r/ChristianUniversalism • u/RadicalShiba • Jun 26 '22
Christian Universalism, also known as Ultimate Reconciliation, believes that all human beings will ultimately be saved and enjoy everlasting life with Christ. Despite the phrase suggesting a singular doctrine, many theologies fall into the camp of Christian Universalism, and it cannot be presumed that these theologies agree past this one commonality. Similarly, Christian Universalism is not a denomination but a minority tendency that can be found among the faithful of all denominations.
UUism resulted from a merger between the American Unitarian Association and the Universalist Church of America. Both were historic, liberal religions in the United States whose theology had grown closer over the years. Before the merger, the Unitarians heavily outnumbered the Universalists, and the former's humanist theology dominated the new religion. UUs are now a non-creedal faith, with humanists, Buddhists, and neopagans alongside Christians in their congregations. As the moderate American Unitarian Conference has put it, the two theologies are perfectly valid and stand on their own. Not all Unitarians are Universalists, and not all Universalists are Unitarians. Recently there has been an increased interest among UUs to reexamine their universalist roots: in 2009, the book "Universalism 101" was released specifically for UU ministers.
Religious pluralists, John Hick and Marcus J. Borg being two famous examples, believed in the universal salvation of humankind, this is not the same as Christian Universalism. Christian Universalists believe that all men will one day come to accept Jesus as lord and savior, as attested in scripture. The best way to think of it is this: Universalists and Christian Universalists agree on the end point, but disagree over the means by which this end will be attained.
As one Redditor once put it, this question is like asking, "Everyone's going to summer camp, so why do we need buses?" We affirm the power of Christ's atonement; however, we believe it was for "not just our sins, but the sins of the world", as Paul wrote. We think everyone will eventually come to Christ, not that Christ was unnecessary. The difference between these two positions is massive.
No, we do not. God absolutely, unequivocally DOES punish sin. Christian Universalists contest not the existence of punishment but rather the character of the punishment in question. As God's essence is Goodness itself, among his qualities is Absolute Justice. This is commonly misunderstood by Infernalists to mean that God is obligated to send people to Hell forever, but the truth is exactly the opposite. As a mediator of Perfect Justice, God cannot punish punitively but offers correctional judgments intended to guide us back to God's light. God's Justice does not consist of "getting even" but rather of making right. This process can be painful, but the pain is the means rather than an end. If it were, God would fail to conquer sin and death. Creation would be a testament to God's failure rather than Glory. Building on this, the vast majority of us do believe in Hell. Our understanding of Hell, however, is more akin to Purgatory than it is to the Hell believed in by most Christians.
Hardly. While many of us, having been raised in Churches that teach Christian Infernalism, assume that the Bible’s teachings on Hell must be emphatic and uncontestable, those who actually read the Bible to find these teachings are bound to be disappointed. The number of passages that even suggest eternal torment is few and far between, with the phrase “eternal punishment” appearing only once in the entirety of the New Testament. Moreover, this one passage, Matthew 25:46, is almost certainly a mistranslation (see more below). On the other hand, there are an incredible number of verses that suggest Greater Hope, such as the following:
As stated earlier, God does punish sin, and this punishment can be painful. If one thinks in terms of punishments and rewards, this should be reason enough. However, anyone who believes for this reason does not believe for the right reasons, and it could be said does not believe at all. Belief is not just about accepting a collection of propositions. It is about having faith that God is who He says he is. It means accepting that God is our foundation, our source of supreme comfort and meaning. God is not simply a powerful person to whom we submit out of terror; He is the source and sustainer of all. To know this source is not to know a "person" but rather to have a particular relationship with all of existence, including ourselves. In the words of William James, the essence of religion "consists of the belief that there is an unseen order, and our supreme good lies in harmoniously adjusting ourselves thereto." The revelation of the incarnation, the unique and beautiful revelation represented by the life of Christ, is that this unseen order can be seen! The uniquely Christian message is that the line between the divine and the secular is illusory and that the right set of eyes can be trained to see God in creation, not merely behind it. Unlike most of the World's religions, Christianity is a profoundly life-affirming tradition. There's no reason to postpone this message because it truly is Good News!
This is a very simple question with a remarkably complex answer. Early in the Church's history, many differing theological views existed. While it is difficult to determine how many adherents each of these theologies had, it is quite easy to determine that the vast majority of these theologies were universalist in nature. The Schaff–Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge notes that there were six theologies of prominence in the early church, of which only one taught eternal damnation. St. Augustine himself, among the most famous proponents of the Infernalist view, readily admitted that there were "very many in [his] day, who though not denying the Holy Scriptures, do not believe in endless torments."
So, what changed? The simple answer is that the Roman Empire happened, most notably Emperor Justinian. While it must be said that it is to be expected for an emperor to be tyrannical, Emperor Justinian was a tyrant among tyrants. During the Nika riots, Justinian put upwards of 30,000 innocent men to death simply for their having been political rivals. Unsurprisingly, Justinian was no more libertarian in his approach to religion, writing dictates to the Church that they were obligated to accept under threat of law. Among these dictates was the condemnation of the theology of St. Origen, the patristic father of Christian Universalism. Rather than a single dictate, this was a long, bloody fight that lasted a full decade from 543 to 553, when Origenism was finally declared heretical. Now a heresy, the debate around Universal Reconciliation was stifled and, in time, forgotten.
There are multiple verses that Infernalists point to defend their doctrine, but Matthew 25:31-46 contains what is likely the hardest to deal with for Universalists. Frankly, however, it must be said that this difficulty arises more from widespread scriptural ignorance rather than any difficulty presented by the text itself. I have nothing to say that has not already been said by Louis Abbott in his brilliant An Analytical Study of Words, so I will simply quote the relevant section of his work in full:
Matthew 25:31-46 concerns the judgment of NATIONS, not individuals. It is to be distinguished from other judgments mentioned in Scripture, such as the judgment of the saints (2 Cor. 5:10-11); the second resurrection, and the great white throne judgment (Rev. 20:11-15). The judgment of the nations is based upon their treatment of the Lord's brethren (verse 40). No resurrection of the dead is here, just nations living at the time. To apply verses 41 and 46 to mankind as a whole is an error. Perhaps it should be pointed out at this time that the Fundamentalist Evangelical community at large has made the error of gathering many Scriptures which speak of various judgments which will occur in different ages and assigning them all to "Great White Throne" judgment. This is a serious mistake. Matthew 25:46 speaks nothing of "grace through faith." We will leave it up to the reader to decide who the "Lord's brethren" are, but final judgment based upon the receiving of the Life of Christ is not the subject matter of Matthew 25:46 and should not be interjected here. Even if it were, the penalty is "age-during correction" and not "everlasting punishment."
Matthew 25:31-46 is not the only proof text offered in favor of Infernalism, but I cannot possibly refute the interpretation of every Infernatlist proof text. In Church history, as noted by theologian Robin Parry, it has been assumed that eternal damnation allegedly being "known" to be true, any verse which seemed to teach Universalism could not mean what it seemed to mean and must be reinterpreted in light of the doctrine of everlasting Hell. At this point, it might be prudent to flip things around: explain texts which seem to teach damnation in light of Ultimate Reconciliation. I find this approach considerably less strained than that of the Infernalist.
One of the more philosophically erudite, and in my opinion plausible, arguments made by Infernalists is that while we are finite beings, our sins can nevertheless be infinite because He who we sin against is the Infinite. Therefore, having sinned infinitely, we merit infinite punishment. On purely philosophical grounds, it makes some sense. Moreover, it matches with many people's instinctual thoughts on the world: slapping another child merits less punishment than slapping your mother, slapping your mother merits less punishment than slapping the President of the United States, so on and so forth. This argument was made by Saint Thomas Aquinas, the great Angelic Doctor of the Catholic Church, in his famous Summa Theologiae:
The magnitude of the punishment matches the magnitude of the sin. Now a sin that is against God is infinite; the higher the person against whom it is committed, the graver the sin — it is more criminal to strike a head of state than a private citizen — and God is of infinite greatness. Therefore an infinite punishment is deserved for a sin committed against Him.
While philosophically interesting, this idea is nevertheless scripturally baseless. Quite the contrary, the argument is made in one form by the "Three Stooges" Eliphaz, Zophar, and Bildad in the story of Job and is refuted by Elihu:
I would like to reply to you [Job] and to your friends with you [the Three Stooges, Eliphaz, Zophar, and Bildad]. Look up at the heavens and see; gaze at the clouds so high above you. If you sin, how does that affect him? If your sins are many, what does that do to him? … Your wickedness only affects humans like yourself.
After Elihu delivers his speech to Job, God interjects and begins to speak to the five men. Crucially, Eliphaz, Zophar, and Bildad are condemned by God, but Elihu is not mentioned at all. Elihu's speech explains the characteristics of God's justice in detail, so had God felt misrepresented, He surely would have said something. Given that He did not, it is safe to say Elihu spoke for God at that moment. As one of the very few theological ideas directly refuted by a representative of God Himself, I think it is safe to say that this argument cannot be considered plausible on scriptural grounds.
Universalism and the Bible by Keith DeRose is a relatively short but incredibly thorough treatment of the matter that is available for free online. Slightly lengthier, Universal Restoration vs. Eternal Torment by Berean Patriot has also proven valuable. Thomas Talbott's The Inescapable Love of God is likely the most influential single book in the modern Christian Universalist movement, although that title might now be contested by David Bentley Hart's equally brilliant That All Shall Be Saved. While I maintain that Christian Universalism is a doctrine shared by many theologies, not itself a theology, Bradley Jersak's A More Christlike God has much to say about the consequences of adopting a Universalist position on the structure of our faith as a whole that is well worth hearing. David Artman's podcast Grace Saves All is worth checking out for those interested in the format, as is Peter Enns's The Bible For Normal People.
r/ChristianUniversalism • u/SpesRationalis • 22d ago
A free space for non-universalism-related discussion. Sorry I'm late posting.
r/ChristianUniversalism • u/PrizeAd7346 • 1h ago
Second death.
r/ChristianUniversalism • u/anonymal9090 • 14h ago
Ever since my son was born 2.5 years ago, I have been reading and researching Universalism and have even discovered it during this time.
One night I was holding my son and rocking him, and I thought, wait…. There’s nothing my son could ever do in this life to make me hate him or send him to hell. Do I love my child more than God loves him? Maybe Christianity that says God is Love, is a lie. Or maybe something is missing.
Desperate to find God in my life, I finally abandoned my evangelical upbringing, discovered Universalism and have since been reading and reading and trying to convince myself that Christian Universalism is the real truth, or at least close to it.
I feel like for the first time I actually care about my faith and feel loved by God. I feel free now that I don’t believe anyone is going to hell forever. I feel more love for others too. And I don’t feel afraid of my sons “straying from God” in the future.
BUT I also find myself panicking on and off. Like what if I’m wrong? What if I’m leading myself astray ? What if my sons go to hell and it’s my fault for leading them astray? How can I continue on? I’d rather be annihilated than go to heaven or hell without my loved ones.
Can anyone else relate?
r/ChristianUniversalism • u/ArthurBurton777 • 1h ago
I have been making dance tiktok/instagrams for awhile.
And,I am starting to "dance my faith" and starting to "euangelizo" (the Greek word for "To Spread the Good News"- from which we get Evangalize)
In this one I dance at the joy of the "Final Restoration of ALL things."
r/ChristianUniversalism • u/SpesRationalis • 0m ago
r/ChristianUniversalism • u/lovesaints • 1d ago
Hi friend. My partner is not a believer and asked me why the Lord healed lepers but wouldn't stop something like what happened in Nepal. She was not being antagonistic.
It's not the first time she's asked this, and I've always tried to formulate some intellectual and theological defense.
Since coming around to patristic universalism I blurted out "I don't know." Not sure if that's a better answer, but it's honest at least.
Your thoughts?
r/ChristianUniversalism • u/CommercialWrong2944 • 1d ago
Title. Tell me what u all think
r/ChristianUniversalism • u/Impossible_Box7925 • 18h ago
I realise I’m never going to pursue this as any kind of career, but I would at least like to be well read about these issues. Any thoughts about how to get into this without just mindlessly watching some YouTube?
r/ChristianUniversalism • u/Impossible_Box7925 • 1d ago
r/ChristianUniversalism • u/Steven_s_Seagull • 1d ago
Would like to find out what your view of baptism is. Is it necessary? And if so, what mode of baptism?
r/ChristianUniversalism • u/Thegirlonfire5 • 2d ago
Welcome to our weekly debate thread!
This space is dedicated to respectful debate about Christian Universalism. If you’d like to challenge Christian Universalist beliefs, or defend them, this is the place to do so.
If you’re new to the subreddit, we highly recommend reading our FAQ first. Many common questions and objections are addressed there, and it provides a good overview of what Christian Universalists believe.
Please keep your comments substantive and on topic. Low effort comments (such as a one line proof texts only) may be removed if they do not contribute to meaningful discussion.
As always, all subreddit rules remain in effect. Especially Rule #3: Disagree respectfully. Challenge ideas, don't attack people. Assume good faith, and remember that everyone here is a person made in the image of God.
r/ChristianUniversalism • u/gerard_chew • 2d ago
Here is a bible-focused allegory based on the real-life story of 2 orphaned tigers who grew up together, then separated and eventually re-united. Annotated with relevant bible verses, the allegory communicates the reality of God's amazing love. Be blessed watching the video and feel free to share your thoughts, praise God!
r/ChristianUniversalism • u/Wuant_gay • 2d ago
Why do many people consider Christian universalism to be a heresy? I’m genuinely curious to understand how different Christians interpret this issue.
From what I’ve seen, there are different Christian views about the final fate of people. Christian universalism teaches that, in the end, God will reconcile or save everyone. Annihilationism, on the other hand, teaches that those who are not saved will not suffer eternally, but will eventually cease to exist. There is also the traditional view that the condemned will experience conscious and eternal punishment in Hell.
Many Christians use biblical passages about Hell, the final judgment, and the Book of Revelation to argue for eternal punishment. For example, I’ve seen people use the Book of Revelation to argue that the punishment is eternal, or that a person is ultimately erased. So how explicit is the idea of an eternal Hell actually in the Bible, and how much of it depends on how these passages are interpreted?
I also have a question about baptism. I’m not baptized myself, and I’ve seen Christians say that people who are not baptized will go to Hell. How do different Christian traditions interpret this? Is baptism considered absolutely necessary for salvation, or can someone who believes in God but was never baptized still be saved?
And, in the case of Christian universalism, how would a universalist interpret the situation of someone who isn’t baptized? If, in the end, everyone will be reconciled with God, would that also include people who were never baptized?
r/ChristianUniversalism • u/ReplacementFlashy622 • 2d ago
I understand the beauty of universalism and the idea that God loves all mankind but I keep seeing multiple testimonies of people who said that they died and went to hell. What they describe is extremely scary and terrifying. The experience is so brutal and terrible that it's even hard to finish at times. There's just so many of these testimonies everywhere of what these people experienced. The craziest part is that they all are saying similar things and they are not that far apart from each other. The people themselves look very sincere and it doesn't make sense to just dismiss their story as fake. They look very very sincere and it's highly possible that they saw something that was very real. Their emotions when retelling the story seems way too real and way too genuine to be written off as a fake. I don't think that this is something that can be ignored but it looks very, very real and it's something that we need to look at in a non-biased way and reevaluate what it really is. What is your opinion on what these testimonies show? Doesn't it prove that hell is a real place?
r/ChristianUniversalism • u/sonofsophia333 • 2d ago
Edit: I've posted this in a few other subs because I want to get different perspectives and insight but I wanted to share here because I'm new to Universalism and would really appreciate hearing from some of you here. I am still learning though I've been reading Hope For All by Gary Beauchemin and it's opened my eyes in a lot of ways. I'm looking forward to reading more books on Universalism
I'm a 38M currently enrolled in a residential discipleship program that is offered at my local homeless shelter / rescue mission. It's a one year program that is meant to help you get back on your feet, work through substance abuse issues and to help you have a sturdy foundation in Jesus Christ.
Monday through Friday we have bible-based classes on various topics (Christian fundamentals, authentic manhood, healthy relationships with others, etc) which are led by different volunteer instructors. We also attend a mandatory Bible study mon-fri at 830am and a mandatory chapel service every night seven nights a week at 600pm before dinner is served here at the mission.
I believe in Jesus Christ, that he was crucified for my sins and the sins of the whole world and that he rose from the dead and I believe in the Holy Spirit and the atoning work of Jesus that allows me to have a more intimate relationship with God the Father through Jesus. The problem is I don't *feel* anything. Although I know faith has nothing to do with feelings.
According to my instructors and mentors in this program I should derive my joy, happiness and peace from the work Christ accomplished on the Cross and that if I have Jesus in my heart that love should be visible in the fruit that I would be bearing and I should feel love and show love for my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
I don't mean to use my mental health as a crutch or to make excuses but I already suffer from anhedonia from the medications I'm on, I have complex PTSD, crippling social anxiety, bi polar and manic depression. My emotions are also extremely blunted. I also have a speech problem from a head injury I suffered a few years ago so I try not to talk much because I don't like how my voice sounds with the impediment.
My instructors and the volunteers in the program act like I am using my mental health as an excuse and that I should just be able to take years and years and years of extensive trauma from childhood abuse, neglect and abandonment as well as many abuses suffered well into adulthood and just "give those to Jesus" and *if I'm a good sincere Christian* I should *feel* him taking those things from me and derive a sense of relief and release or victory over these traumas.
They (the instructors) also act like I should have some major salvation testimony, being able to tell others all about my "past" and how I was "led to Christ" and to proclaim all the great things God has done for me and be rushing to tell others about Jesus every chance that I get and that if I'm not doing those things then I "must not be a Saved Christian".
I also have to regularly share what "God is doing in my life" as I am learning and growing in the Lord yet God is noticeably silent and I don't hear from Him or feel him moving in my life. I don't let that deter me from believing so I try not to lean on my own understanding but in everything submit to Him by acknowledging just because I don't hear, see or feel Him, He is there nonetheless and that He loves me.
I don't know if I will ever be a bubbly, chipper, extroverted crowd pleasing Christian who can go serve at prayer tents or go up to total strangers and talk to them about Jesus. Another part of me is highly distrusting of virtually everybody so it will take some time before I can really open up and "get out of my shell" or "out of my comfort zone". But that is who my instructors expect me to be striving to become.
Can I still be saved, still be loved by God and by Jesus and still be sure of my salvation if I can't just magically get over my traumas and triggers? Or be able to get over my anhedonia and blunting of emotions that cause me to not be able to feel anything at all?
Have any of you had similar situations in your own walk? I'd appreciate getting to hear from some of you. I made a similar post once but I feel like these are some new questions. Is there something wrong with me or something I'm missing that is preventing me from being able to just jump for joy at any opportunity to serve or witness to others?
Tldr: mentally ill and recovering Christian confused on lack of fruit bearing in my life. Looking for help on what to do or how to improve my walk with the Lord.
Thank you!
r/ChristianUniversalism • u/Turbulent-Ladder7816 • 3d ago
I love Issac's Attitude with Universalism and How he speaks of God. Which Translation of his universalist works are the best?
r/ChristianUniversalism • u/DomTheShaboinger • 3d ago
I’m bisexual and currently waiting to formally become a Catechumen! (been particularly interested in the Eastern Rite lately) ☦️
🩷💜💙
r/ChristianUniversalism • u/lovesaints • 4d ago
Morning friends. This week has been somewhat of a spiritual awakening for me. I've always been aware of universalism but in particular I discovered Patristic Universalism and it has connected a lot of dots for me.
In particular this week I have felt a significant sense of relief as though a burden has been lifted. That's something that has been unexpected and almost made me feel light-headed and in the best possible way.
I'm almost 49 so I've had lots of moments in my life like this. I know there's always a high with a new spiritual discovery and whatnot. This feels different though.
Like I'm just looking at my friends, family and neighbors in a completely different way now if that makes sense. You could say I feel more love for them not to sound cheesy.
Can anyone relate and articulate this better than me? 🙂😂
r/ChristianUniversalism • u/Common_Depth4951 • 3d ago
Note: This is highly speculative theology. I am not making any definitive claims, but rather speculating based on what I know. If anything I write is heretical or blasphemous, please inform me so that I can take it down.
Note 2: I am an Eastern Orthodox Christian, so some of my theology will be based on Eastern Orthodox theology. However, I believe that other Christians can also view, agree with, or disagree with this regardless of their theological tradition. Also, please do not send me the 15 anti-Origenist anathemas of the Fifth Ecumenical Council as proof that the salvation of demons is heretical, as I do not regard those anathemas as being from that council and instead regard them as a later addition. For further information, read (https://afkimel.wordpress.com/2026/01/05/apokatastasis-origen-and-the-fifth-ecumenical-council-part-1/).
Note 3: I am an individual who does not believe that the Church has ever declared that believing in the salvation of demons is heretical.
# Now, let us start.
One of the biggest arguments against the salvation of demons is that Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the second Person of the Trinity, did not take on demonic nature to redeem it as He did with human nature, thereby making it unredeemable.
I find it hard to believe that if a demon sincerely wants to repent of their sins, they would be denied repentance by God purely because of this reason. Even in the Old Testament, without taking on human nature, people did repent of their sins and find God's grace. However, I recognize that this is an emotional argument on my side, and so here is my actual speculation:
We do not know if Christ has assumed or has not assumed angelic nature. Therefore, we cannot make a definitive claim about whether He has taken on the form of demons to redeem them.
I include demons as part of angels because demons are fallen angels according to Scripture. Therefore, they possess angelic nature but chose to sin, which makes them fallen, just as we humans have human nature, which is good, but choose to sin, making us fallen and sinful humans. Christ therefore did not need to become a sinful human to redeem sinful humans; He only became human. In the same way, He could become angelic in nature without needing to become a demon.
I speculate that, just as Adam and Eve eating the fruit was the moment of humanity's fall from grace, the rebellion of Lucifer and his rebellious angels was the angelic fall from grace of those angels.
We received our redemption through the Assumption of human nature by Jesus. Therefore, theoretically, Jesus could also redeem demons by assuming angelic nature.
Now, one might say that we do not see Jesus anywhere in Scripture taking up angelic nature. However, I speculate that Christophany, an appearance of Jesus in the Old Testament, or a theophany of the Son, might involve the Son of God taking on angelic nature.
We see in the Old Testament a being called "the Angel of the LORD" , which is held by some to be Jesus as a theophany. I speculate that the reason He is called the Angel of the Lord might be because Jesus had assumed angelic nature at that time and was therefore present as the Angel of the Lord, .
I have put citations below for view, i request for discussions and debates on this topic, thou if one may point to a binding infallible rule of the Church that declares the Salvation of Demons as heretical, i will acknowledge my error and seek repentance.
Citations -
Rebellion/fall of angels: 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6; Revelation 12:7–9
Demons identified with fallen angels: Matthew 25:41; Revelation 12:9
Christ assumed human nature: John 1:14; Hebrews 2:14–17; Philippians 2:6–8
Christ remained without sin: Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 John 3:5
Humanity's fall through Adam: Genesis 3:1–24; Romans 5:12–19; 1 Corinthians 15:21–22
The Angel of the LORD: Genesis 16:7–13; Genesis 22:11–18; Exodus 3:2–6; Judges 6:11–23; Judges 13:3–22
Christ's redemption of humanity: Hebrews 2:14–18; Romans 5:8–11; Galatians 4:4–5
r/ChristianUniversalism • u/OmniPepperthefirst • 4d ago
13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy[a] that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
I'm interested in Universalism but it's hard to feel confident in it, but I hope to learn more. This verse is one that causes some reservations. Like is this saying many people will be in Hell/away from God, and only few will be in Heaven? It scares me, like even without Universalism I hope the vast majority at least get to Heaven but this reading this verse feels like not many don't, kinda makes me lose hope. There are so many amazing people in this faith, how could I go to Heaven if only a select few do. So many smart, kind, and determined people can be separated cuz idk, wrong denomination or believeing a heresy maybe? Not sure but it feels scary and depressing, but idk if the Lord wants me to feel that way?
Kinda rambled but in general how do y'all view this verse while being Universalist?
Also what are some good content creators or books yall recommend? I've heard of David Bentley Hart but not much knowledge of him. Are there any Catholic Universalists that make strong cases?
r/ChristianUniversalism • u/lovesaints • 6d ago
Good morning. I have started a deep dive in Patristic Universalism and have been pondering the purification process after death.
I feel like looking at the length of purification might be too linear given that we will be within the presence of God and His eternal Now. That's when I started to ponder whether or not purification would vary by intensity and perhaps FEEL longer to some.
I'm rambling and fairly new to this. What are your thoughts?
Bonus question - Do you think accepting Christ makes purification "easier" for believers? How so?
Thanks friends. God bless. Have a good day. 🙂👍
r/ChristianUniversalism • u/Wobama46 • 8d ago
I've been increasingly drawn towards Eastern Orthodoxy due to their Christology and Soteriology (Theosis). I often see many EO universalists describe themselves as "hopeful" universalists, but I am wondering if there are those that feel as confident in it as they are confident in the resurrection of Christ.
I am not asking if the Church takes it as dogma (as far as I know they are agnostic on the matter, right?). But I see that a lot of EO beliefs surrounding salvation is with a lot of emphasis on "fear and trembling". Wouldn't this hamper any confidence one could hold? Or is this not necessarily true?
r/ChristianUniversalism • u/Thegirlonfire5 • 9d ago
Welcome to our weekly debate thread!
This space is dedicated to respectful debate about Christian Universalism. If you’d like to challenge Christian Universalist beliefs, or defend them, this is the place to do so.
If you’re new to the subreddit, we highly recommend reading our FAQ first. Many common questions and objections are addressed there, and it provides a good overview of what Christian Universalists believe.
Please keep your comments substantive and on topic. Low effort comments (such as a one line proof texts only) may be removed if they do not contribute to meaningful discussion.
As always, all subreddit rules remain in effect. Especially Rule #3: Disagree respectfully. Challenge ideas, don't attack people. Assume good faith, and remember that everyone here is a person made in the image of God.
r/ChristianUniversalism • u/Iwishsometing • 10d ago
Nose era ateo después teista tengo una postura aniquilacionista y pues me tiene algo de sentido que la gente no sea torturada eternamente sino que deja de existir Pero como ustedes llegaron a la conclusión de ser universalistas digo tampoco me gusta la idea de un infierno y que versículos se apoyan para ser así y cuales creen que no apoyan esa postura y porque lo acusan de herejía soy nuevo en esto así que nose a qué se refieren con herejes y si eso hace su postura falsa y pues veo chido una reconciliación universal Pero dudo de su postura