New Testament---blends seamlessly with the experience of the near-death experience.” (Pg. 53)
He acknowledges, however, “even Universalists have not been immune from internal disputes about specific details. For instance, Universalists have argued whether purification is instantaneous at the time of death or whether souls spend some time in Hell… Are the doors of Hell locked from the inside?… Modern Universalists also disagree on whether ALL are saved by Jesus alone or whether other religions also know the way to God.” (Pg. 69)
This book may appeal to many Christians studying Universalism.
July 13, 2013
"The Golden Thread" by Dr. Ken R. Vincent is a brief but wonderful reading experience about the subject of ultimate reconciliation (or universal salvation). The book runs only 132 pages and costs about 12 dollars but its content is meaty enough, with plenty of scriptural references, both Old Testament and New, for support (thus the title "Golden Thread"), and is a delight to read. Dr. Ken Vincent is a very experienced writer of books and articles and so he knows well how to tell a story.
As the back of the books states, "Proponents of Christian Universalism can be found today within a wide variety of denominations from post-Vatican II Catholics to Primitive Baptists [Dr. Vincent is himself a Baptist]. 'The Golden Thread' brings together the Bible verses that ancient and modern Universalist theologians have used to show that God is the parent of all and, in the end, will save the 'Lost Sheep' and the 'Prodigal Son.'" Though, for me, it was a rather long and winding path in arriving at this same conclusion, nonetheless, arrived there I have. The back of the book continues, "In our modern pluralistic world, the barriers imposed by the old doctrine of religious exclusivity are confronted every day by individuals, families, and nations. Now more than ever, the inspirational message of God's Universal and eternal love for ALL humanity needs to be retold."
The belief in God's ultimate reconciliation of all peoples - past, present, and future - back to himself - even though it may occur across vast ages of time or even beyond the veil of death, is a view explicitly stated in 1st Corinthians chapter 15 (among many others passages) and was the predominant belief of the early church for the the first five centuries after Christ. In fact, there have always been universalists in the church, although the view waned for several centuries from about the mid-500s till about the late 1700s. It is a view, however, that is re-emerging, and personally I'm glad of it because I believe it is 100% Biblical and very liberating.
Dr. Vincent's book has two additional and interesting aspects tucked within its pages:
(1) he alludes to and applies the principle of 'microcosm and macrocosm' as it relates to individual human growth and development AND the anthropological history of civilization as a whole, i.e., humanity's 'spiritual growing up,' if you will. This struck me as reaffirming because I have often considered the same perspective and believe it has its merits. That is, the growth and development of the individual human being is roughly analogical to the spiritual and psychological growth and development of mankind as a whole, from Adam to all of us today. Jesus, the incarnate God, is, as the Bible says, the 'second' Adam, the 'new' Adam, and we are ALL bound up in the reality of his historical life, death, and resurrection. None can escape this universal event, though many are they that try. As the apostle Paul says, "As in Adam ALL men died, so in Christ ALL will be made alive." And as Jesus said, "But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw ALL men to myself." Here the words lifted up refer to his being lifted up on the cross as well as his ascension afterwards into heaven.
(2) Dr. Vincent discusses the countless testimonies now of those who have had 'near death experiences' (NDEs) and I think justifiably uses these to bolster the belief that when a person dies physically, his initial and immediate experience will be for him or her neither a permanent condition nor an unconscious void ("soul sleep"). For stubborn or spiteful unbelievers, yes, there is conscious rehabilitation - for "what we sow, we reap"; and for the believer there is paradise in the direct presence of the Lord. But both will be continuous states of spiritual growth and development, although the former (for the hard of heart who reject God) is extremely painful and not to be desired even for a moment. Having had a few near death experiences myself when I was a teenager, I think it was important for Dr. Vincent to include this chapter in his book. I can speak from personal experience that 'life' - perhaps better to say, 'personal existence with total awareness' - goes on after the heart stops' - we DO have a conscious soul. Having gone through that was the biggest influence in my attention being turned earnestly to God and the bigger questions of 'the meaning of life.' A near death experience is something you simply never forget. It is NEITHER a night dream nor a mere chemical and physiological process, as some atheistic or agnostic scientists may try to explain it away these days. It is 100% real and indelible in the person's mind and memory - and, best of all, true NDEs naturally confirm what the Bible already teaches.
Anyway, this is a good book. It can be read in one long sitting (or two) and is a valuable contribution to the essential understanding that God IS love, God loves ALL and will do anything to bring ALL home to him, eventually - that is, each in his own "order," "grouping," or "category" - "each in his own turn" - as Paul explains in 1 Cor. 15:20-28. That not only means on THIS side of death, but - if necessary - beyond the grave, as well. But it is far better to make peace with God here while in the flesh than to wait too long and suffer the painful consequences of rejecting him, even if of an indeterminate duration. That is what Jesus meant by this parable in Luke 14:32:
"Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won't he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand?"
In this parable, we are the 'self-appointed' kings who foolishly try to go to war against the almighty King of Kings whose army is far greater and stronger than ours. Best that we sit down today and make peace with him rather than face a very painful and humiliating defeat later, beyond the veil of death, if not before.
As the back of the books states, "Proponents of Christian Universalism can be found today within a wide variety of denominations from post-Vatican II Catholics to Primitive Baptists [Dr. Vincent is himself a Baptist]. 'The Golden Thread' brings together the Bible verses that ancient and modern Universalist theologians have used to show that God is the parent of all and, in the end, will save the 'Lost Sheep' and the 'Prodigal Son.'" Though, for me, it was a rather long and winding path in arriving at this same conclusion, nonetheless, arrived there I have. The back of the book continues, "In our modern pluralistic world, the barriers imposed by the old doctrine of religious exclusivity are confronted every day by individuals, families, and nations. Now more than ever, the inspirational message of God's Universal and eternal love for ALL humanity needs to be retold."
The belief in God's ultimate reconciliation of all peoples - past, present, and future - back to himself - even though it may occur across vast ages of time or even beyond the veil of death, is a view explicitly stated in 1st Corinthians chapter 15 (among many others passages) and was the predominant belief of the early church for the the first five centuries after Christ. In fact, there have always been universalists in the church, although the view waned for several centuries from about the mid-500s till about the late 1700s. It is a view, however, that is re-emerging, and personally I'm glad of it because I believe it is 100% Biblical and very liberating.
Dr. Vincent's book has two additional and interesting aspects tucked within its pages:
(1) he alludes to and applies the principle of 'microcosm and macrocosm' as it relates to individual human growth and development AND the anthropological history of civilization as a whole, i.e., humanity's 'spiritual growing up,' if you will. This struck me as reaffirming because I have often considered the same perspective and believe it has its merits. That is, the growth and development of the individual human being is roughly analogical to the spiritual and psychological growth and development of mankind as a whole, from Adam to all of us today. Jesus, the incarnate God, is, as the Bible says, the 'second' Adam, the 'new' Adam, and we are ALL bound up in the reality of his historical life, death, and resurrection. None can escape this universal event, though many are they that try. As the apostle Paul says, "As in Adam ALL men died, so in Christ ALL will be made alive." And as Jesus said, "But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw ALL men to myself." Here the words lifted up refer to his being lifted up on the cross as well as his ascension afterwards into heaven.
(2) Dr. Vincent discusses the countless testimonies now of those who have had 'near death experiences' (NDEs) and I think justifiably uses these to bolster the belief that when a person dies physically, his initial and immediate experience will be for him or her neither a permanent condition nor an unconscious void ("soul sleep"). For stubborn or spiteful unbelievers, yes, there is conscious rehabilitation - for "what we sow, we reap"; and for the believer there is paradise in the direct presence of the Lord. But both will be continuous states of spiritual growth and development, although the former (for the hard of heart who reject God) is extremely painful and not to be desired even for a moment. Having had a few near death experiences myself when I was a teenager, I think it was important for Dr. Vincent to include this chapter in his book. I can speak from personal experience that 'life' - perhaps better to say, 'personal existence with total awareness' - goes on after the heart stops' - we DO have a conscious soul. Having gone through that was the biggest influence in my attention being turned earnestly to God and the bigger questions of 'the meaning of life.' A near death experience is something you simply never forget. It is NEITHER a night dream nor a mere chemical and physiological process, as some atheistic or agnostic scientists may try to explain it away these days. It is 100% real and indelible in the person's mind and memory - and, best of all, true NDEs naturally confirm what the Bible already teaches.
Anyway, this is a good book. It can be read in one long sitting (or two) and is a valuable contribution to the essential understanding that God IS love, God loves ALL and will do anything to bring ALL home to him, eventually - that is, each in his own "order," "grouping," or "category" - "each in his own turn" - as Paul explains in 1 Cor. 15:20-28. That not only means on THIS side of death, but - if necessary - beyond the grave, as well. But it is far better to make peace with God here while in the flesh than to wait too long and suffer the painful consequences of rejecting him, even if of an indeterminate duration. That is what Jesus meant by this parable in Luke 14:32:
"Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won't he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand?"
In this parable, we are the 'self-appointed' kings who foolishly try to go to war against the almighty King of Kings whose army is far greater and stronger than ours. Best that we sit down today and make peace with him rather than face a very painful and humiliating defeat later, beyond the veil of death, if not before.
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