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Christian universalism

Christian universalism is a school of Christian theology focused around the doctrine of universal reconciliation – the view that all human beings will ultimately be saved and restored to a right relationship with God. "Christian universalism" and "the belief or hope in the universal reconciliation through Christ" can be understood as synonyms.[1] Opponents of this school, who hold that eternal damnation is the ultimate fate of some or most people, are sometimes called "infernalists."[2]

The term Christian universalism was used in the Christian Intelligencer in the 1820s by Russell Streeter—a descendant of Adams Streeter who had founded one of the first Universalist Churches on September 14, 1785.[3][4][5] Some Christian universalists claim that in Early Christianity (prior to the 6th century), this was the most common interpretation of Christianity.[6]


As a formal Christian denomination, Christian universalism originated in the late 18th century with the Universalist Church of America. There is no single denomination uniting Christian universalists, but a few denominations teach some of the principles of Christian universalism or are open to them. Instead, their membership has been consolidated with the American Unitarian Association into the Unitarian Universalist Association in 1961.

is the loving parent of all people (see Love of God).

God

reveals the nature and character of God and is the spiritual leader of humankind (see New Covenant).

Jesus Christ

Humankind is created with an which death does not end—or a mortal soul that shall be resurrected and/or preserved by God—and which God will not wholly destroy.[8]

immortal soul

has negative consequences for the sinner either in this life or the afterlife.

Sin

In his Plain Guide to Universalism, the universalist Thomas Wittemore wrote, "The sentiment by which Universalists are distinguished, is this: that at last every individual of the human race shall become holy and happy. This does not comprise the whole of their faith, but, merely that feature of it which is peculiar to them and by which they are distinguished from the rest of the world."[7]


The remaining central beliefs of Christian universalism are compatible with Christianity in general:


In 1899 the Universalist General Convention, later called the Universalist Church of America, adopted the Five Principles: the belief in God, belief in Jesus Christ, the immortality of the human soul, that sinful actions have consequence, and universal reconciliation.[9]

Various views of

atonement

Whether non-Christians are saved through other means (), or whether salvation occurs only after profession of belief in the Lordship of Jesus Christ (exclusivism).

inclusivism

Bell, Rob ‘’Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived.’’ 2011, New York City, Harper-one, ISBN 9780062049643

Bressler, Ann Lee (2001). The Universalist Movement in America, 1770–1880. New York: Oxford University Press.

Burnfield, David "Patristic Universalism" An Alternative to the Traditional View of Divine Judgment Paperback – January 28, 2016

Universalism unfounded being a complete analysis and refutation of the system Published 1867 in Nepean, Ontario Universalism unfounded

Ezekiel Stone Wiggins

Cassara, Ernest, ed. (1971). Universalism in America: A Documentary History of a Liberal Faith. Skinner House Books.

– Ecumenical organization teaching Christian universalism and providing ministerial ordination for pastors and chaplains who believe in it.

The Christian Universalist Association

at Curlie

Christian universalism

– Apostolic, Sacramental Church in the Liberal Catholic tradition that primarily preaches the gospel of Universal Reconciliation.

The Catholic Universalist Church

Chapter Eight in Stephen Palmquist, Kant's Critical Religion (Aldershot: Ashgate, 2000) – Demonstrates that the 18th century philosopher, Immanuel Kant, regarded the Christian religion as the only "natural religion" that has the potential to be spread to all human beings.(403 Forbidden)

Christianity as the Universal Religion

– A website with articles, books, and other materials promoting the biblical doctrine of Evangelical Universalism.

Evangelical Universalism

– A blog with resources and discussions centering on Universal Reconciliation from an Eastern Orthodox standpoint.

Eclectic Orthodoxy

– Evangelical Universalism Discussion Forum

Evangelical Universalist Forum

Patristic Universalism, Questions and Answers website

www.patristicuniversalism.com

– A website devoted to supporting Christian Universalism biblically.

A Case for Christian Universalism

– Peter Hiett as Pastor / a Church that celebrates God's relentless love.

The Sanctuary Downtown Church

– A large website full of articles, online books, and other resources promoting Christian Universalism.

Tentmaker Ministries

– Keith DeRose, Professor of Philosophy at Yale University, defends universalism on biblical grounds.

Universalism and the Bible