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{{Short description|Christian belief that all will be reconciled to God}}
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{{Universalism}}
'''Christian universalism''' is a school of [[Christian theology]] focused around the doctrine of universal reconciliation – the view that all human beings will ultimately be [[Salvation in Christianity|saved]] and restored to a right [[God#Relationship with creation|relationship]] with [[God in Christianity|God]]. "Christian universalism" and "the belief or hope in the universal reconciliation through Christ" can be understood as synonyms.<ref>{{Cite book | first = Gregory | last = MacDonald | year = 2011 | title = All Shall Be Well | page = 1 | quote = At the most simple level Christian universalism is the belief that God will (or, in the case of "hopeful universalism", might) redeem all people through the saving work of Christ.}}</ref>

The term ''Christian universalism'' was used in the ''Christian Intelligencer'' in the 1820s by Russell Streeter—a descendant of [[Adams Streeter]] who had founded one of the first [[Universalist Church]]es on September 14, 1785.<ref>Russell Streeter 1835, Familiar conversations: in which the salvation of all mankind is…, page 266: "We now come to those distinguished men, Murray and Winchester, who, as our opposers would have people believe, were the inventors and first preachers of Christian Universalism."</ref><ref>''The Christian repository'': volume 9, page 218 [[Church of the United Brethren in Christ]] (1800–1889), 1829 "In a piece entitled Christian Universalism, in the Christian Intelligencer, volume 3d, page 4, he wrote the following: "The Editor," speaking of himself, "deems it a solemn obligation to protest against proceedings calculated to make an…"</ref><ref>The journal of Unitarian Universalist history: volumes 26–28 Unitarian Universalist Historical Society, 1999 "The adoption of the name Christian Universalist can, nevertheless, be explained plausibly in the context of Dean's debate with Aesop."</ref> Some Christian universalists claim that in [[Early Christianity]] (prior to the [[Christianity in the 6th century|6th century]]), this was the most common interpretation of [[Christianity]].<ref>{{Citation | orig-year = Boston & Chicago: Universalist Publishing House, 1899 | year = 2008 | publisher = Biblio bazaar | url = http://www.tentmaker.org/books/Prevailing.html | via = Tentmaker |title= Universalism: The Prevailing Doctrine of the Christian Church During its First Five Hundred Years |last=Hanson|first=John Wesley |isbn= 978-0-55956315-7}}</ref>

As a formal [[Christian denomination]], Christian universalism originated in the late 18th century with the [[Universalist Church of America]]. There is no single denomination uniting Christian universalists, but a few denominations teach some of the principles of Christian universalism or are open to them. Instead, their membership has been consolidated with the [[American Unitarian Association]] into the [[Unitarian Universalist Association]] in 1961.

== Beliefs ==
In his ''Plain Guide to Universalism'', universalist [[Thomas Whittemore (Universalist)|Thomas Whittemore]] writes, "The sentiment by which Universalists are distinguished, is this that: at last every individual of the human race shall become holy and happy. This does not comprise the whole of their faith, but, merely that feature of it which is peculiar to them and by which they are distinguished from the rest of the world."<ref>{{Cite book |url= http://www.auburn.edu/~allenkc/univ2.html |title= Plain Guide to Universalism | chapter = 2 | at = Paragraph 1 | publisher = Auburn university |access-date= 2017-03-14 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160826141910/http://www.auburn.edu/~allenkc/univ2.html|archive-date=2016-08-26 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The remaining central beliefs of Christian universalism are compatible with [[Christianity]] in general:
* God is the loving parent of all people (see [[Love of God (Christianity)|Love of God]]).
* [[Jesus in Christianity|Jesus Christ]] reveals the nature and character of God and is the spiritual leader of humankind (see [[New Covenant]]).
* Humankind is created with an [[immortal soul]] which death does not end—or a [[Christian mortalism|mortal soul]] that shall be resurrected and/or preserved by God—and which God will not wholly destroy.<ref>{{cite book|chapter-url= http://www.tentmaker.org/books/TheBibleHell.html |title= The Bible Hell |chapter=Destroy Soul and Body in Hell |first= J.W. |last=Hanson |edition= 4th |location= Boston |publisher= Universalist Publishing House |date=1888 | quote = The immortal soul is not meant, but the life. As though Jesus had said: 'Fear Not those who can only kill the body, but rather him, who if he chose could annihilate the whole being.'}}</ref>
* [[Christian views on sin|Sin]] has negative consequences for the sinner either in this life or the [[afterlife]].

In 1899, the Universalist General Convention, later called the [[Universalist Church of America]], adopted the Five Principles: the belief in God, belief in Jesus Christ, the immortality of the human soul, that sinful actions have consequence, and universal reconciliation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.auburn.edu/~allenkc/prof.html | work = Historic and Universalist Professions of Faith | title = Five Principles of Faith |publisher=Auburn University |access-date=2017-04-24 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160815164410/http://www.auburn.edu/%7Eallenkc/prof.html |archive-date=2016-08-15 |url-status= dead}}</ref>

==Views on hell==
Christian universalists disagree on whether [[Hell in Christianity|hell]] exists. However, they do agree that if it does exist, the punishment there is corrective and remedial and does not last forever.<ref>[https://www.auburn.edu/~allenkc/univ2.html  ''Plain Guide to Universalism''] {{Webarchive|url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160826141910/http://www.auburn.edu/~allenkc/univ2.html |date= 2016-08-26}} Chapter 2, Section III, Auburn: "There are some Universalists who hold to punishment after death, nevertheless, we are glad to hail them as Universalists. They agree with us in our views of the great consummation, – all punishment, in their view, is disciplinary, and they denounce punishment, either in this world or the next, having any other object, as cruel and unjust."</ref>

===Purgatorial hell and patristic universalism===
Purgatorial universalism was the belief of some of the early [[Church Fathers]], especially Greek-speaking ones such as [[Clement of Alexandria]],<ref>Brian E. Daley, ''The Hope of the Early Church: A Handbook of Patristic Eschatology'' (Cambridge University Press, 1991), 46-47.</ref> [[Origen]],<ref>Brian E. Daley, ''The Hope of the Early Church: A Handbook of Patristic Eschatology'' (Cambridge University Press, 1991), 57–58.</ref> and [[Gregory of Nyssa]].<ref>Brian E. Daley, ''The Hope of the Early Church: A Handbook of Patristic Eschatology'' (Cambridge University Press, 1991), 88–89.</ref> It asserts that the unsaved will undergo hell but that hell is remedial (neither everlasting nor purely retributive) according to key scriptures and that after purification or conversion all will enter heaven.

Fourth-century Christian theologian and bishop [[Diodorus of Tarsus]] wrote: "For the wicked there are punishments, not perpetual, however, lest the immortality prepared for them should be a disadvantage, but they are to be purified for a brief period according to the amount of malice in their works. They shall therefore suffer punishment for a short space, but immortal blessedness having no end awaits them&nbsp;... the penalties to be inflicted for their many and grave sins are very far surpassed by the magnitude of the mercy to be shown to them."<ref>J. W. Hanson, citing Assemani, ''Bibliotheca Orientalis'', III, p. 324.</ref>

[[Ilaria Ramelli]], a scholar of the early Patristic history writes, "In the minds of some, universal salvation is a heretical idea that was imported into Christianity from pagan philosophies by Origen" ({{c.|185–253/54}}).<ref>{{cite book |last1= Ramelli |first1=Ilaria |title=A Larger Hope? |volume=1. ''Universal Salvation from Christian Beginnings to Julian of Norwich'' |date=2019 |publisher=Cascade Books |isbn=978-1-61097-884-2}}</ref> Ramelli argues that this view is mistaken and that Christian theologians were the first people to proclaim that all will be saved and that their reasons for doing so were rooted in their faith in Christ.

Eastern Orthodox theologian [[David Bentley Hart]] makes the case on the basis of the earliest Christian writings, theological tradition, scripture, and logic, that if God is the good creator of all, he is the savior of all, without fail.<ref>David Bentley Hart, ''That All Shall Be Saved'' (Yale University Press, 2019). ISBN 978-0-300-23848-6</ref> In his book, ''That All Shall Be Saved'', he calls opponents of the school, who believe that some or all people are condemned to eternal damnation, "infernalists".<ref>{{cite web |last=Kilby |first=Karen |date=16 March 2020 |title=Against the Infernalists |url=https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/against-infernalists |access-date=3 June 2022 |work=[[Commonweal (magazine)|Commonweal]]}}</ref>

===Eternal hell in Christian history===
Christian Universalists assert that the doctrine of eternal Hell was not a part of Christ's teachings nor even the early church, and that it was added in.<ref>{{cite web |last=McMillen |first=Jacob |date=January 2, 2016 |url=http://brazenchurch.com/how-hell-invaded-church-doctrine/#_edn2 |title=Hell, Part 3: How & When The Idea of Eternal Torment Invaded Church Doctrine |website=Brazen Church}}</ref>{{self-published inline|date=June 2023}}  According to theologian [[Edward Beecher]], in the first four centuries there were six main theological schools, and only one of them advocated the idea of eternal hell.<ref>{{cite book |title=History of Opinions on the Scriptural Doctrine of Retribution |first=Edward |last=Beecher |author-link=Edward Beecher |location=New York |publisher=D. Appleton and Company |url=http://www.tentmaker.org/books/Retribution/retribution22.htm |chapter=22. Early Theological Seminaries and Retribution |via=Tentmaker |quote=What, then, was the state of facts as to the leading theological schools of the Christian world, in the age of Origen, and some centuries after? It was, in brief, this: There were at least six theological schools in the Church at large. Of these six schools, one, and only one, was decidedly and earnestly in favor of the doctrine of future eternal punishment. One was in favor of the annihilation of the wicked. Two were in favor of the doctrine of universal restoration on the principles of Origen, and two in favor of universal restoration on the principles of Theodore of Mopsuestia.}}</ref>

====Origins of the idea of hell as eternal====
Christian universalists point towards mistranslations of the Greek word {{lang|grc|αιών}} ({{transliteration|grc|aion}} – an epoch of time), as giving rise to the idea of eternal hell.<ref>{{Cite web |first1=Tony |last1=Nungesser |first2=Gary |last2=Amirault |url= https://www.tentmaker.org/articles/EternalPunishmentNotTrueToGreek.html |title='Eternal' Punishment (Matthew 25:46) Is NOT Found In The Greek New Testament |website=Tentmaker}}</ref> Dr. Ken Vincent writes "When it ({{transliteration|grc|aion}}) was translated into Latin Vulgate, {{transliteration|grc|aion}} became {{lang|la|aeternam}} which means 'eternal'." He also states that the first written record of the idea of an eternal hell comes from Tertullian, who wrote in Latin.

The second major source of the idea of hell as eternal was the 4th-century theologian [[Augustine of Hippo|Augustine]]. According to author Steve Gregg, it was Tertullian's writings, plus Augustine's views and writings on eternal hell, which "overwhelmed" the other views of a temporary hell. First Augustine's views of hell were accepted in the early Latin Church, Up until [[the Reformation]] Augustine's view of hell as eternal was not questioned.<ref>Gregg, Steve. ''All You ever Wanted to Know about Hell''. pp. 130–31</ref>

====Mistranslation of the Greek word {{transliteration|grc|aion}}====
About the word {{transliteration|grc|aion}} as having connotations of "age" or "temporal", the 19th-century theologian [[Marvin Vincent]] wrote:

{{blockquote|{{transliteration|grc|Aion}}, transliterated aeon, is a period of longer or shorter duration, having a beginning and an end, and complete in itself. Aristotle (peri ouranou, i. 9,15) says: "The period which includes the whole time of one's life is called the aeon of each one." Hence it often means the life of a man, as in [[Homer]], where one's life ({{transliteration|grc|aion}}) is said to leave him or to consume away (Iliad v. 685; Odyssey v. 160). It is not, however, limited to human life; it signifies any period in the course of events, as the period or age before Christ; the period of the millennium; the mythological period before the beginnings of history.

The adjective {{transliteration|grc|aionios}} in like manner carries the idea of time. Neither the noun nor the adjective, in themselves, carry the sense of endless or everlasting. They may acquire that sense by their connotation, as, on the other hand, {{transliteration|grc|aidios}}, which means everlasting, has its meaning limited to a given point of time in Jude 6. {{transliteration|grc|Aionios}} means enduring through or pertaining to a period of time. Both the noun and the adjective are applied to limited periods.

Words which are habitually applied to things temporal or material cannot carry in themselves the sense of endlessness. Even when applied to God, we are not forced to render {{transliteration|grc|aionios}} everlasting. Of course the life of God is endless; but the question is whether, in describing God as {{transliteration|grc|aionios}}, it was intended to describe the duration of his being, or whether some different and larger idea was not contemplated.<ref>{{cite web |last= Vincent |first=Marvin|title=Note on Olethron Aionion (eternal destruction) | publisher = Auburn |url= http://www.auburn.edu/~allenkc/vincent.html |work=Word Studies in the New Testament|access-date=18 June 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180521042920/http://www.auburn.edu/~allenkc/vincent.html|archive-date=21 May 2018 |url-status= dead}}</ref>}}

====Arguments against the idea of eternal hell====
Author Thomas Talbott states that if one believes in the idea of eternal hell or that some souls will be destroyed, one must either let go of the idea that it is God's wish and desire to save all beings, or accept the idea that God wants to, but will not "successfully accomplish his will and satisfy his own desire in this matter".<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia| last = Talbott | first = Thomas | contribution = Heaven and Hell in Christian Thought | title = The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy | date = Spring 2017 | editor-first = Edward N. | editor-last = Zalta | url = 
https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/spr2017/entries/heaven-hell/
| quote = Theists who accept the traditional idea of everlasting punishment, or even the idea of an everlasting separation from God, must either reject the idea that God wills or desires to save all humans and thus desires to reconcile them all to himself (see proposition (1) in section 1 above) or reject the idea that God will successfully accomplish his will and satisfy his own desire in this matter}}.</ref>

Author David Burnfield defends the postmortem view<ref>[https://www.amazon.com/Patristic-Universalism-Alternative-Traditional-Judgment/dp/1517547113/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= Burnfield], ''Patristic Universalism'', 107–149.</ref> that God continues to evangelize to people even after they die (1 Chronicles 16:34; Isaiah 9:2; Romans 8:35–39; Ephesians 4:8–9; 1 Peter 3:18–20; 4:6).

== History ==
{{See also|History of Christian universalism}}

According to the ''[[Schaff–Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge|New Schaff–Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge]]'' (1912), over the first five hundred years of Christian history there are records of at least six theological schools: four of these schools were Universalist (one each in [[Alexandria]], [[Antioch]], [[Caesarea Maritima|Caesarea]], and [[Edessa]]–[[Nisibis]]), one taught conditional immortality (in [[Ephesus]]), and the last taught eternal Hell (in [[Carthage]] or [[Rome]]). However, the Encyclopedia also notes that most contemporary scholars would take issue with classifying these early schools as Universalist.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge |title= Christian Universalism| volume= 12|location= New York, London |publisher=Funk & Wagnalls | page= 96 | via = Christian classics ethereal library |url= http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/encyc12.u.ii.html}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=June 2022}}

An important figure in early American Christian Universalism was [[George de Benneville]], a French [[Huguenot]] preacher and physician who was imprisoned for advocating Universalism and later emigrated to Pennsylvania where he continued preaching on the subject. De Benneville was noted for his friendly and respectful relationship with [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]] and his [[religious pluralism|pluralistic]] and multicultural view of spiritual truth which was well ahead of his time. One of his most significant accomplishments was helping to produce the Sauer Bible, the first German language Bible printed in America. In this Bible version, passages teaching universal reconciliation were marked in boldface.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www25-temp.uua.org/uuhs/duub/articles/georgedebenneville.html |title=George de Benneville |publisher= UUA |access-date= 2011-11-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20111004144354/http://www25-temp.uua.org/uuhs/duub/articles/georgedebenneville.html |archive-date= 2011-10-04}}</ref>

Other significant early modern Christian Universalist leaders include [[Elhanan Winchester]], a Baptist preacher who wrote several books promoting the universal salvation of all souls after a period in [[Purgatory]], who founded the first Universalist church in Philadelphia, and founded a church that ministered to enslaved [[African American]]s in South Carolina;<ref>[http://www25-temp.uua.org/uuhs/duub/articles/elhananwinchester.html "Elhanan Winchester"] {{webarchive|url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080820004906/http://www25-temp.uua.org/uuhs/duub/articles/elhananwinchester.html |date= 2008-08-20}}. UUA.</ref><ref>[http://www.tentmaker.org/biographies/elhanan-winchester.htm "Biographies: Elehan Winchester"]. TentMaker.</ref> [[Hosea Ballou]], a Universalist preacher and writer in New England;<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www25-temp.uua.org/uuhs/duub/articles/hoseaballou.html |title= Hosea Ballou |publisher= UUA |access-date=2011-11-09 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20111004144518/http://www25-temp.uua.org/uuhs/duub/articles/hoseaballou.html |archive-date= 2011-10-04}}</ref> and [[Hannah Whitall Smith]], a writer and evangelist from a Quaker background who was active in the [[Holiness movement]] as well as the [[women's suffrage]] and [[temperance movement|temperance]] movements.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.tentmaker.org/biographies/hannah-smith.htm |title= Hannah Whitall Smith |publisher= Tentmaker |access-date=2011-11-09}}</ref>

The [[Unity School of Christianity]], founded in 1889 by [[Charles Fillmore (Unity Church)|Charles]] and [[Myrtle Fillmore]], has taught some Universalist beliefs such as God's total goodness, the divine nature of human beings, and the rejection of the traditional Christian belief that God condemns people to Hell.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.unityonline.org/aboutunity/whoWeAre/faq.html#teachings |title=Frequently Asked Questions |publisher= Unity online |access-date=2011-11-09}}</ref>

In the early 20th century, some [[Primitive Baptists]] in [[Appalachia]] started espousing Universalist ideas. By 1924, these churches branched off to form the [[Primitive Baptist Universalist]]s. They are often known as "No Hellers" and believe that temporal punishment and separation from God during life is the only hell.<ref>[[Howard Dorgan|Dorgan, Howard]] (1997). ''In the Hands of a Happy God: The "No-Hellers" of Central Appalachia''. [[Knoxville, Tennessee|Knoxville]]: [[University of Tennessee|The University of Tennessee Press]]. {{ISBN|0-87049-962-9}}.</ref>

[[File:Christian Universalist symbol.svg|thumb|right|The logo of Universalist Church of America]]

The Universalist Church of America gradually declined in the early to mid 20th century and merged with the [[American Unitarian Association]] in 1961, creating the modern-day [[Unitarian Universalist Association]], which does not officially subscribe to exclusively Christian theology. Christian Universalism largely passed into obscurity for the next few decades with the end of the Universalist Church as a separate denomination. However, the [[Unitarian Universalist Christian Fellowship]] remains as an organization for Christians from the Unitarian Universalist tradition and liberal Christians interested in [[Unitarianism]] and Universalism.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.uuchristian.org/S_Who.html |title=Who Are The UU Christians? |publisher=UU Christian fellowship |access-date= 2011-11-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20111004141928/http://www.uuchristian.org/S_Who.html |archive-date= 2011-10-04}}</ref>

Some Christians from a [[Pentecostal]] background who were involved in the [[Latter Rain (post-World War II movement)|Latter Rain Movement]] of the 1940s and 1950s came to believe in the ideas of Christian Universalism on their own, separately from the Universalist Church tradition. They emphasized the teachings of universal reconciliation and [[Theosis (Eastern Orthodox theology)|theosis]]. These ideas were spread primarily through newsletters and traveling evangelists from the 1950s to 1980s, and were not typically identified by the term "Universalism". The only significant organization representing these beliefs that emerged within the [[Charismatic movement|Charismatic tradition]] was the Home Missions Church, a loosely organized network of ministers and house churches founded in 1944.{{citation needed|date=August 2022}}

In 2007, the Christian Universalist Association was founded by thirteen ministers from diverse denominational backgrounds as an ecumenical organization promoting a revival of Christian universalism.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://christianuniversalist.org/2022/05/the-origin-of-the-cua/ |title=The Origin of the CUA |publisher= Christian Universalist Association |access-date=2022-12-06}}</ref>

===Universal reconciliation and pre-modern Christianity===

Yale Professor of Philosophy Keith DeRose points out that in the Christian Scriptures there are verses which point to universal reconciliation and verses which point to destruction or eternal punishment for some. If looking only to scripture, he argues that Universalism is not only based in scripture, but has a stronger scriptural backing than the position of destruction or eternal damnation. Like early Christians, he points to Purgatorial Hell, a temporary place of cleansing of sin that will be necessary for some as a way to reconcile these seeming differences.<ref>{{Cite web|url= http://campuspress.yale.edu/keithderose/1129-2/#11 | publisher = Yale |title = Universalism and the Bible | first = Keith | last = DeRose}}</ref>

== Modern types ==
There are three general types of Christian Universalism today – Evangelical Universalism, Charismatic Universalism, and Liberal Christian Universalism – which by themselves or in combination with one another describe the vast majority of currently existing and identifiable versions of Christian Universalist belief and practice.

===Evangelical Universalism===
The type of Christian Universalism that departs the least from orthodox or traditional Protestant Christian doctrine is Evangelical (Christian) Universalism, also called Biblical or [[Trinitarian Universalism]].  Evangelical Universalists hold to conservative positions on most theological or doctrinal issues except for the doctrine of [[hell]], in which case they assert [[universal reconciliation]] instead of eternal torment.<ref>[http://jasonclark.church/blogs/2008/02/evangelical-universalism-oxymoron/ "Evangelical Universalism – Oxymoron"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170106081812/https://jasonclark.church/blogs/2008/02/evangelical-universalism-oxymoron |date=2017-01-06 }}. Jason Clark church, February 25, 2008.</ref> They tend to emphasize the [[substitutionary atonement]] of Jesus Christ for the sins of all humanity as the basis for their Universalism.

In 2006 a mainstream evangelical writer, revealed<ref>{{cite web|first=Robin |last=Parry |url= https://theologicalscribbles.blogspot.com/2009/08/i-am-evangelical-universalist.html |title= I am the Evangelical Universalist | work = Theological scribbles | publisher = Google Blogspot |date=2009-08-29 |access-date=2011-11-09}}</ref> as [[Robin Parry]] in 2009, under the pseudonym of "Gregory MacDonald" (taken from the names, [[Gregory of Nyssa]] and [[George MacDonald]]) released a book, ''The Evangelical Universalist''.<ref name= "MacDonald">MacDonald, Gregory (a pseudonym). 2006. ''The Evangelical Universalist.'' {{ISBN|1-59752-365-8}}</ref> In 2008 this inspired the creation of a forum,<ref>{{cite web|url= http://evangelicaluniversalist.com/ |title= Forum |publisher= Evangelical universalist |access-date= 2011-11-09}}</ref> featuring "Gregory MacDonald" and [[Thomas Talbott]], to discuss Evangelical Universalism and related topics. Evangelical Universalists derive a large part of their beliefs from [[Evangelicalism]] and [[Reformed theology]].  Many of them come from an Evangelical Christian background, but they may or may not identify with this movement and seek to remain with it.

Some Evangelical Universalists avoid using the word "Universalism" to describe their beliefs, perhaps because of the negative connotations of this word among conservative Christians. Alternative terms that are in use among Evangelical Universalists include the "Larger Hope" or "Blessed Hope" and the "Victorious Gospel".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tentmaker.org/feuds/feuds_index.html |title=Tentmaker Ministries battles for the Victorious Gospel of Jesus Christ |first=Gary |last=Amirault |publisher=Tentmaker Ministries |access-date= 2011-11-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927050431/http://www.tentmaker.org/feuds/feuds_index.html|archive-date= 2011-09-27 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Charismatic Universalism===
Some Christians with a background in the [[Charismatic movement]] or [[Pentecostalism]] have developed a version of Universalism which could be called Charismatic (Christian) Universalism.  Charismatic Universalists usually do not call their theology "Universalism" but commonly refer to their specific beliefs by the terms "Reconciliation" (shorthand for universal reconciliation, the doctrine of [[apocatastasis]]) and "Sonship" (shorthand for "Manifest Sonship" which is a variant of the doctrine of [[Divinization (Christian)|theosis]]).<ref>[http://www.kingdombiblestudies.org/Revelation/rev33.htm "From The Candlestick to the Throne], Part 33, The Church in Ephesus" (section "I Will Remove Your Candlestick").  Kingdom Bible studies.  "the teaching or doctrine of reconciliation, sonship and the kingdom".</ref>  The term "[[Feast of Tabernacles]]" is used by some Charismatic Universalists as a term for their post-Pentecostal spiritual tradition, reflecting a symbolic interpretation of this Jewish festival as an entrance into a fuller knowledge and relationship with God and understanding of God's plan for humanity.<ref>[http://gods-kingdom-ministries.org/COLDFUSION/Chapter.cfm?CID=237 "Chapter 7 The Feast of Tabernacles"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213184958/http://gods-kingdom-ministries.org/COLDFUSION/Chapter.cfm?CID=237 |date=2012-02-13 }}.  God's kingdom ministries.</ref><ref>[https://toseekthelight.blogspot.com/2007/12/coming-into-light-part-1.html  "Coming into Light prt 1"]. To Seek The Light blog.</ref>

Charismatic Universalism is marked by its emphasis on theosis; the idea that the [[return of Christ]] is a body of perfected human beings who are the "Manifested Sons of God" instead of a literal return of the person of Jesus;<ref>[http://www.hearingthetruthofgod.com/id69.html "ID69"] {{webarchive |url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080719083646/http://www.hearingthetruthofgod.com/id69.html |date=2008-07-19}} and [http://www.hearingthetruthofgod.com/id349.html "ID349"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509073941/http://hearingthetruthofgod.com/id349.html |date=2008-05-09}}. Hearing the truth of God.</ref> the idea that these Sons will reign on the earth and transform all other human beings from sin to perfection during an age that is coming soon (a version of [[millennialism]]);<ref>[http://www.hearingthetruthofgod.com/id269.html "ID269"] {{webarchive|url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080509071504/http://hearingthetruthofgod.com/id269.html |date= 2008-05-09}} Hearing the Truth of God.</ref> and the absolute sovereignty of God, the nonexistence or severe limitation of human [[free will]], and the inevitable triumph of God's plan of universal reconciliation.<ref>[http://www.tentmaker.org/articles/savior-of-the-world/FreeMoralAgent-Eby.html "Free Moral Agent-Eby"], Tentmaker.</ref><ref>[http://www.hearingthetruthofgod.com/id116.html "ID116"] {{webarchive|url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080509064944/http://hearingthetruthofgod.com/id116.html |date=2008-05-09}}. Hearing the truth of God.</ref>

Many Charismatic Universalists meet in [[house churches]] or do not belong to a church at all.  Most of the evidence of Universalism existing as a school of thought within the Charismatic movement is found in a large number of internet-based ministries that are informally networked with one another.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://sigler.org/kingdom/page1.html |title= Kingdom |publisher=Sigler |access-date=2011-11-09}}</ref>

===Liberal Christian Universalism===
[[Liberal Christian]] Universalists include some members of [[mainline Protestant]] denominations, some people influenced by the [[New Age]] and [[New Thought]] movements, some people in the [[emerging church]] movement, some [[Unitarian Universalists]] who continue to follow Jesus as their primary spiritual teacher, and some Christians from other religious backgrounds.

Liberal Christian Universalism emphasizes the all-inclusive love of God and tends to be more open to finding truth and value in non-Christian spiritual traditions compared to the attitude of other forms of Christian Universalism, while remaining generally Christ-centered.<ref>[http://www.savioroftheworld.net/nonchristian.htm Non-Christian]. Savior of the world.</ref>  In contrast to Evangelical Universalism, Liberal Christian Universalism views the Bible as an imperfect human document containing divine revelations, is not necessarily Trinitarian, and often downplays or rejects blood atonement theology in its view of the [[crucifixion of Jesus]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.universalist-herald.net/Theology.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509093547/http://www.universalist-herald.net/Theology.html|url-status=dead|title=Theology|archivedate=May 9, 2008|website=www.universalist-herald.net}}</ref><ref>[http://www.newbeginningministries.com/articles/metaphysical_bible.html "Metaphysical Bible"] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828081340/http://www.newbeginningministries.com/articles/metaphysical_bible.html |date= 2008-08-28}}, New Beginning Ministries.</ref>  Some Liberal Christian Universalists believe in [[Christian mysticism|mystical]] philosophies such as [[panentheism]] and [[process theology]], [[Gnostic]] or [[New Age]] ideas such as the [[preexistence]] and [[reincarnation]] of the soul,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://perfectdomain.com/domain/newbeginningministries.com|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080910053949/http://www.newbeginningministries.com/articles/Oneness_True_Spiritual_Life.html|url-status=usurped|title=Oneness|archivedate=September 10, 2008|website=newbeginningministries.com}}</ref><ref>[http://www.savioroftheworld.net/conclusion.htm "Conclusion"]  and [http://www.savioroftheworld.net/reincarnation.htm  "Reincarnation"]. Savior of the World.</ref> and [[New Thought]] ideas such as the [[law of attraction (New Thought)|law of attraction]].<ref>[http://www.sptimes.com/2007/07/14/news_pf/Pasco/Pastor_compares_churc.shtml "Pastor compares church"]. SPTimes, July 14, 2007.</ref><ref>[http://www.newbeginningministries.com/articles/you_are_not_your_dna.html "You are not your DNS"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828081718/http://www.newbeginningministries.com/articles/you_are_not_your_dna.html|date=2008-08-28}}. New beginnings ministries.</ref>

The [[Unitarian Universalist Christian Fellowship]] is an organization for Liberal Christian Universalists, especially those who belong to the [[Unitarian Universalist Association]]. The [[Unity Church]] is a liberal Christian denomination which teaches some Universalist beliefs.<ref>[http://www.bible.ca/cr-Unity.htm "Unity"]. Bible.ca</ref><ref>[http://www.unityonline.org/aboutunity/whoWeAre/faq.html#teachings "Who we are: Teachings"]. Unity Online.</ref>

The [[Liberal Catholic Church]] believes in Universal Salvation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Catholic Universalist Church of Asia Pacific |url=https://catholicuniversalistchurch-apac.weebly.com/ |access-date=2024-07-24 |website=Catholic Universalist Church of Asia Pacific |language=en}}</ref> Within its articles of faith it declares: "We believe that God is Love and Power and Truth and Light;
that perfect justice rules the world;
that all His sons shall one day reach His feet, however far they stray."<ref>{{cite web | url=https://churchofsaintfrancis.org/what-we-believe/ | title=What We Believe | date=16 March 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | work = Liberal Catholic |url= http://members.tripod.com/~LiberalCatholic/tenets.htm |title = The Liberal Catholic Act of Faith |publisher= Tripod |access-date= 2011-11-09}}</ref>

=== Hybrid types ===
{{Original research|section|date= March 2010}}
Prior to his death in November 2023, former Pentecostal Bishop [[Carlton Pearson]] promoted his "Gospel of Inclusion" with his teachings and beliefs being a hybrid between Charismatic and Liberal Christian Universalism. A minister in the liberal Christian denomination of the [[United Church of Christ]], Pearson continued to believe in ideas and practices of Pentecostal or Charismatic forms of Christianity.  Pearson incorporated New Age and New Thought teachings into his message.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.ntmo.org/?content=pearson.php?PHPSESSID=0f1e95c29d11ac1558ac58469d358842 |title=New Thought Ministries of Oregon |access-date=2011-11-09}}</ref> Pearson was declared a heretic by his Christian Pentecostal and Charismatic peers in 2004.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anton |date=2023-11-20 |title=Carlton Pearson's Gospel of Inclusion |url=https://www.apologeticsindex.org/36-carlton-pearson |access-date=2024-07-24 |website=Apologetics Index |language=en-US}}</ref>

[[Brian McLaren]] is a Christian leader in the emerging church movement who is sympathetic to the idea of Universalism but does not embrace it.<ref>[http://blog.christianitytoday.com/outofur/archives/2006/05/brian_mclarens.html "Brian's rejection that he is a Universalist"], Out of Ur, Christianity today, 2006 May,  {{webarchive|url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090808045453/http://blog.christianitytoday.com/outofur/archives/2006/05/brian_mclarens.html |date= 2009-08-08}}.</ref><ref>[http://theresurgence.com/?q=node/5 "Mark Driscoll criticizes fellow Evangelical Brian McLaren for his "denial of hell" and other liberal theological ideas."] The resurgence. {{webarchive |url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110524085722/http://theresurgence.com/?q=node%2F5 |date=2011-05-24}}</ref><ref>[http://www.beliefnet.com/story/173/story_17371_1.html "McLaren discusses his struggle"] with the doctrine of eternal hell and his unwillingness to embrace and preach it. Belief net.</ref>

A number of ministers and evangelists connected with Restoration Nation conferences are Universalists who draw from both the Evangelical and Charismatic traditions.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20211019205517/https://restoration-nation.tv/ "Videos of many conference speakers"]. Restoration nation TV.</ref>  One notable example is Robert Rutherford, a minister from Georgia (USA) who was a finalist on [[The Learning Channel]]'s 2006 [[reality TV]] series ''The Messengers''.<ref>[http://tlc.discovery.com/fansites/messengers/bios/meet_messengers.html "Meet the Messengers"] {{webarchive|url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080705072848/http://tlc.discovery.com/fansites/messengers/bios/meet_messengers.html |date= 2008-07-05}}. Discovery.</ref><ref>[http://www.robertrutherford.org Robert Rutherford blog].</ref>  Another example is Dick King, an independent Charismatic Baptist pastor in North Little Rock, Arkansas, whose church left the [[Southern Baptist Convention]] in 2004.<ref>[http://www.indianhillschurch.org/our_journey.asp "Our Journey"] {{webarchive |url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080706133404/http://www.indianhillschurch.org/our_journey.asp |date= 2008-07-06}}.  Indian Hills Church.</ref>

===Modern proponents===
The conversion of Bishop [[Carlton Pearson]] to a form of Universalism and his subsequent excommunication by the Joint College of African-American Pentecostal Bishops in 2004 caused Christian Universalism to gain increased media attention because of Pearson's popularity and celebrity status.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.washtimes.com/news/2004/apr/20/20040420-104557-5370r/ |work= The Washington Times|title= 'Inclusionism' deemed heresy |date= 2004-04-20 |access-date= 2011-11-09}}</ref>

Since 2007, the Christian Universalist Association has ordained more than 30 ministers in the United States and other countries who believe in Christian universalism.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://christianuniversalist.org/ministers/ |title= Ministers > Christian Universalist Association |date= 22 February 2013 |access-date=2022-12-06}}</ref>

In 2024, Pope [[Pope Francis|Francis]] said that "What I am going to say is not a dogma of faith but my own personal view: I like to think of hell as empty; I hope it is."<ref>{{Cite web |last=CNA |title=Pope Francis: ‘I like to think of hell as empty’ |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/256542/pope-francis-i-like-to-think-of-hell-as-empty |access-date=2025-03-21 |website=Catholic News Agency |language=en}}</ref> A proponent of the idea of universal salvation is also the Polish Cardinal [[Grzegorz Ryś]], who in an interview on September 26, 2024, claimed that "[...] all people, regardless of which religion they profess, OR WHETHER THEY PROFESS NONE AT ALL, are saved through the death, resurrection, and ascension of the Lord Jesus".<ref>„Spór o tradycję. Między słowami św. Łukasza i św. Jana” | kard. Grzegorz Ryś. Dostemp: 09.10.2024 (1:03:33—1:03:57) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2yNOVWpwf8]</ref>

===Disagreements===
There are many religious issues on which Christian Universalists disagree with each other, depending on their theological background and denominational tradition.  Some examples include:
* Various views of [[Atonement in Christianity|atonement]]
* Whether non-Christians are saved through other means ([[inclusivism]]), or whether salvation occurs only after profession of belief in the Lordship of Jesus Christ ([[exclusivism]]).

== See also ==
{{Portal|Christianity}}
{{columns-list|colwidth=25em|
*[[Annihilationism]]
*''[[Apocatastasis|Apokatastasis]]''
*[[Catechetical School of Alexandria]]
*[[Divinization (Christian)]]
*[[Essence–energies distinction]]
*[[Hypothetical universalism]]
*[[List of Christian Universalists]]
*[[Love of Christ]]
*[[Love of God in Christianity]]
*[[Omnibenevolence]]
*[[Primitive Baptist Universalist]]
*[[Problem of Hell]]
*[[Salvation (Christianity)]]
*[[School of Antioch]]
*[[School of Nisibis|Schools of Nisibis]] and [[School of Edessa|Edessa]]
*[[Trinitarian Universalism]]
*[[Unconditional love]]
*[[Universal reconciliation]]
*[[Unlimited atonement]]
*"[[Unto the ages of ages]]"
}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==

*Bell, Rob ‘’Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived.’’ 2011, New York City, Harper-one, ISBN 9780062049643
* {{cite book|last=Bressler|first= Ann Lee|title=The Universalist Movement in America, 1770–1880|location= New York|publisher= Oxford University Press|date= 2001}}
* [https://www.amazon.com/Patristic-Universalism-Alternative-Traditional-Judgment/dp/1517547113/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= Burnfield, David "Patristic Universalism" An Alternative to the Traditional View of Divine Judgment Paperback – January 28, 2016]
* [[Ezekiel Stone Wiggins]] ''Universalism unfounded being a complete analysis and refutation of the system'' Published 1867 in [[Nepean, Ontario]] [https://openlibrary.org/books/OL24339748M/Universalism_unfounded Universalism unfounded]
* {{cite book|title=Universalism in America: A Documentary History of a Liberal Faith|editor-first=Ernest|editor-last=Cassara|date=1971|publisher=Skinner House Books}}
*Smith, Graeme (2004) ''Oxford 1937: the Universal Christian Council for Life and Work Conference''. Frankfurt am Main: Peter Lang ISBN 3631522320

== External links ==

{{sister project links|n=no|d=Q3360416|v=no|voy=no|mw=no|m=no|species=no|s=Category:Christian Universalism|commons=no|b=no}}
* [https://christianuniversalism.church/ Recommended Authors and Books about Universal Ultimate Reconciliation] – A new hub for Christian Universalist authors and resources.
* [https://christianuniversalist.org/ The Christian Universalist Association] – Ecumenical organization teaching Christian universalism and providing ministerial ordination for pastors and chaplains who believe in it.
* [http://www.catholicuniversalistchurch.org/ The Catholic Universalist Church] – Apostolic, Sacramental Church in the Liberal Catholic tradition that primarily preaches the gospel of Universal Reconciliation.{{dead link|date=February 2022}}
* [http://www.hkbu.edu.hk/~ppp/ksp2/KCR8.htm Christianity as the Universal Religion], Chapter Eight in Stephen Palmquist, [http://www.hkbu.edu.hk/~ppp/ksp2 Kant's Critical Religion] (Aldershot: Ashgate, 2000) – Demonstrates that the 18th century philosopher, [[Immanuel Kant]], regarded the Christian religion as the only "natural religion" that has the potential to be spread to all human beings.(403 Forbidden)
* [http://www.biblicaluniversalism.org Evangelical Universalism] – A website with articles, books, and other materials promoting the biblical doctrine of Evangelical Universalism.
* [https://afkimel.wordpress.com/ Eclectic Orthodoxy] – A blog with resources and discussions centering on Universal Reconciliation from an Eastern Orthodox standpoint.
* [http://www.evangelicaluniversalist.com/forum/ Evangelical Universalist Forum] – Evangelical Universalism Discussion Forum
* Patristic Universalism, Questions and Answers website  [https://patristicuniversalism.com/ www.patristicuniversalism.com] 
* [http://www.epochalypsis.org/christian-universalism-treatise A Case for Christian Universalism] – A website devoted to supporting Christian Universalism biblically.
* [http://www.tsdowntown.com/ The Sanctuary Downtown Church] – Peter Hiett as Pastor / a Church that celebrates God's relentless love.
* [https://tentmaker.org/ Tentmaker Ministries] – A large website full of articles, online books, and other resources promoting Christian Universalism.
* [http://campuspress.yale.edu/keithderose/1129-2 Universalism and the Bible] – Keith DeRose, Professor of Philosophy at Yale University, defends universalism on biblical grounds.

{{Unitarian, Universalist, and Unitarian Universalist topics}}
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