History of Christian universalism
History of Christian universalism
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History of Christian universalism

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History of Christian universalism

The doctrine of Christian universalism has been rejected by most mainstream Christian churches, which tend to maintain at least the possibility that many will not be saved, but it has received support from many prestigious Christian thinkers as well as many groups of Christians. It has been argued that the Bible itself has a variety of verses that seem to support a plurality of views.

Universal salvation may be related to the perception of a problem of Hell, standing opposed to ideas such as endless torment in Hell, but may also include a period of finite punishment similar to a state of purgatory. Believers in universal reconciliation may believe that while there is a real "Hell" of some kind it is neither a place of endless suffering nor a place where the spirits of human beings are ultimately "annihilated" after enduring the just amount of divine retribution.

Universalists espouse various theological beliefs concerning the process or state of salvation, but all adhere to the view that salvation history concludes with the reconciliation of the entire human race to God. Many adherents assert that the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus Christ constitute the mechanism that provides redemption for all humanity and atonement for all sins.

Modern Unitarian Universalism emerged in part from the Universalist Church but, being a non-credal faith, it holds no official doctrinal positions. Universal reconciliation, however, remains a popular viewpoint among many of its congregations and individual believers, including many who have not associated with the Universalist Church.

As David Fisher, a bishop and professor of philosophy has put it, "In the final analysis, the question of salvation is always an inquiry into the balancing of human free will with God's mercy and forgiveness." The Bible itself has, as referred to before, a variety of verses on the subject that appear to be contradictory if not given additional reader interpretation. Influential theologians Emil Brunner and J.A.T. Robinson argue that these verses can be put into two distinct categories: damnation for some or eventual reconciliation for all.

According to biblical scholar David Sim, Paul does not seem to believe in an eternal hell but rather annihilationism, while Matthew does.

As well, the Epistle to the Colossians receives attention, with Colossians 1:17–20 reading:

"He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy. 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."

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