Is Christian Universalism New?

About thirty years ago, when I first began to see that Jesus really is the Saviour of the world, as first declared by John the Baptist, I felt as if I was all alone in this belief.
A few years later, as I began preaching and writing about God's plan to save the world through the death and resurrection of Jesus, the feedback I received included:

You are totally our of step with the traditional mainstream church,
You claim to be a Bible-believing Christian but you have now become one of those liberals,
Surely you can't believe that when you see the world heading downhill so rapidly,

even though I always backed my views and comments with Biblical references.

Indeed, a really dear friend of mine used to say, "I cannot fault your argument ... and I believe you are correct in your quoting of Scripture ... and I would like to believe what you are saying ... but I just can't".

Since those days, I have discovered many, many others who have written books or have BLOGs and websites that promote this belief that Christ ultimately reconciles everyone -  and this includes several highly-regarded theologians and academics.

More recently, I have been discovering the writings of some Church Fathers from centuries ago who have also believed and promoted this doctrine.

Allow me to show a potted history of some snippets of their writings, demonstrating that the eventual reconciliation of all is not a new or liberal fad, but a view held by many since the earliest days of the church.

Of course, the oldest Church Fathers are the Apostles of the first century AD, and their writings, recorded in our Bibles, I have been quoting for years.
So just a small sample of those again to get us started.

Paul the Apostle.

Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.
[Romans 5 : 18  ESV]

Peter the Apostle.

Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.
[Acts 3 : 21  NIV]

John the Apostle.

We [who were with Him in person] have seen and testify [as eye-witnesses] that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.
[1 John 4 : 14  AMP]

Jesus himself.

When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to me.

[John 12 : 32 GNT]

Now a sample of quotes from Church Fathers of the first few centuries AD.

St Clement of Alexandria.

"For all things are ordered both universally and in particular by the Lord of the universe, with a view to the salvation of the universe."

St Origen, Clement's student and successor.

"our belief is that the Word [Christ] shall prevail over the entire rational creation, and change every soul into his own perfection. … For stronger than all the evils in the soul is the Word, and the healing power that dwells in him; and this healing he applies, according to the will of God, to every man.“

St Macrina the Younger, a famous Nun in the Eastern Church.

She taught that God’s judgements were a “process of healing [that] shall be proportioned to the measure of evil in each of us, and when the evil is purged and blotted out, there shall come in each place to each immortality and life and honor.”
She also taught that the resurrection is “the restoration of human nature to its pristine condition.”

St Gregory of Nyssa, St Macrina's brother, an Easter Church Bishop.

“the annihilation of evil, the restitution of all things, and the final restoration of evil men and evil spirits to the blessedness of union with God, so that He may be ‘all in all,’ embracing all things endowed with sense and reason.”

Bishop Theodore of Mopsuestia.

“The wicked who have committed evil the whole period of their lives shall be punished till they learn that, by continuing in sin, they only continue in misery. And when, by this means, they shall have been brought to fear God, and to regard Him with good will, they shall obtain the enjoyment of His grace."

Actually, there are many more quotes from these "Fathers" that could have been included in this post, together with quotes from other Church Fathers. Indeed, that there were many others is revealed by St Augustine, an opponent of the universal reconciliation of all and arguably the starting point for the Western Church's doctrine of eternal torment in hell for unbelievers.

St Augustine commented, "There are very many who though not denying the Holy Scriptures, do not believe in endless torments."

So my discovery, of the universal salvation of all through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, was hardly a discovery of anything new. Many of the ancients in the Church, particularly the Eastern Church, taught it also.

Blessings, Barry

PS. I haven't done any original research on the writings of the ancient Church Fathers, but have used more recent writings of others from which to choose these samples:
"The Lost Message of Paul" by Steve Chalke, Chapter 20
"Christ Triumphant by Tomas Allin", Chapters IV and V
"If Grace Is True" by Philip Gulley and James Mulholland, Appendix 2
Website: https://christianuniversalist.org/articles/history-of-universalism/
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I'm Not Religious But

I am not a fan of religion - not religion of any kind, including Christianity as it is most frequently promoted and practised.
Religions operate under formulas like:

Do this list of things and don't do this list of things and you will be happy here and rewarded in the future.
But if you don't follow those lists, you will .....

Clearly such religious formulas offer benefits and bliss, but actually produce control and fear, often breaking people.

I remember shifting into a new neighbourhood several years ago and meeting my next door neighbours. In our discussion, after discovering that I attended church, my neighbour quickly retorted with "I'm not religious" hoping to create a safe distance between us.
My response was "Neither am I; but I have a great relationship with God", which led to several interesting conversations over the following years.

My great relationship with God is the result of Jesus Christ freeing the whole creation from its slavery to sin through his death and resurrection about 2000 years ago.

God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them.
[2 Cor 5: 19  NIV]
God had Christ, who was sinless, take our sin so that we might receive God’s approval through him.
[2 Corinthians 5 : 21  GW]

As I have become aware of my relationship with God, I am able to be free from religious formulas and enjoy Christ's leading and provision in my life and be assured of my future, not matter what.

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
[Galatians 5 : 1  NIV]

This was St Paul's advice to those who discovered their new relationship with God and encouraged them not to go back to their previous Jewish religion, calling it a yoke of slavery.

Although this new relationship with God is a universal truth for all of God's creation due to the achievement of Jesus, not too many currently know about it. But we all will, eventually, as Jesus fufils his promise to bring us all into intimate relationship with him, and therefore to know him and to appreciate what he has achieved for all of us.

When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to me.
[John 12 : 32  GNT]
God did what he had purposed, and made known to us the secret plan he had already decided to complete by means of Christ. This plan, which God will complete when the time is right, is to bring all creation together, everything in heaven and on earth, with Christ as head.
[Ephesians 1 : 9 - 10  GNT]

Yes, one day, we're all going to know and experience the freedom that Christ has given us, and to enjoy that relationship face-to-face - and there won't be a religion anywhere in sight.

Blessings, Barry

The Lost Still Belong

Luke 15 records Jesus' teaching on the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son. Two things stand out that are not often mentioned when discussing these parables.

Firstly, the lost sheep and lost coin are searched for until they are found. Their owners do not give up the search until the sheep and coin are found and returned to their rightful place in the flock or in the owner's purse.

The case for the lost son is a little different, since he had a decision-making ability. The father was waiting and watching for his son's return, and ready to welcome him in true fatherly fashion, knowing that eventually he would make a comparison between his pig sty living conditions and those in his well-to-do family estate.

In each case the story doesn't end until the lost are returned and restored.

Secondly, each lost one was still of the same value as before it was lost.
The coin still had its original currency value, and the image of the emperor still engraved on it.
The lost sheep was still a sheep; it had not become something else, and comfortably fitted back into the flock (maybe after some cleaning up).
The lost son was still a son, as the father declared most emphatically - "this son of mine was dead and is alive again".

Since God is the Saviour of the world,

That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.
[1 Timothy 4 : 10  NIV]

and Jesus the reconciler of all,

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
[Colossians 1 : 19 -20  NIV]

and Jesus promises to draw everyone to himself,

"And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”
[John 12 : 32  NIV]

I can't imagine God being less successful than the humans (shepherd, woman and father) in Jesus' parables.

Blessings, Barry
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Unexpected Surprises

As you will know from previous posts and articles on the website, there are many direct Biblical references to God's ultimate reconciliation of all mankind to himself.
But there are also hints to be found in some quite surprising places; like in the Beatitudes. 

Although several of the Beatitudes promise rewards to those who seem to deserve them, there are two which give similar rewards to "outsiders".
The first one is

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
[Matthew 5 : 3  NIV]

Who are these "poor in spirit"?
Certainly not Christians, as they have the Spirit of God indwelling them that surely disqualifies them from being "poor in spirit".

We might call these "poor in spirit" as the "the lost" or "non-believers" - those who do not yet know and appreciate their salvation has been guaranteed by the death and resurrection of Jesus.

And what is to be the eventual outcome for these non-believers?
"Theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
They are promised this great blessing of eventually belonging to the kingdom of heaven.

The second beatitude addresses a similar cohort.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
[Matthew 5 : 4  NIV]

Who are "those who mourn"?
Certainly not Christians, as they experience the joy of salvation and are looking forward to Christ's return.

We might call "those who mourn" as those who do not have this joy, or this hope for the future, or indeed those who see no point at all in their life and its struggles.
Indeed, not only are these mourning in their present condition, but are predicted to mourn when they see Christ at his coming.

“Look, he is coming with the clouds,”
    and “every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him”;
    and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.”
So shall it be! Amen.
[Revelation 1 : 7  NIV]

And what is the eventual outcome for these non-believers?
"They will be comforted."
They will be comforted or consoled; their anguish and grief will be dispelled by the compassion of God. Sounds a bit like reconciliation to me.

There are no clues in the Beatitudes about how God will handle these groups; only the promise that He will bless current outsiders as well as his followers.
But the how was provided by Jesus a few years later by his death and resurrection.

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
[Colossians 1 : 19 - 20  NIV]

It's amazing how reading the Bible through the lens of God's master plan helps one to see aspects of this plan in so many unexpected places.

Blessings, Barry
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It's Christmas Time.

Billions of people around the world enjoy Christmas and Easter holidays.
And about a third of the world's population are Christians who are more likely to appreciate the significance of those seasons.

In a few weeks, on what we call Christmas Day, that third will celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ into our world. The exact year of this miraculous event is not definitely known, but most biblical scholars and historians estimate that he was born between 4BC and 6BC, based on historical records, particularly the accounts of King Herod's reign and the biblical narratives.

But the reason for this event is much clearer, and gives rise to our enthusiastic celebration.
Jesus' life, death, resurrection and return to heaven were the events God arranged to reconcile the world to himself, and to no longer hold our sins against us.

Although this had been God's plan from before time began, and was forecast by the ancient Jewish prophets, it became a reality a bit over 2000 years ago when Jesus was born in Bethlehem; so beginning a whole new era in world history. 

The other billions in the world, who haven't yet realised their future is so secured by the execution of God's plan, will eventually do so because Jesus dealt with sin and death for everyone.
That's why I wish "Merry Christmas" to everyone, rather than "happy holiday" or "season's greetings", as all are included in God's plan - and that greeting is also a reminder that Christ is the reason for the season. 

One of my favourite Christmas carols is "Mary's Boy Child", sung by the Gaither Vocal Band. Its chorus has the words:

Hark, now hear the angels sing/ A new born King today/
And man will live forevermore/ Because of Christmas day/
Trumpets sound and angels sing/ Listen to what they say/
That man will live forevermore/ Because of Christmas day.

So I genuinely wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a great new year. 

Blessings, Barry 

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Enlightened Reasoning

People face many hurdles when trying to see that universal reconciliation (UR) is the plan and purpose of God.
Some are caused by translation issues in modern English Bibles. 

One of these describes salvation as being dependent on one's faith IN Jesus rather than salvation having been provided, without any input from us, by the faithfulness OF Jesus (in playing his part in his Father's plan to save the creation).

The Enlightenment, also known as the Age of Reason, was an intellectual and philosophical movement in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries, which brought profoundly beneficial changes in society - intellectual liberation, scientific advancement, political reform and economic development among them. 

However, it also elevated mankind's opinions of himself and his supremacy over his world, reviving the ancient doctrine of man's free will with the capability of even outsmarting God's will and sovereignty.
Notice the outworking of this in Galatians 2:16 from a modern translation (NIV, first published in 1973) with those of older (KJV, published 1611) and more literal (DBH) translations.

know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified. [NIV]

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. [KJV]

and who know that a human being is vindicated not by observances of Law but by the faithfulness of the Anointed One Jesus - even we have placed our faith in the Anointed One Jesus, so that we might be vindicated from the faithfulness of the Anointed and not from observances of the Law. [DBH]

The result of the Enlightenment, and popular English translations produced in its wake, was the transferring of responsibility for man's salvation from God's sovereign choice to man's free will choice.
What a shame. Because God's choice is for us all to be reconciled to God, which sounds much better than leaving the choice to us rebellious souls.

Yet the Enlightenment, the Age of Reason, has not enabled many of us to steer clear of some very illogical reasoning regarding God's UR plan for his creation. Let's think about this example.

If God knows all things and therefore knew from the beginning that the final fate of people who make the wrong choice about Jesus, or of people who have never been exposed to the good news about Jesus, would be to suffer everlasting punishment, then God's choice to create those people would surely be an act of extreme cruelty.

The millions of church-goers who believe this end result for unbelievers will usually also declare God to be a God of love (and mercy and forgiveness) who sent his Son to die for the sins of the world.

I happen to believe that God is a God of love and that God gets his way (will reconcile all of his creation in the end).

Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
[Ephesians 1 : 9, 10  NKJV]

Blessings, Barry

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Other published Writings at https://www.ibtechservices.com.au

Universal Reconciliation is Wrong

Universal Reconciliation is the understanding that the entire creation will eventually be reconciled to God.
This understanding is clearly wrong ...

IF Jesus did not die for the sins of the whole world.
But the Bible says that he did.

And Christ himself is the means by which our sins are forgiven, and not our sins only, but also the sins of everyone.
[1 John 2 : 2  GNB]

IF God is still planning to make us pay for our sins.
But the Bible says God no longer keeps account of our sins.

God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them.
[2 Corinthians 5 : 19  NIV]

IF Jesus was always addressing eternity in his teachings.
But the Bible says he was solely focused on the kingdom.

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.
{Matthew 4 : 23  NIV]

IF the disciples and the Jewish crowds were also into eternity-thinking.
But the Bible says they were also totally kingdom-focused.

He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.
[Luke 9 : 2  NIV]
Then they gathered around him and asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?"
[Acts 1 : 6  NIV]
"Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!" "Hosanna in the highest heaven!"
[Mark 11 : 10  NIV]

IF our English translations of the Bible really forecast eternal punishment.
But more accurate, literal translations of the Bible correctly speak of conditions in relation to the kingdom Age.

And these will go to the chastening of that Age, but the just to the life of that Age.
[Matthew 25 : 46  DBH]
And these shall go away to punishment age-during, but the righteous to life age-during.
[Matthew 25 : 46  YLT]

I'd rather believe the Bible, and especially an accurately translated one, which teaches that God's love motivated him to send Jesus to save us, not judge us.

For God did so love the world, that His Son—the only begotten—He gave, that every one who is believing in him may not perish, but may have life age-during.
For God did not send His Son to the world that he may judge the world, but that the world may be saved through him;
[John 3 : 16 - 17  YLT]

And since belief (or faith) is required, it will need to be given to everyone for God to achieve his revealed purpose - just as it has been given to many of us already.
(Believers in the current age are the firstfruits of the great harvest to come.)

How could God, who is love, which was demonstrated so clearly on the cross, want anything less for his creation than reconciliation of all?

In a nutshell:

With all wisdom and understanding,
he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure,
which he purposed in Christ,
to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—
to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
[Ephesians 1 : 8 -10  NIV]

Blessings, Barry
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Other published Writings at https://www.ibtechservices.com.au