An introduction to Christian Universalism, the belief that Christ is the Savior of all mankind. An exploration of the biblical, historical and theological arguments for the doctrine that all will be saved in the end.
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49 of 51 people found the following review helpful
By Adam Walker
Before reading this book, I didn't think it was possible to be a Bible believing Christian and believe that everyone will be saved. After reading Christian Universalism, I wonder why most Christians DON'T believe this! This book makes a compelling case that Hell is meant to reform sinners and no soul will be lost forever, and it's filled with Bible quotes to PROVE IT!
This book talks about major themes of the Bible like the nature of God and man, the incarnation, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Trinity, the meaning of sin, judgment, grace, atonement, the afterlife, etc. It ties it all together in a framework that is the most wonderful presentation of Christian theology I've ever seen -- a God of love who will never give up until the entire human race is redeemed and transformed in the image of Christ! It also tells how this theology was already taught by saints in the early church but was forgotten after the church became dominated by Rome.
I feel much more comfortable sharing my faith in Christ after reading this book, because now I have an answer when somebody asks "How can you love and worship a God who would condemn me to Hell if I don't believe in your religion?" The answer is the Bible simply doesn't teach this! The Gospel truly is good news for ALL people. I will be giving copies of Christian Universalism to my friends who have left the church or are questioning their faith. This is also THE book I will give from now on to non-Christians as an introduction to Christianity. My faith in God and Christ and my desire to tell others about my faith has been strengthened greatly by reading this book!
This book talks about major themes of the Bible like the nature of God and man, the incarnation, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Trinity, the meaning of sin, judgment, grace, atonement, the afterlife, etc. It ties it all together in a framework that is the most wonderful presentation of Christian theology I've ever seen -- a God of love who will never give up until the entire human race is redeemed and transformed in the image of Christ! It also tells how this theology was already taught by saints in the early church but was forgotten after the church became dominated by Rome.
I feel much more comfortable sharing my faith in Christ after reading this book, because now I have an answer when somebody asks "How can you love and worship a God who would condemn me to Hell if I don't believe in your religion?" The answer is the Bible simply doesn't teach this! The Gospel truly is good news for ALL people. I will be giving copies of Christian Universalism to my friends who have left the church or are questioning their faith. This is also THE book I will give from now on to non-Christians as an introduction to Christianity. My faith in God and Christ and my desire to tell others about my faith has been strengthened greatly by reading this book!
37 of 39 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Christian Universalism: The belief that a truly loving Father never gives up on the children He loves
November 8, 2008
Amazon Verified Purchase
I knew virtually nothing about Christian Universalism until about a year ago. I was vaguely familiar with the concept of Unitarian Universalism, but found it weak as it was based upon human ideals and the need to squeeze God into a concept that we can control. Yet as a Christian, I always found myself very uncomfortable with the notion that God would punish people eternally for not choosing Him in this lifetime, no matter what the circumstances of their life. It just made no sense, particularly since I kept reading over and over again in both the Old and New Testaments about universal reconciliation for all...in fact, both books are loaded with references to universal reconciliation, as you'll discover when you start reading the Bible with a Universalist viewpoint. Christian Universalism makes startlingly good sense, and in fact is completely consistent with every doctrinal point of "regular" Christianity except for the notion that the punishment of Hell is remedial and corrective, but not eternal. God's fire is a refining fire, not a destructive one (Malachi 3:2). Furthermore, when you match up the Universalist passages with the "eternal damnation" passages, the universalist message is far better supported by Scripture.
Although the argument is much deeper than a single issue, the crux of the argument boils down to the true meaning of the Greek word "aionos," which in our English Bibles is translated as "eternal." The word, as near as historians can tell, originated with Aristotle and was never used in Greek literature to mean everlasting, but always referred to a finite period of time. There's no sound reason to assume the apostles (as well as the Hellenistic writers of the Septuagint) meant it any other way. There are about 18 New Testament verses that speak of "eternal" damnation and spiritual death (all using some version of "aionos") but literally hundreds through both the Old and New Testaments that speak of God reconciling ALL to Himself. The Greek Orthodox church, which refuses to this day to join with the Catholic Church of Rome, supports Christian Universalism on the grounds that the original Greek word never implied eternal damnation, but "age-enduring" with ultimate reconciliation for all. It's also interesting to note that for most of the first 400 years of Christianity, before becoming the "state religion" of the Roman Empire, the traditional teaching on salvation was the apostolic tradition of ultimate reconciliation, as taught throughout the New Testament.
Regardless of your views on the subject, consider this point: Why would a God who instructs us to forgive someone not once, but over and over and over again (Matthew 18:21-22), be Himself inconsistent with His own commandments? Why would God instruct us to love our fellow men and women unconditionally, no matter what they do to us, and then do something quite the opposite Himself? And why would Christ (in John 6:39) say: "And this is the will of Him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that He has given me, but raise them up at the last day." Simple reason (not human reason, but reason driven by a sound reading of Scripture) tells us that eternal damnation makes no Biblical sense, and in fact is inconsistent with the teaching of unconditional love. All it requires is to put aside a traditional doctrinal interpretation, and instead take the Bible at exactly what it says.
Stetson has laid out a sound argument for Christian Universalism with this book and it's easy to grasp. If you're looking for a "starter" book to read more about the subject, this is the one to buy. I think every Christian, as well as any interested and religiously-curious skeptic, should read this book as it allows you to view Christianity in an amazing new perspective.
Lastly, here's just one of the many verses supporting Christian Universalism. In the passage below, how can one claim that "all" has two different meanings? We know from previous Scripture that ALL mankind suffered the effects of the Fall, not some, but all, which creates a contextual precedent that makes it impossible for the second "all" to mean anything else. It's a hermeneutical slam-dunk, so to speak. Additionally, the "conditional" phrase "but each in his own turn" is completely consistent with the Universalist notion that salvation won't come to all right away, but over time, as God's plan unfolds.
"For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive, but each in his own turn."
1 Corinthians 15:22
Just something to think about for all the skeptics (Christian or otherwise) before closing the door on the idea. Read this book before writing it off. If you're curious enough, it'll drive you to read more, as it did me.
Although the argument is much deeper than a single issue, the crux of the argument boils down to the true meaning of the Greek word "aionos," which in our English Bibles is translated as "eternal." The word, as near as historians can tell, originated with Aristotle and was never used in Greek literature to mean everlasting, but always referred to a finite period of time. There's no sound reason to assume the apostles (as well as the Hellenistic writers of the Septuagint) meant it any other way. There are about 18 New Testament verses that speak of "eternal" damnation and spiritual death (all using some version of "aionos") but literally hundreds through both the Old and New Testaments that speak of God reconciling ALL to Himself. The Greek Orthodox church, which refuses to this day to join with the Catholic Church of Rome, supports Christian Universalism on the grounds that the original Greek word never implied eternal damnation, but "age-enduring" with ultimate reconciliation for all. It's also interesting to note that for most of the first 400 years of Christianity, before becoming the "state religion" of the Roman Empire, the traditional teaching on salvation was the apostolic tradition of ultimate reconciliation, as taught throughout the New Testament.
Regardless of your views on the subject, consider this point: Why would a God who instructs us to forgive someone not once, but over and over and over again (Matthew 18:21-22), be Himself inconsistent with His own commandments? Why would God instruct us to love our fellow men and women unconditionally, no matter what they do to us, and then do something quite the opposite Himself? And why would Christ (in John 6:39) say: "And this is the will of Him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that He has given me, but raise them up at the last day." Simple reason (not human reason, but reason driven by a sound reading of Scripture) tells us that eternal damnation makes no Biblical sense, and in fact is inconsistent with the teaching of unconditional love. All it requires is to put aside a traditional doctrinal interpretation, and instead take the Bible at exactly what it says.
Stetson has laid out a sound argument for Christian Universalism with this book and it's easy to grasp. If you're looking for a "starter" book to read more about the subject, this is the one to buy. I think every Christian, as well as any interested and religiously-curious skeptic, should read this book as it allows you to view Christianity in an amazing new perspective.
Lastly, here's just one of the many verses supporting Christian Universalism. In the passage below, how can one claim that "all" has two different meanings? We know from previous Scripture that ALL mankind suffered the effects of the Fall, not some, but all, which creates a contextual precedent that makes it impossible for the second "all" to mean anything else. It's a hermeneutical slam-dunk, so to speak. Additionally, the "conditional" phrase "but each in his own turn" is completely consistent with the Universalist notion that salvation won't come to all right away, but over time, as God's plan unfolds.
"For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive, but each in his own turn."
1 Corinthians 15:22
Just something to think about for all the skeptics (Christian or otherwise) before closing the door on the idea. Read this book before writing it off. If you're curious enough, it'll drive you to read more, as it did me.
36 of 38 people found the following review helpful
By C. Wilson
Belief in Universal Salvation-- the doctrine that ALL will be saved through Christ has renewed my faith, given me hope, and enabled me to continue as a Christian. I became a Christian in my youth in a hell-fire type church-- which was most common to the rural deep south where I grew up. I loved Jesus with all my heart but had a problem, a gnawing aching problem with the idea that anyone would burn forever and ever and ever without any hope of escape. The Bible does NOT actually teach that concept. The Greek is clear on that matter. ALL will be saved. The fire of God is for purification, not condemnation. God is love. Love is a fire. God is a consuming fire. It all flows together.
This book is an excellent introduction to the concept of "Christian Universalism," also known as "ultimate reconcilliation" or "universal salvation." After the World Wars, this beautiful old concept was largely abandoned, and a deep cynicsim set in throughout the world. Today, it is being embraced by many.
This book gives a clear understanding of the scriptural, historical, and spiritual arguments for Christian Universalism.
This book is an excellent introduction to the concept of "Christian Universalism," also known as "ultimate reconcilliation" or "universal salvation." After the World Wars, this beautiful old concept was largely abandoned, and a deep cynicsim set in throughout the world. Today, it is being embraced by many.
This book gives a clear understanding of the scriptural, historical, and spiritual arguments for Christian Universalism.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Clear concise--truly Good News for ALL!
Eric Stetson, in clear and concise language, makes the case for The Holy Bible actually teaching Christian Universalism (CU) rather than the false doctrine of eternal torment in... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Boyd C. Purcell
5.0 out of 5 stars
UNIVERSAL SALVATION: THE CHURCH'S RE-REFORMATION
Christian Universalism, by Eric Stetson, is a masterful and systematic thesis of a subject that is one of the hottest topics sweeping the Christian world today. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Ivan A. Rogers
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very Interesting
I have recently become interested in the history of Christian Churches and the differences between them. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Larry O.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simply put, this book could change your life.
Three years ago when my husband and I first heard that the long held doctrine of hell was a myth and was adopted as an orthodox teaching several hundred years AFTER Christ and the... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Julie Ferwerda
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book.
I finished this book this past week and highly recommend it to anyone who has questions about the concept of eternal punishment. I have looked at the bible in a whole new way. Read more
Published 8 months ago by C. Wooff
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great book to introduce the concept of Universal Salvation
This book is great if you want an introduction to Christian Universalism, and the essence of this belief. The whole feel of the book is laidback, and very Christlike. Read more
Published on June 11, 2010 by James Lawrence
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love Conquers All!
I love this book. I am so happy that Mr. Stetson wrote on this vastly under-reported subject. Christians are realizing something great, that God loves everyone and wills that they... Read more
Published on July 23, 2009 by Sky Light Mine
5.0 out of 5 stars
Finally, it is written...
After studying the Bible and other religious documents for the past 10 years, it would become obvious to anyone, as it did me, that Christianity has been misrepresented and... Read more
Published on July 14, 2009 by GoReporter
1.0 out of 5 stars
Icing, not cake
I have been looking for a book that represents Universalism in a biblical way - that will convince me. This isn't it. Read more
Published on May 23, 2009 by Linda M. Stutts
5.0 out of 5 stars
Finally someone with the guts to write the truth!
I have been a Christian since I was five years old, and growing up in the Faith, I always had a nagging feeling that all the talk of eternal hellfire couldn't possibly be true... Read more
Published on April 23, 2009 by Scott E. Amundsen
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