What is Christian Universalism?
Christian Universalism is a term that has gained currency as a way of explicitly expressing the close connection between original Christianity and original Universalism, and distinguishing between the Christian type of Universalism and Unitarian Universalism. Other terms and euphemisms that are sometimes used to mean basically the same thing as Christian Universalism include: (Universal or Ultimate) Reconciliation, Restoration, or Restitution; the Larger, Wider, or Blessed Hope; (the Gospel of) Inclusion; the Victorious Gospel; and Irresistable Grace. Most of these alternative expressions are used primarily by people in the conservative Christian community who believe in universal salvation, who wish to avoid confusing or losing their audience by calling their beliefs “Universalist” — a word that is negatively associated in the minds of some Christians today with the Unitarian Universalist Association. Christian Universalists believe that the correct interpretation of Christianity and
Christian Universalism is the belief that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ all persons will eventually be reconciled with God and exist in a state of salvation for eternity. While not considered a tenet of traditional or mainline Christianity, the roots of Christian Universalism reach back into the first centuries of the Christian movement. From time to time, the concept of universal reconciliation has appeared as either a central tenet for an organized Christian denomination or as a belief that is espoused by persons in a wide range of Christian expressions. Proponents of Christian Universalism trace the origin of the belief back to the canon of the New Testament and the writings of some of the early church fathers. The typical Christian Universalist can identify a number of passages within the scriptural canon that indicate the broad application of the principle of grace to all humankind, due to the work of Christ Jesus. In addition, the believer in Christian Universalism will a
Christian universalism is a belief in the simple Bible truth that Jesus Christ is the “Lamb who takes away the sin of the world.” He is the promised Messiah of whom the prophets of the Old Covenant foresaw; He is the Savior of the world, He is the “Second Adam,” through Whom all mankind will be restored to God’s original image, He is the only way to the Father, the only begotton Son of God, and that there is no other way to everlasting, aionian life but through Him. We believe He is king and judge of the universe, and owner of all Creation, and that His purpose for the ages (aions) is to bring all things under His government and reconciled with Himself. We believe that in His substitutionary death and resurrection He became the “Lamb who takes away the sin of the world.” As Christ Himself said, “If I be lifted up (crucified) I will draw all men to me” (as also prophesied in Psalm 22). His Name is the One before which every man, woman and child, from all of human history will bow before
