There are three main branches of Christian Universalism (CU), each with their own set of identifying features. We all share the idea that “Through Christ, God reconciles all to Himself.” Within that primary definition, there are three main branches:
- Patristic
- Liberal (sometimes called Existentialist CU)
- Charismatic (often called Evangelical CU)
All three of those branches of Christian Universalism are welcome within the CUA. The key is that they are all Christian in their understanding of universalism—meaning that ‘Through Christ, all are reconciled to God.’ Followers of other religions, such as Islam, Dharma, Zoroaster, etc. will all eventually be saved despite their alternate religion, not because of it; they are all saved because God sent Jesus to reconcile all to Himself. The Christian Universalist Association made a conscious choice to not pick-sides in this, and most other areas where there can be genuine differences in Christian interpretation. Here are more detailed descriptions of all three CU branches:
Patristic Universalism:
The oldest and, throughout the centuries, has had the most adherents; this is the ancient understanding: It teaches that anyone who rejects God or Christ in this lifetime will receive temporary correction in the next life, and will eventually choose to be reconciled to God. Everyone, either now or later, will be reconciled to God. This was the primary understanding of Christianity for its first 500 years. It is still accepted as a reasonable interpretation in Eastern Orthodoxy, Byzantine Christianity, and Roman Catholicism, as well as remaining a major part of Christian Universalist thought.
Contemporary theologian and author David Burnfield outlines these seven traits of Patristic Universalism:
- Sin will be punished
- Salvation comes only through faith in Christ
- God continues to reach-out to people even after they die
- Everyone will be judged when they die
- The purpose of punishment is remedial, not retributive
- The duration of punishment is not eternal
- Everyone will eventually be saved
This branch of CU has the most Orthodox-leaning doctrinal interpretation. Congregations who share this interpretation are known for their educational ministry style, they often have programs of study for many age groups, and emphasize academic study for their ministers and other leaders.
Liberal Christian Universalism:
The least structured interpretation; a range of understandings exist within this group. Due to the liberal nature of their doctrine, these believers are not interested in a detailed description of their interpretation. That is the meaning of any “liberal” theology; that they have no desire to get pinned-down. Many from this branch believe there is no correction or punishment, of any kind, after this life; meaning everyone gets an immediate free pass. The most academic of these liberal CU believers will describe this liberal understanding of CU as “Existentialist Christian Universalism.” However, in the theological fringe you may find some of these CU believers discussing things like near-death-experiences, A Course In Miracles, Urantia, or other unusual interpretations of Christianity; though not everyone considered “liberal” will go that far afield.
There are a few liberal denominations whose clergy usually believe all will be saved, even though their denominations wouldn’t self-identify as being Universalist:
- Most clergy in the United Church of Christ (USA), or the United Church of Canada
- Most clergy in the Disciples of Christ (from the Stone-Campbell tradition)
There are also a couple of subgroups within the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) that are still Christian:
- The “Council of Christian Churches Within the Unitarian Universalist Association”
- The “UU Christian Fellowship.”
Liberal CU congregations are frequently known for their hospitality, sense of inclusion, and their concerted efforts to reach and care for those in their community. Their social and political views tend to be as “Progressive” (varying types of socialist) as their theology.
Charismatic Universalism:
Conservative Protestants who come to a Christian Universalist understanding frequently adopt the labels Evangelical Universalist (from the book of the same name), Trinitarian Universalist, or Biblical Universalist. Regardless of their chosen label, they read Scripture & history the same way the Patristic CUs do, but come to a notably different conclusion; a fairly Fundamentalist conclusion, rather than an Orthodox-leaning conclusion. It’s a broad generalization, but on the whole, Charismatic Universalists tend to have the most fundamentalist interpretation of Scripture, society, and politics of all CU believers. These congregations are most readily identified by their similarities to other, Evangelical, Pentecostal, or Charismatic congregations:
- Many have an emphasis on Spiritual Gifts
- Nearly all lean Fundamentalist
- Most have a premillennial futurist, or even dispensational, understanding of eschatology
Charismatic Universalists use a lot of different labels, to self-identify; the more common ones include: Conservative Universalists, Biblical Universalists, Trinitarian Universalists. These labels are meant to differentiate themselves from the modern Pluralist teachings of Unitarian Universalism. Other Charismatics go unnoticed as being Christian Universalist at all, because many avoid the term “Universalist” at all costs. “Radical Grace Christian” is a common euphemism, as is “Ultimate Reconciliationist.” Charismatic congregations are likely to use different terminology in other aspects of faith too. Some will talk about the Greek term for Godly Restoration which is “Apocatastasis,” or “Manifest Sonship” a charismatic phrase that aligns well with the Eastern Christian doctrine of Theosis. The term “Feast of Tabernacles” is used by some Charismatic Universalists because the imagery of this Jewish festival echos their entrance into a fuller knowledge of, and relationship with, God; as well as a better understanding of His plan for humanity.
Hopeful Universalism?
Some Christians, inspired by the theologian Karl Barth, say they are “hopeful universalists,” meaning they hope everyone will eventually be saved. This differs from traditional Christian Universalism, which confidently proclaims that all people will be reconciled to God, through Christ. While both ideas center on God’s love and grace, this “hopeful universalism” isn’t really CU at all: They like the way CU sounds, they think it would be nice, but don’t really believe in Universalism, and certainly don’t teach it. At best, these people are wishful thinkers; at worst they are clergy who have come to believe CU, but fear losing followers if they explicitly preach that everyone will go to heaven…so claim to only be “hopeful.”
Very informative. I have tended to think there are two, but often somewhat blended.. the Scripture as literal CU believers, and the Scripture as mostly metaphor believers.
Very interesting brief overview. I for one knew/know little about the our ‘charismatic’ coworkers.
Good read. Thanks. I have come to embrace ultimate reconciliation, thank God. I do believe believers and unbelievers alike will go through a refining fire after we die, “burning up all the chaffe”. I also believe that Revelation referred to AD 70, so I don’t buy the futurist eschatology. I guess I’m in a minority of a minority. We all need to work out our own salvation, right? There’s just so much we don’t know.
I too believe in the refining fire both in this life and the life to come. I appreciate the YouTube channel “the total victory of Christ” as he as several informative videos on the subject of temporal punishment. Also, I recommend Paul Ellis’s website/blog “Escape to Reality”. He is very knowledgeable on the topic of Eschatology. Peace and love to you brother!
Great article. After reading it, I find myself between two of the categories. I suppose I would be a Liberal Charismatic Universalist. This is, in part, due to my spiritual heritage and my seminary experience. I just need to figure out how to work with both in a meaningful way.
Interesting post! For me, as long as someone 1) believes in Christ with faith alone to be saved permanently and 2) believes all people will be saved by Christ, then they are a… 1 + 2 = Christian Universalist
Very helpful to me, as I am moving out of “infernalism”. Trying to find my way, and I’m totally convinced now I have been reading scripture in view of pre-conceived teaching on eternal torment.
This is a very informative article. But I totally disagree with doctrinal teaching of Universalism. The scripture does not support this view. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that who so ever Believes in Him will not perish but have life eternal” God’s love is universal, Jesus did die for all sins, the price has been paid in full for mankind’s sin problem. But the application is conditioned on our personal Believe. Nowhere is it taught or implied that God’s salvation is received other than personal Faith in Christ alone.
Continuing on to John 3:17, “…for, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.” Most Christian Universalists will agree with you, Ron, saying that in this life, or the next, everyone will eventually choose to accept God/Christ. That is the Majority interpretation of CU. The Arminian idea is that Christ’s life, death, and resurrection was sufficient to reconcile all to God, but God refuses to let it happen. Arminius would have us believe that God insists we love our enemies, whereas God is sending His enemies to eternal conscious torture. Arminius was wrong, God is not holding us to a higher bar than He holds Himself. The God character in the parable of the prodigal son welcomed-back his son as soon as he decided to return.
Hello. I do not have any formal education, or training, or even much church participation in Christianity, but I have been intensely studying and contemplating the Good News of Christ in the Bible on my own. I really praise and thank the advocates and believers of Christian Universalism for their courage and compassion and generosity, and I thank Mr. Haverkamp for posting this very informative overview. I also enthusiastically welcome and appreciate the opportunity to express my thoughts regarding Christian Universalism here.
According to my understanding, Christian Universalism is a bit different from pure Universalism in that it is claiming that everyone would eventually be saved at some point in time, whether in this life, or in their subsequent lives after this one, or whatever state of being that exists after this life in order to continue the sanctification of our spirits, but only after coming to believe in Christ, and following Christ’s teachings in their subsequent lives or other state of being, after death in this life.
In my interpretation, Universalism is claiming that every person would be saved regardless of how they believe in or worship God, whether in this life or in the time after this life.
The Gospel Message is that Jesus loves you and died on the cross to forgive your sin. And that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. Today is the day of salvation. For all who believe, they cross over from death to life. After death there is a permanent chasm that separates those who have made that decision from those who have not. Luke 16:26