The Evangelical Universalist [Paperback]

Gregory Macdonald (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2006

Can an orthodox Christian, committed to the historic faith of the Church and the authority of the Bible, be a universalist? Is it possible to believe that salvation is found only by grace, through faith in Christ, and yet to maintain that in the end all people will be saved? Can one believe passionately in mission if one does not think that anyone will be lost forever? Could universalism be consistent with the teachings of the Bible?Gregory MacDonald argues that the answer is 'yes' to all of these questions. Weaving together philosophical, theological, and biblical considerations, MacDonald seeks to show that being a committed universalist is consistent with the central teachings of the biblical texts and of historic Christian theology.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"'With this wonderful book, Gregory MacDonald joins the growing body of Evangelical Christians who now accept a doctrine of universal reconciliation. But I know of no one who has set forth an equally clear, thorough and compelling case for a universalist reading of the Bible as a whole...' Thomas Talbott, Professor of Philosophy, Willamette University" --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

The controversial arguments within this book resulted in it being written under the pseudonym Gregory MacDonald. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 201 pages
• Publisher: Cascade Books (May 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1597523658
• ISBN-13: 978-1597523653
• Product Dimensions: 0.5 x 6 x 8.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #959,464 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #87 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Other Religions, Practices & Sacred Texts > Unitarian Universalism

More About the Author

My name is Robin Parry (though I sometimes write under the name Gregory MacDonald). I am an editor for Wipf and Stock Publishers. Prior to that I ran Paternoster, a UK-based theological book imprint of Authentic Media Ltd. And before that I taught at a Sixth Form College for ten years.

I live in Worcester, UK.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

78 of 84 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A Solid Defense of Christian Universalism September 22, 2007

By J. Owens

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Gregory MacDonald (a pseudonym) sets out to defend the doctrine that all are eventually saved and God's judgment of sinners is temporary and intended to restore them to a right relationship with God.

Chapter 1 and Appendix 1 present the philosophical problems with the belief that hell is a place of eternal torment. Although it might be possible to hold onto a belief in eternal torment on philosophical grounds I find the arguments in favor of universalism to be far, far better than anything an adherent to eternal torment can muster.

Chapter 2 provides broad outlines of biblical theology that support universalism. It also provides an overview of Colossians defending the view that 1:20 means what it says, i.e., that all things will be reconciled with Christ. Appendix 2 makes use of Ephesians in a similar argument.

Chapter 3 deals with Israel and the Nations in the Old Testament and shows how judgment leads to restoration. It also argues that all nations are to be saved through Israel. Chapter 4 continues this line of argument but deals with the New Testament.

Chapter 5 was my favorite chapter of the book. It provides a univeralist interpretation of Revelation. The gates of the New Jerusalem are never shut and people cross from the lake of fire into the New Jerusalem (ch. 21). Appendix 3 provides an interpretation of the Book of Life, which appears in Revelation.

Chapter 6 covers the texts which mention hell and spends time analyzing the words of Jesus on hell (or Gehenna). The gist of MacDonald's argument is that hell is a temporary judgment.

Chapter 7 closes the book by looking at the impact universalism has on the Christian church. MacDonald believes it has the following advantages:

(1) It makes the Problem of Evil less of a problem.
(2) It makes Christian theology as a whole more coherent.
(3) It makes the church a microcosm of the world to come.
(4) It allows for more effective pastoral care to those have a loved one who died without becoming a Christian.

Also in this chapter he responds to a couple objects:

(1) Universalism undermines the severity of sin and the righteousness of judgment.
(2) Universalism undermines the enthusiasm for evangelism.

65 of 71 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Count Me In September 2, 2006

By Caroline Wong

Format:Paperback

Like the author, I'm now a hopeful dogmatic universalist. Hopeful because we hope it's true. Dogmatic because the doctrine is biblically supported.

The book is written at a seminary level. The first chapter covers philosophic reasons why universalism is preferable to exclusivism. This lays the groundwork for rereading the bible with a universalist hope and accepting verses like 1 Cor 15:22 or Col 1:20 at face value. All means all.

The rest of the book is a very persuasive and sound argument of why universalism is biblically sound. It is not just a defense against verses that contradict universalism. The author embarks on the difficult task of showing how the trajectory of the bible shows that the final word God speaks to Man is always reconciliation and redemption. It is well worth working through his reasoning.

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Book on Universal Salvation for Evangelicals to Read June 20, 2008

By D. Dean

Format:Paperback

When I first considered reading up on universal salvation, it was very awkward getting through the first book. It was as if I could envision all the parishioners at my church shaking their head and thinking "heretic"! I managed to read several books after that, many which were an emotional appeal to God's love and not much in the way of scriptural exegesis. This book is the exception to the norm! The Evangelical Universalist is the single best book on the market for an evangelical to read, using large amounts of scripture to found the author's claims and make evangelicals feel comfortable that this is not mere liberal trash, but a legitimate exposition. It is a readable, yet intense book that will seriously challenge your position. Unlike almost any other book on universal salvation, I would assert that most evangelicals could read this book and walk away with a solid understanding of how a biblical case could be made for this position, even though they may disagree with that perspective. I envision that in 20-30 years, maybe sooner, universal salvation will gain tremendous acceptance among more liberal, non fundamentalist evangelicals. This book will widely be considered, along w/ Talbott's "Inescapable Love of God" to be the landmark text on the subject. I encourage all to take a look at purchasing this book, along with the aforementioned Talbott book as well as "Universal Salvation: The Current Debate". These three books will give you an extremely good handle on the issues at hand.