Then after viewing a television program which depicted the wretched conditions of people dying in Rwanda, and considering the teaching of his church that non-Christians were destined for hell, Pearson felt he had received an epiphany from God, and stated that he doubted the concept of hell as it has been traditionally taught. In February 2002 he lost a primary bid for the mayorship of Tulsa. By then Pearson had begun to call his doctrine—a variation on universal reconciliation—the Gospel of Inclusion, and many in his congregation began to leave.
Pearson has said, "A person who spends every day getting drunk, will ruin their health, marriage, family and career; they will make their lives a living Hell. But that still falls far short of the chronic alcoholic being condemned by a just God to literally burn in Hell forever and ever.
For others it may very well be that the punishment merited by their sins is greater than what they receive in this life. For those people perhaps there will be some kind of punishment after death, but we believe that it will be remedial and corrective rather than just punishment for punishment's sake. Exactly what that will be and how long it will last we don't know. Will Hell for some people last 10 minutes or 10 million years... we don't know. But this we do know; Hell will not last for eternity; it will not be endless... Don't sin. Be reunited with God now, rather than after you have put yourself (and those you love) through Hell."
In March 2004, after hearing Bishop Pearson's argument for inclusion, the Joint College of African-American Pentecostal Bishops reached the conclusion that such teaching was heresy. Officially recognized as a heretic, the once very popular Bishop Carlton Pearson rapidly began to lose his influence. Higher Dimensions membership fell to under 1,000 and lost its building to foreclosure in January 2006, at which time the church began meeting in nearby Trinity Episcopal Church as New Dimensions Church.
In November 2006, Pearson was accepted as a United Church of Christ minister. In June 2008, New Dimensions Church moved to All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa. On September 7, 2008, New Dimensions Church held its final worship service and merged with All Souls Unitarian Church.
Bishop Pearson's story was the subject of an episode entitled "Heretics" on Chicago Public Radio's This American Life, which aired on December 16, 2005. This was followed by a profile on Dateline NBC on August 13, 2006.
Pearson was the subject of a CNN story on June 24th, 2007 which covered his change to a more inclusive gospel (including acceptance of LGBT people into his church) and the resulting negative backlash from the evangelical community.
However, aside from all the heretic mess, Bishop Pearson is also a gospel vocalist who has won two Stellar Awards and was nominated for a Dove Award. He, and the choir of Higher Dimensions Evangelical Center, recorded two albums under the production of Christian singer Carmen, called High Praises Vol 1, and Vol 2. They were so wildly successful that Warner Bros.' Christian music arm, Warner Alliance, signed Pearson and the choir to a contract that eventually encompassed over 5 live albums, the first three of which were very popular and got a lot of attention on radio and TBN and other Christian networks. When Pearson strayed from the teachings of God, Carmen disassociated himself from Pearson, whom he had known since the first days of Higher Dimensions in the late 70's.
Near The Cross
Carlton Pearson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There a precious fountain
Free to all, a healing stream
Flows from Calvary's mountain.
In the cross, in the cross,
Be my glory ever;
Till my raptured soul shall find
Near the cross, a trembling soul,
Love and mercy found me;
There the bright and morning star
Sheds its beams around me.
In the cross, in the cross,
Be my glory ever;
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.
Near the cross! O Lamb of God,
Bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day,
With its shadows o'er me.
In the cross, in the cross,
Be my glory ever;
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.
Near the cross I'll watch and wait
Hoping, trusting ever,
Till I reach the golden strand,
Just beyond the river.
In the cross, in the cross,
Be my glory ever;
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.
The song "Near The Cross" by Carlton Pearson is a gospel hymn that praises Jesus and his sacrifice on the cross. The first stanza expresses the desire to remain near the cross, where a precious and healing fountain flows from Calvary's mountain. The second stanza describes how the cross became the symbol of salvation and glory for believers, and how it brought love and mercy to a trembling soul. The third stanza asks Jesus to bring the scenes of the cross before the singer's eyes and to help guide them through life's challenges. The last stanza speaks of the hope and trust in reaching the golden shore beyond the river of life, where the singer's raptured soul will find rest.
Through its lyrics, the song is an affirmation of faith in Jesus and his redemptive power. It encourages believers to find solace and comfort in the cross and its symbolism. The song also reminds them to stay true to their faith, to persevere through life's challenges, and to hope for eternal rest beyond the river of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Jesus, keep me near the cross,
I am asking Jesus to keep me close to the cross.
There a precious fountain
At the cross, there is a precious fountain.
Free to all, a healing stream
This fountain is free for everyone and it brings healing.
Flows from Calvary's mountain.
This fountain flows from the mountain Calvary.
In the cross, in the cross,
I will find my glory in the cross, in the cross.
Be my glory ever;
Let the cross be my eternal source of glory.
Till my raptured soul shall find
Until my soul is caught up in rapture and finds
Rest beyond the river.
peace and rest beyond the river.
Near the cross, a trembling soul,
When I was near the cross, my soul trembled.
Love and mercy found me;
At the cross, I found love and mercy.
There the bright and morning star
At the cross, the bright and morning star shines.
Sheds its beams around me.
The bright and morning star shines its light around me.
Near the cross! O Lamb of God,
O Lamb of God, I am near the cross.
Bring its scenes before me;
Remind me of the scenes that took place at the cross.
Help me walk from day to day,
Help me to walk day by day.
With its shadows o'er me.
May the shadow of the cross be over me always.
Near the cross I'll watch and wait
I will stay near the cross, watching and waiting.
Hoping, trusting ever,
Hoping and trusting always.
Till I reach the golden strand,
Until I reach the land of gold.
Just beyond the river.
Which is just beyond the river.
In the cross, in the cross,
I will find my glory in the cross, in the cross.
Be my glory ever;
Let the cross be my eternal source of glory.
Till my raptured soul shall find
Until my soul is caught up in rapture and finds
Rest beyond the river.
peace and rest beyond the river.
Contributed by Sophie E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Matesha Shirima Tesha
on I know the Lord Will Make A Way Somehow
be exalte lord jesus