"Christian Universalism", in its simple and proper theological sense, is the doctrine of universal reconciliation, universal salvation; or in other words, of the final holiness and happiness of all mankind, to be effected by the grace of God, through the ministry of his Son, Jesus Christ.

"The glory of God, and of His Son Jesus Christ, as manifested in the final holiness and happiness of all men, is the central sun of Universalism." -- Thomas Whittemore, 1840

Recently Added Articles Note on Olethron Aionion (Eternal Destruction) - from "Word Studies in the New Testament" by Marvin Vincent Moral Health - From "The Christian Helper: or Gospel Sermons for Congregations and Families," Vol. III. - 1858 What is Universalism? - From the "Universalist Herald," February 15, 1891. The Inestimable Value of Souls - By Adin Ballou, 1810 Is Universalism a Licentious Doctrine? - From the "Universalist Herald," May 4, 1860 Constitution, Profession of Faith, and Covenant of the first Independent Church of Christ, in the city of Troy, N.Y. called Restorationist. - Published in the "Universalist Herald," May 12, 1827.

"God will seek us -- how long? Until he finds us. And when he's found the last little shriveling rebellious soul and has depopulated hell, then death will be swallowed up in victory, and Christ will turn over all things to the Father that he may be all and in all. Then every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Clarence Jordan - (founder of Koinonia Community)

"It is often remarked by those who oppose the doctrine of universal salvation, that if God is the Savior of all men, then there is no difference between the saint and the sinner, the believer and unbeliever. Those who make this remark, seem to forget, that while God is declared to be the Savior of all men, he is also said to be ESPECIALLY the Savior of the believer. Though it is true, that God is the Savior of all, yet a little more attention would teach you, that all along, in Scripture, there is a salvation held forth as the SPECIAL PROPERTY of the believer, in which the unbeliever can have no part or lot. Though all shall be saved with an everlasting salvation, yet the believer ALONE can enjoy this special salvation." -- Rev. I. D. Williamson, 1840 The Nature of Salvation

"In the first five or six centuries of Christianity there were six theological schools, of which four (Alexandria, Antioch, Caesarea, and Edessa, or Nisibis) were Universalist, one (Ephesus) accepted conditional immortality; one (Carthage or Rome) taught endless punishment of the wicked. Other theological schools are mentioned as founded by Universalists, but their actual doctrine on this subject is not known." "The Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge" by Schaff-Herzog, 1908, volume 12, page 96

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Articles of Faith - 1790     Of the Holy Scriptures. We believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to contain a revelation of the perfections and will of God, and the rule of faith and practice.     Of the Supreme Being. We believe in one God, infinite in all his perfections, and that these perfections are all modifications of infinite, adorable, incomprehensible, and unchangeable love.     Of the Mediator. We believe that there is one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, in whom dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, who by giving himself a ransom for all, hath redeemed them to God by his blood; and who, by the merit of his death, and the efficacy of his spirit, will finally restore the whole human race to happiness.     Of the Holy Ghost. We believe in the Holy Ghost, whose office is to make known to sinners the truth of this salvation, through the medium of the Holy Scriptures, and to reconcile the hearts of the children of men to God, and thereby to dispose them to genuine holiness.     Of Good Works. We believe in the obligation of the moral law as to the rule of life; and we hold, that the love of God manifested to man in a redeemer, is the best means of producing obedience to that law, and promoting a holy, active, and useful life.

The Winchester Profession of 1803     We believe that the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments contain a revelation of the character of God, and of the duty, interest and final destination, of mankind.     We believe there is one God, whose nature is love; revealed in one Lord Jesus Christ, by one Holy Spirit of Grace, who will finally restore the whole family of mankind to holiness and happiness.     We believe that holiness and true happiness are inseparably connected; and that believers ought to maintain order, and practice good works, for these things are good and profitable unto men. (Some later added a 4th article to the above profession as follows)     We believe that God, as the moral governor of the universe, will restore righteous and equitable rewards and punishments upon all mankind according to their several characters or deserts; but that all punishment will be remedial, and consequently limited.

Proposed Profession of 1887     I believe that the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments contain a revelation from God to mankind.     I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; in Jesus Christ, His Son, who is the Revealer of God and the Savior of the world; and in His Holy Spirit, the Comforter, through which all disciples of Christ are united in one spiritual body.     I believe in the necessity of personal regeneration; in the forgiveness of sins; in the certainty of retribution; in the immortality of the human soul; and in the final holiness and happiness of all mankind.     I believe that the opportunities, obligations and rewards of religion are in their nature eternal, and of such immediate urgency that I ought to strive earnestly for present salvation, by repenting of my sins and diligently using the means of grace which, in His mercy, God has provided for me.

The Five Principles of Faith (1899) 1. The Universal Fatherhood of God 2. The spiritual authority and leadership     of His Son Jesus Christ 3. The trustworthiness of the Bible as     containing a revelation from God 4. The certainty of just retribution for sin 5. The final harmony of all souls with God

An Affirmation of Faith (1903)     "I believe in God, the Father Almighty and Universal; and in Jesus Christ his Son, the true teacher, example, and Savior of the world.     I believe in the Holy Spirit, the quickener and comforter of men.     I believe in the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as a revelation of righteousness, truth and love.     I believe in the Holy Church Universal; in the communion of saints; in the certainty of punishment for transgression; in the forgiveness of sins; in the life immortal; in the final triumph of goodness and mercy; and in the union and harmony, at last, of all souls with God."

• The Beauty of Christian Universalism - "Christian Universalism appears to me very simple, consistent, and beautiful. It regards this world as God's, and the whole human family as His children. It accepts without distrust the fundamental fact of the gospel, that God, out of his great love to mankind, now alienated from him by sin, sent his only begotten Son to seek and to save that which was lost, and by redeeming men from sin, to restore them to their right relations with God, and thus fit them to glorify and enjoy Him forever. - (adapted from the book "Endless Punishment In the Very Words of Its Advocates", by Thomas J. Sawyer - 1880)

• The Pathway to Glory - By Evangelist Leon A. Bynoe. Discusses "The way of God's Spririt," "Why did God give His Son for us?, "How may I receive salvation?," among other important topics.

• A Case for Universal Restoration By Steve Jones.The subject of personal eschatology -- humankinds ultimate destiny -- has always received ample attention in the Christian tradition. Evangelistic preachers set forth heaven and hell to their flocks. Tracts and billboards challenge passersby with the solemn inquiry, Where will you spend eternity?

• Answers to 21 Anti-universalist Objections - by Steve Jones. Answers to the following objections and many more are answered in this article: If universal restoration is true, why be a Christian now? If all will be saved someday, why evangelize? Doesnt universalism minimize the seriousness of sin? Are you denying that it is appointed for men once to die, but after this the judgment?

• Absurdities Exposed: Letters from a Universalist Minister - Here are chapters (abridged) from the book Footprints heavenward: or, Universalism the more excellent way, by Steere, M. J. (Boston: J.M. Usher), 1861.

• A Brief Introduction to the Christian Universalist Faith -- "Christian Universalism", in its simple and proper theological sense, is the doctrine of universal reconciliation, universal salvation; or in other words, of the final holiness and happiness of all mankind, to be effected by the grace of God, through the ministry of his Son, Jesus Christ.

• Christian Universalist Beliefs - The Bible is the creed of the Christian Universalist. In this respect, the Christian Universalist beliefs are the same as most other Christians differing mainly in the extent of God's love and the final results of His salvation. But as they have been, at various periods, much misrepresented by their opposers, a Profession of Belief, embracing those important points of doctrine in which all Christian Universalists are agreed, eventually became necessary.

• Will God Save All or Only Some? -- "There is no salvation for anyone at any time except through Jesus Christ and His saving work. It is only through His death, burial, and resurrection life that all will be saved. There will be no failure here. He was manifested to put away sin and to destroy the works of the Devil (Heb.9:26; 1 Jn.3:8). He will not stop until He has accomplished these ends."

• Will All Who Die In Adam Be Made Alive In Christ? -- "Man was made for life, but death swallows up the race. Is death always to be the abject, heartbreaking end of life, or will death some day be vanquished and its victims freed? The right answer to this question reveals a triumphant Savior, strengthens faith in God, gives true comfort, and inspires worship, thanksgiving and joy. The right answer is God's answer."

  • For other Concordant Studies, click here

• Questions Without Answers - A list of 213 questions that will help to clarify God's plan of salvation as set forth in the Holy Bible, so that when questions are asked, correct answers can be given. To those holding a limited view of God's plan of salvation, they are truly Questions Without Answers, but, to those who rely on God's Word, the answers become apparent as His truth is revealed to them. The questions were written by A. C. Thomas and appeared in a book written by E. H. Lake in 1855, entitled "The Key to Truth".

  

• "A Pocket Cyclopedia, Brief Explanations of Religious Terms", written by John Wesley Hanson in 1892. Supplementary information has been provided from other sources for some of the terms.

• Summary of Conclusions - From the Book by J. W. Hanson, first published in 1899: "Universalism: The Prevailing Doctrine of the Christian Church During Its First Five Hundred Years"

• Christian Universalism: True Biblical Christianity - By Chaplain Ken Allen, The faith of the early Christians revealing the True Grace of God.

• What Is Christian Universalism? - by Chaplain Ken Allen. A definition and clarification of Christian Universalism.

• The Essential Principles of Christian Universalism - A statement embracing the essential principles held in common by the Universalist ministers generally. Prepared in 1878 by a group of Universalist ministers in Boston, (which included A.A. Miner, T. J. Sawyer, C. R. Moor, O. F. Safford, and A. St. John Chambre, and others).

• What is Universalism? - An 1860's tract published by the Universalist Sunday School Union of Philadelphia. Defines the doctrine of Universalism and the System of Faith that developed around the doctrine.

• Affirmations of Univeralism - A sermon by Quillen Hamilton Shinn (1845-1907): "THE word Destiny distinguishes us from Christians of other churches. We believe in a good destiny for all. We believe God will make all his bad children good; he wants to, and he can. He has the disposition, the power, the means, and the time. If love is all conquering, there is no foe it will not subdue, not even the rebellious will of man. We believe more than our brethren of other churches, not less. No faith is so grand or complete as ours, and yet so misunderstood. All benevolent people want it to be true, but think it is too good to be true. The selfish man hopes for something better, and looks forward to it, for himself. The benevolent man--and every Christian is one--is looking forward to something better for all the other members of the great family; and he will never be satisfied and perfectly happy until there is something better for all. Questions asked every day betray the general ignorance prevailing as to the beliefs of Universalism. People ask if we believe in God, if we believe in Christ, if we believe in the Bible, if we believe in a hereafter, if we believe in prayer, and even if we believe in punishment,-- when I know of no Christian people who emphasize as strongly as we do the absolute certainty of punishment. It seems to be the opinion of most all Christian people that our church is founded upon negations, whereas our affirmations express stronger faith than that professed by any other church on earth.

• An Interesting Question From Christ Triumphant by Thomas Allin - 1890. Do the evil effects of long continued willful sin ever wholly pass away?

• "Aion" and aionios. From "Christ Triumphant" by Thomas Allin, 1890. These are the originals of the terms rendered by our translators "everlasting," "for ever and ever:" and on this translations, so misleading, a vast portion of the popular dogma of endless torment is built up.

• I am a Convinced Universalist by William Barclay.

  

• Plain Guide To Universalism -by Thomas Whittemore, 1840.
  • Introductory Remarks
  • Who Are Universalists ? - A short history of Universalism.
  • What Do Universalists Believe?
  • Profession of Belief
  • Bible Creed
  • Scriptural Evidence of Universalism
  • Celebration of the Lord's Supper

• The Restitution of All Things - by Andrew Jukes, 1867 (For this book in PDF format, click here. For some recent reviews and comments about this book, click here)
  • Forward (By Kenneth W. Eckerty)
  • Preface
  • A Brief Outline (Table of Contents)
  • Two questions for the present day -- the nature of Scripture and the doctrine of eternal punishment
  • The Nature of Scripture
    • The Incarnate Word the key to the Written Word
  • The Teaching of Scripture as to the destiny of the Human race
    • Apparently contradictory
    • Eternal punishement and the restitution of all things
    • The common explanation -- unsatisfactory
    • The truth that solves the riddle
  • Popular Objections to this doctrine
    • First -- It is opposed to the teaching of the Church
    • Secondly -- It is opposed to Reason
    • Thirdly -- It is opposed to Scripture
  • Concluding Remarks

• Are You Really a Christian Universalist?

• The Outcome of Infinite Grace - By Dr. Loyal Hurley -“The last enemy to be destroyed is death!” It was this verse which caused the author, a pastor, to study afresh the subject of the fate of the wicked. The three choices apparent from a surface reading of various biblical texts were eternal torment, extermination or ultimate reconciliation. The author studied to find which one was true. This book is a result of that study. Says the author, “If it proves as satisfying to the reader as it has to the writer we shall have a delightful time ‘rejoicing in hope of the glory of God.’ ”

• Universal Reconciliation, God's Ultimate Intention - by Albert Jenke.

• The Beauties of Universalism - From the "Evangelical Repository," May 12, 1827

• Preaching the Gospel - From "Counsel and Encouragement: Discourses on the Conduct of Life", by Hosea Ballou, 2D., D.D. Written in 1866.

• Why Impartial Grace is an Occasion of Reproach - From "Counsel and Encouragement: Discourses on the Conduct of Life", by Hosea Ballou, 2D., D.D. Written in 1866.

• What If Some Do Not Believe? - From the "Universalist Herald and Progressionist," October 7, 1859

• Short Articles From Various Universalist Newspapers and Magazines
  • Who Are Universalists?
  • The Gospel -- Faith, Unbelief
  • Salvation -- What Is It?
  • The New Birth
  • The Importance of the New Birth
  • Comfort of Universalism

• Universalists of Today. Who They Are and What They Believe. By Dr. John van Schaik, Jr. editor of the "Universalist Leader," 1925

• What Good Will It Do To Preach Universal Salvation? Contrasts preaching or teaching Universalism with Calvinism (predestination) and Arminianism (free will). Published in "The Herald of Salvation" - Saturday, Dec. 18, 1824.

• Why teach or preach Universal Reconciliation if everyone is eventually to be saved? - Some answers from members of True Grace Ministries

  

• Theology of Universalism - by Thomas Baldwin Thayer, 1862.
  • God - His Attributes and Their Relation to Human Destiny
    • God the Creator - Existence of Evil
    • The Wisdom of God -- The Plan of Creation
    • The Power of God
    • The Goodness of God
    • The Justice of God
  • Salvation -- What It Is. The New Testament Doctrine
  • The Scriptural Doctrine Concerning Hell
    • Hades -- Its Scriptural Import and usage. "The Rich Man and Lazarus."

• The Biblical Doctrine of Hell - From "The Origin and History of the Doctrine of Endless Punishment", By Thomas B. Thayer. Written in 1855.

• An Exposition and Defense of Universalism - by Rev. I. D. Williamson, 1840.
  • Sermon I - Introductory
  • Sermon XI - Nature of Salvation
  • Sermon XIV - Influence of Universalism

  

• A Series of Sermons in Defense of the Doctrine of Universal Salvation - by Otis A. Skinner, 1842
  • The Doctrine of Endless Misery Not Taught In The Bible
  • The Faith Necessary to Constitute a Christian
  
   

• Articles from the "Universalist's Book of Reference." -- By E. E. Guild, written in 1853.
  • The Articles of Faith, Plan of Church Government of Universalists in the United States and British Provinces.
  • Facts in Relation to the History of Universalism.
  • Mistakes of Partialists Concerning Universalists
  • Difference in the Belief of Partialists and Universalists - All the various denominations of professing Christians may be classed under three heads: Calvinists, Arminians, and Universalists. A chart of the agreement and the difference in the religious opinions of these three classes on the most important doctrines of Christianity are delineated in this article.

• The Ultimate Redemptive Purposes of God - Scriptures Concerning the Reconciliation of All Things with edits by David Sprenger

• What Do Inclusive Christian Universalists Believe? By the Rev. Ken Allen, D.D.

• Evangelism - By Don Smith

• The Basic Doctrines of Christian Universalism - compiled and edited by Ken Allen
  

• It is Written by Cecil J. Blay

  I Believe God The Spirit of the Mind Creation Out of God Gods Creative Original The Message "Son of Mankind" "What Manner of Man is This?" "God Ruleth on High"

  "The Mystery of the Godhead" Ears to Hear Of a Sound Mind The Broadminded Towards Unity On Thinking No Evil Ourselves

  Of Our Humiliation "Especially the Parchments" I Am Going This Disposition The More Excellent Way "Ignorant of his Devices" The Sound of a Trumpet

• Gods Creative Original

• Salvator Mundi: or, Is Christ the Savior of All Men Chapter 1. - By Samuel Cox, 1899. "If the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes." Then why were those mighty works not done? Is it not the will of God that none should perish, but that all should come, through repentance, unto life? Does not He Himself plead with men, saying, "Why will ye die?" And yet the Lord Jesus, who knew what might have been as well as what had been, solemnly declares that even the guilty inhabitants of Sodom and of Tyre and Sidon would have been brought to repentance and life had they witnessed the mighty works wrought in the favoured cities of Galilee! Why were they not permitted to witness them, then? Can we blame them, will God condemn them, and condemn them to an eternal death or an eternal misery, because they did not see what they could not see, because they did not repent, when the very means which would infallibly have induced repentance were not vouchsafed them?

• The Hypocrisy of False Expressions Among Some Christians - From an article written by Jeff Priddy in the "Idle Babbler Illustrated"

• Hans Kung on Eternal Punishment, Hell, and Reconciliation

• Eternal Torment Vs. Reconciliation - Written by: Pastor David R. Baughman of Boston Bar, B.C., Canada, a member of the TGM Christian Ministers Association.

• The Fate of the Wicked - Three different views. All with Scripture to back them up!

• Is God's Will Necessarily the Church's Will?

• The following two articles will be of special interest to Bible Students who believe in the annihilation of the wicked.
  1. Is The Doctrine of Limited Punishment, Terminated by Destruction True? - From: Illustrations of Divine Government, Chapter III., written by T. Southwood Smith, published in 1834.
  2. Pastor Russell Writes Concerning the Universal Reconciliation (with a reply by Adolph E. Knoch)

• Universalism is True

• Eternity Explained - By Lee Salisbury. Eternity is one of the most controversial words in the Bible. What is the true meaning behind that word?

• Eternal Punishment - Is it Really of God? - By Lee Salisbury. The early church did NOT teach eternal punishment. It was ADDED to the church several centuries after Christ. It's time to return back to sanity. We've had enough darkness.

• God's Grief Turned to Joy! - By Lee Salisbury. Jesus Christ is the Savior of the whole world, not just a part of it. It's time Christians start giving Jesus full Glory instead of the half-truths we have been peddling.

• God the Father of All - From "Counsel and Encouragement: Discourses on the Conduct of Life" by Hosea Ballou, 2D., D.D. Written in 1866.

• The Paternity of God - From Universilist Belief", pages 90-95, by Asher Moore, 1846

• What is Salvation?

• Salvation and a Baptist Testimony - by Rev. S. Crane in "The Universalist Herald" - June 15, 1890

• A Brief History of Universalism - Written about 1855 by J. M. Austin

• Questions From an Inquirer about Christian Universalism with the answers by Ken Allen, D.D.
  • Questions from an Inquirer about 2 Thess. 1:6-10 and Reconciliation.
  • Christian Universalism and a Literal Hell
  • Comments from and to a website visitor about Universal Salvation
  • Comments from a website visitor about Christian Universalism

• A Gospel Catechism for Sunday Schools - written in 1869 by Albert St. John Chambre

• Is Today the Only Day of Salvation? - By Ken Allen. "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (2 Cor. 6:2).

• One God and One Mediator -- The Ransom for All. - From The Universalist Herald - August 5, 1859

• Essential Divine Principles of the Christian Religion For a True Christian Society - From the book, "Practical Christian Socialism, A Conversationalist Expostition of the True System of Human Society", Written by Adin Ballou in 1854.

• Some Questions Answered About Universalism - from "The Universalist Herald" - February 15, 1891

• The Means of Salvation - An editorial from "The Universalist Hearld" - March 15, 1891.

• Bible Doctrine of Election - from "The Universalist Herald - December 23, 1859

• Ordinances of the Gospel - By E. H. Lake, 1855
  • Baptism
  • The Lord's Supper

• Baptist Testimony - from "The Universalist Herald" - June 15, 1890

• Pro and Con of Universalism. - by George Rogers, 1838.
  • Preliminary Considerations
  • Universal Salvation Directly and Positively Proven From the Attributes of God
  • Hymn -- Abrahamic Covenant
  • Popular Debate, No. 1 -- Is the Future Salvation Conditional?
  • Lake of Fire and Second Death
  • An Important Question Considered. Could not the Creator have accomplished all his proposed ends of benevolence, without subjecting us to those preliminary sufferings which form so considerable a part of our present allotment?
  • Different Views Among Universalists

• A Short Essay On Universalism - by Hosea Ballou, ca. 1849.

• Confidences in the Universal Triumph of the Gospel - by A. McLean, President of Bethany College, Va., in "The Universalist Herald", March 15, 1891.

• Historic and Universalist Professions of Faith

• Rule of Faith - 1790

• Faith of Universalists - from Utica Evangelical Magazine - April 5, 1828

• What if we are Wrong?

• 12 Most Common Mistakes People Make About Bible Prophecy and the Endtime