History of Christian universalism
Open-knowledge reference entry
Christian universalism is the position in Christian theology that all human beings will ultimately be saved and restored to a right relationship with God. 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. It has been argued that the Bible has a variety of verses that seem to support a plurality of eschatological views, though most mainstream Christian denominations do not explicitly teach it.
It is known that some figures in early Christianity such Gregory of Nyssa taught universal salvation, although its popular adherence by clergy and laypeople is controversial among historians and theologians. Throughout the middle ages and early modern period it was a minority position relative to belief in eternal damnation, but universalism has seen a resurgence in the 21st century due to the influence of theologians such as David Bentley Hart.
It is not to be confused with Unitarian Universalism, which emerged in part from the Universalist Church but, being a non-credal faith, 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.
Biblical background
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.
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