Christian Universalism

[Catholic20064]

I recently came across a web site which claims the Bible claims Christian Universalism – Christ atonement eventually saves everyone:

tentmaker.org

The Catholic Church explicitly rejects such a teaching. Are there many non-Catholics who accept this teaching?

Interestingly, this site does seem to claim there is an element within the Catholic Church that at least leans towards universal salvation:

tentmaker.org/articles/universal_salvation_roman_catholic.html

 

[Ahimsa]

I recently came across a web site which claims the Bible claims Christian Universalism – Christ atonement eventually saves everyone:

tentmaker.org

The Catholic Church explicitly rejects such a teaching. Are there many non-Catholics who accept this teaching?

Interestingly, this site does seem to claim there is an element within the Catholic Church that at least leans towards universal salvation:

tentmaker.org/articles/universal_salvation_roman_catholic.html

Actually, the Catholic is open to the possibility that everyone will choose salvation.

 

[Catholic20064]

Actually, the Catholic is open to the possibility that everyone will choose salvation.

That’s not the take I get from Catholic apologists on EWTN. They seem to preach that we already know that people are in hell even though they can’t say who. I especially get this take from Patrick Madrid, Colin Donovan and John Martignoni.

 

[AlaricTeudisson]

Universalism has always troubled me. It brings up the following questions:

Why was the incarnation and cross necessary?

If it matters not what you believe and what you have faith in, then what was Jesus talking about in the NT. Also, the whole trajectory of the OT on faith in the one true God seems out of whack.

The top of the 10 commandments is to not worship other gods.

Lastly, universalism seems to make Christianity into a works based religion instead of one of faith/grace. Or, it makes it into a “do whatever you want, no consequences” type religion.

Universalism seems to stomp all over the OT, NT, Tradition, Church teaching. Although I think that Origen did seem to lean toward this in some of his writings.

Jeff

 

[Publisher]

A couple of the best books on the subject…at least IMO…is “If Grace is True” and “If God is Love” by Evangelical Quaker authors Philip Gulley and James Mulholland.

Many Friends embrace a universalist view. One day all of us will go Home.

Embracing such a view has freed me from being judgemental toward others to a great extent…the grace and mercy of God endures forever and “God is not willing that any should perish but ALL come to repentance”…The will of God cannot…and will not…be frustrated…“They will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”…“If I be lifed up, I will draw ALL men to myself.” “God was in Christ reconciling the WORLD to Himself.” “Till EVERYTHING be placed at his feet.”

 

[Catholic20064]

Universalism has always troubled me. It brings up the following questions:

Why was the incarnation and cross necessary?

If it matters not what you believe and what you have faith in, then what was Jesus talking about in the NT. Also, the whole trajectory of the OT on faith in the one true God seems out of whack.

The top of the 10 commandments is to not worship other gods.

Lastly, universalism seems to make Christianity into a works based religion instead of one of faith/grace. Or, it makes it into a “do whatever you want, no consequences” type religion.

Universalism seems to stomp all over the OT, NT, Tradition, Church teaching. Although I think that Origen did seem to lean toward this in some of his writings.

Jeff

The question of the incarnation and the cross will always be a question no matter what you think of Christian Universalism. Why did God need the incarnation and the cross to save people? Could He have done it some other way or without them? Of course he could have, but a Christian of whatever stripe believes the incarnation and cross were necessary because of our belief in the resurrection.

I don’t think Christians normally do good works or have faith because they believe it is the way to avoid hell. They do good works and have faith because they believe in the atonement and the resurrection and are grateful for God’s work in Jesus Christ. A Christian universalist as opposed to a non-Christian universalist accepts the necessity of the atoning work of Christ for salvation as a matter of faith. I really don’t believe a Christian universalist would fall into the types of traps you are positing. I do believe a non-Christian universalist might be tempted in the direction you are suggesting.

 

[Ahimsa]

That’s not the take I get from Catholic apologists on EWTN. They seem to preach that we already know that people are in hell even though they can’t say who. I especially get this take from Patrick Madrid, Colin Donovan and John Martignoni.

EWTN is, shall we say, more “conservative” in its theology. But EWTN is not the Catholic Church. It is perfectly Catholic to pray for the salvation of all, because no one is definitively known to be in eternal damnation.

 

[Publisher]

Neither do I…ALL SALVATION is the work of God.

 

[Catholic20064]

Neither do I…ALL SALVATION is the work of God.

Through Jesus alone or by some other way?

 

[Publisher]

Through Jesus alone or by some other way?

All SALVATION is a work of God in Christ…it is not that we are “saved” in spite of who we are…it’s that we ARE SAVED BECAUSE of who we are. Children of the Most High…I would walk to hell and back to reach my child…and I’m a simple man…God the Creator and Father of all would do no less?

 

[Bluegoat]

I believe there are a couple of modern denominations that are universalists. The Universalist Church, now part of the UU, began as a Christian group.

There have been universalists in the Early Church, I think of Origen, and John Scotus Eriugena.

In the Episcopal Church, Madeline L’Engle, the author, was a universalist.

 

[Ahimsa]

Pope John Paul II often gave us to hope that all will be saved and taught the doctrine of universal salvation. The following are but three examples of many compiled.

• Eternal damnation remains a possibility, but we are not granted, without special divine revelation, the knowledge of whether or which human beings are effectively involved in it. (General Audience of July 28, 1999)

• Christ, Redeemer of man, now for ever ‘clad in a robe dipped in blood’ (Apoc, 19,13), the everlasting, invincible guarantee of universal salvation . (Message of John Paul II to the Abbess General of the Order of the Most Holy Saviour of St Bridget)

• If the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, is to convince the world precisely of this ‘judgment,’ undoubtedly he does so to continue Christ’s work aimed at universal salvation . We can therefore conclude that in bearing witness to Christ, the Paraclete is an assiduous (though invisible) advocate and defender of the work of salvation, and of all those engaged in this work. He is also the guarantor of the definitive triumph over sin and over the world subjected to sin, in order to free it from sin and introduce it into the way of salvation. (General Audience of May 24, 1989)

 

[seeker57]

While modern Unitarian Universalists may or may not believe in Christianity, I feel the Rev. Forrest Church described universalism quite well.

When we project an appetite for vengeance on God, we pervert the divine image. . . .

. . . For all my many failings, the day I wake up dead I won’t be in a cattle car on the fast train to Satan’s fiery pit. Nor will you. And neither will Old Scratch himself. If he actually exists, the devil too will be saved. In the good news of universalism, God is a loving God who will not rest until the entire creation is redeemed. All creatures will be saved. There is no hell. . . .

If, following Jesus’ lead, we open ourselves to the workings of grace when we forgive our enemies, how could God imaginably entertain a plan of selective redemption based on a retributive justice system with no possibility for parole? If we, mere humans, can unlock our hearts by praying for someone who has inflicted unforgettable damage on us, would God damn to eternal hellfire every creature who has failed life’s course?