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This is the first part of a short series discussing “Christian Universalism.”

“Universalism is that doctrine which asserts that all men will eventually be reconciled to God,” according to the Evangelical Dictionary of Theology. There exists a variety of teaching which would be included under the umbrella of universalism. Broadly speaking, one could divide such thought into two categories. Pluralistic universalism regards all religions and religious systems as being equally valid and true. One religion is not to be preferred over the other and to claim that Christianity alone, for example, is true is intolerant, or even immoral. Each religion has some access and insight into the ultimate. It is not this pluralistic form with which I shall be concerned. The focus here is Christian universalism, by which I mean the doctrine that teaches:

1) All of mankind will be ultimately saved.
2) That salvation is appropriated through Christ. Christ’s atonement is unlimited and extends to all.

Arguments for Universalism

The case for universalism is predicated on several basic premises.

1. God’s character, specifically his omnibenevolence, (“God is Love” 1 John 4:8) is incompatible with eternal human suffering.
2. God’s omnipotence is incompatible with eternal human suffering since God surely has it within his power to save everyone.
3. Scripture clearly teaches that it is God’s sovereign will and purpose that all should be saved. 2 Peter 3:9 states that God is “not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
4. It would be impossible for those who have been saved to experience eternal bliss knowing that some were suffering eternal torments.
5. Tolerance demands that one not hold to such arrogant doctrines as that only those who believe according to one particular religion’s teachings can be saved.
6. Some, such as John Hick, argue that universalism is the only way to make sense of the suffering in this present life.

Even among Christian universalists, one finds a variety of approaches. Some are more pluralistic in their approach, holding that all who sincerely follow their religion, whatever that might be, will be saved by doing so. Others hold to a purgatorial type of hell in which unbelievers eventually, through punishment, embrace Christ as their Savior. Some even embrace a form of reincarnation through which all men are ultimately saved.

Most Christian universalists attempt to justify their beliefs with Scripture, while others take a more liberal approach and either reject the text or freely reinterpret it. About the only thing in common with all these alternatives is a belief that ultimately all will be saved. An attempt to exhaustively address every brand of universalism would be exceedingly lengthy and complex. A number of difficult and heavily debated theological issues are involved, including hell, predestination, free will, the validity of retributive punishment, the authority of the Bible, the nature of God, and God’s love and justice. A related doctrine, annihilationism, the belief that the unsaved will simply cease to exist, will not be directly addressed here, although many arguments offered against universalism will be equally valid against annihilationism.