My name is Demas, and welcome to Live From Thessalonica.
In real life, my name isn’t Demas and I don’t live in Thessalonica, but these are mere facts which should not be allowed to get in the way of the truth.
You can contact me at demas@freeuniversalist.org
At the time of typing this, I would identify as a universalist Christian in the liberal Reformed tradition. But ask me again after lunch.
I have always been a liberal protestant Christian, it was the faith of my fathers; so in a sense I am a traditionalist. I am not an ex-fundamentalist.
live from thessalonica 
Hello Demas,
I am a 27 year old licensed minister. I like what you have to say about Universalism.
Email me sometime and we can correspond. I am interested in starting a church here in my town that is Universalist with a twist.
Anyway, I hope that you are well.
God bless,
Brad
Hey Demas, I am a 30 veteran in this army of Christ, having served most of those as a pastor, and just wanted to comment on your Demas thoughts. I am one of those that used to condemn Demas for his betrayal but after several years in an army that tends to shoot it’s wounded I have gained new sympathy for Demas. Getting shot at hurts, getting shot by your fellow solders hurts worse. I understand retreat when your battle scars take the fight out of you. God Bless
Usually I can gather my thoughts and express them best on “paper” (not sure what the cyber equivelent is.)
I am very happy to have found your blog; you’ve helped me think beyond absolutes and quick judgements.
BTW, I am quite a bit more than 30 years old, how do I follow your blog? I found you by googling “Demas”
Thank You,
Lyn Cooper
WOW, I don’t even know where to start. I don’t want anyone to think that I am judging somebody, but I believe the Bible (KJV) teaches that we should judge by the fruit of the tree to determine its kind. I personally can’t understand how or why a Christian would want to identify with liberalism. My father was a drunk, but I am not for all the obvious reasons.
The “oh well, I’ve sinned. I’m just human” mentality is why the world is going to hell in rush. I found concern for Demas in Paul’s request for others to come. When God called me into the Gospel ministry, I felt His leading to keep the people’s sin before them as well as His holiness. What should he have said, “Demas was here, but he had to take a break while I’m in prison and go party”? God does not tolerate sin. He loves all us sinners, but He hates sin. God knows, and even tells us that we are going to be tempted, but He gives us a way to escape. To just give up without a fight for your soul and give glory and honor to God, is hypocritical and cowardly. Paul’s, nor your concern for Demas, should be no different from that for any other person. again, I’m sorry, but I just can’t put my faith around the words “liberal” and “Christian”, being together. It sounds so like when people say someone is a “carnal christian”. 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” You made referrece to Rupert Murdock (liberal) of Zondervan, changing the NIV, but isn’t that what the NIV has done already . . . KJV? Liberalism identifies with everything that God is against and against everything that God is for. By the fruit . . .over the years the devil’s crowd have placed themselves in places where they reshape (brainwash) people’s thinking with a false word, and a god that looks more like them, and what they want.
Judging people is God’s responsibility. Trying to keep others from going off the cliff is compassionate. I know that people wallowing in the mud (2 Peter 2) don’t want to hear it, but if we are going to attempt to teach people, let’s at least tell them the truth. The truth like a medicine don’t always go down well, but it will cure what ails you. “31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 33 They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? 34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth (practices) sin is the servant of sin. 35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
If the truth shall set you free, ye shall be free indeed.”
Interesting piece on Demas.
Are you aware that tradition has it that Demas actually became a judge in Thessalonica? I’m almost certain that you knew what the judges did to Christians in those days. Maybe some Christian was brought before Demas to be judged for believing in Christ, and Demas probably mocked that Christian’s faith.
One thing is certain though: there was no record that Demas ever joined himself to the people of God at a latter time. None. He forsook the Apostle, and decided to go after this present world. Well, obviously, he did not live forever. He died. Just like those people who remained faithful. This goes further to prove that suffereings are foir a very short time, if only we make efforts to endure. backsliders suffer forever.