I can answer for at least some of them.You wrote:It would seem that it wouldn't matter one way or the other if Universalism were true. I could understand if it said He doesn't wish anyone to be punished, but it says "perish". Do Universalists have a different understanding of "perish"?
Thayer Definition: (Greek, apollumi)
1) to destroy
1a) to put out of the way entirely, abolish, put an end to ruin
1b) render useless
1c) to kill
1d) to declare that one must be put to death
1e) metaphorically to devote or give over to eternal misery in hell
1f) to perish, to be lost, ruined, destroyed
2) to destroy
2a) to lose
Several if not most or all universalists who post here have taken the "to lose" meaning as THE ONLY meaning. In other words, though the Greek word actually has more than one meaning which is determined by its usage (context) like with the "lost sheep" (where it obviously doesn't literally mean destroyed): They argue it NEVER means 'to be destroyed, will perish, be put to death', etc., in terms of the fate of unbelievers.
Interesting note.
The Jews of Jesus' day thought that when someone couldn't be found after they were intently looked for [being lost] or if someone didn't return after leaving some place [were missing]; they assumed they were dead. This is seen in the story of the Prodigal Son.
Luke 15, picking up at the return
20"So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.
21"And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
22"But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet;
23and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate;
24for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost {Greek, apolwlws, from apollumi} and has been found.' And they began to celebrate.
What I'm pointing out is being lost/missing can, and did, indicate that someone was dead to the Jews of Jesus' day: Lost/missing = dead, till proven otherwise.
Apollumi (and its derivatives, taken in context as in the above passage) can mean something or someone could be lost and, also, may no longer exist or be dead. Therefore, The Prodigal Son Story shows that apollumi doesn't ALWAYS point to an existing thing or person that is lost or missing and can be found...as the universalists say.
Take Care,
Rick
