Resources

Resources For Study:

The goal of ChristianUniversalism.com is to demonstrate and lead the Body of Christ to a more complete vision of the redemptive work of Christ.  We will emphasize the implications of Christ’s life, death and resurrection as the only hope for all mankind and for “making all things new.”  Therefore we will be recommending resources by individuals that we believe uphold the Story of God as it is delineated in the historic creeds.

However, first let us make it clear that you do not need to know Greek and Hebrew or read a library of books to understand and gain faith in the reality of the Ultimate Restoration of mankind. For those of you weary of studying or afraid of your ability to “know the truth” please see our article on the “fast track” to believing in UR.

But for those who enjoy the process and want to explore the depths and beauty of it here are some books by authors who are defending the view of Ultimate Reconciliation:

Hope Beyond Hell  by Gerry Beauchemin

The Inescapable Love of God by Thomas Talbott

The Evangelical Universalist  by Robin Parry (pseudonym “Gregory MacDonald”)

The One Purpose of God  by J. Bonda

The History of Time and the Genesis of You  by Peter Hiett

That All Shall Be Saved by David Bentley Hart

Also it is very important to have access to an interlinear Bible in order to check the translation of some words/passages as they are brought up in these works and as questions arise.  We recommend:

Interlinear Bible by StudyLight  http://www.studylight.org/isb/

Blue Letter Bible  http://www.blueletterbible.org/

Websites:
HopeBeyondHell.net  Free downloadable book and study material
godslovewins.com  How the Body of Christ Has Always Been Walking In Christian Universalism…Together
Perichoresis Dr. C. Baxter Kruger and the Trinity as Foundational for the Gospel
We will also point out some resources that support the Story of God’s universal love by logical implication.  Also you will begin to see how the Church teaches the universal love of God when you consider all their different emphases collectively.                        
Within the following authors together  you will see this God who loves all His creation without exception and offers His love and redemption to all of humanity. But you will also see that this God is not only willing but able to save every person He came to die for. We are shown that this God’s idea of justice is not in getting justice but in doing justice.  This God’s mission for the world is to save it and He has chosen His elect to bring this message and reality of hope and redemption to His lost world.  He has a plan to restore the status of shalom to His entire universe.  Resurrection is His last word, not crucifixion and death.  And we all agree that it is our heart’s desire and yearning for all of this to be true!  This is the God we worship and adore together as one Body; this is what we are collectively doing right now!                                                                                                                                                               
The following authors as one Body point to a holistic view of the God of Scripture
Far As the Curse Is Found by Michael Williams   (emphasis on the restorative purpose of the Gospel)
ReJesus: A Wild Messiah for a Missional Church by Alan Hirsch   (emphasis on the missional aspect of our election/redemption; that we are blessed to BE a blessing for the rest of the world)
The Cross Is Not Enough by Clifford and Johnson   (emphasis on the resurrection, appealing to the power of the Early Church as believers of hope in the restoration of all things)
Generous Justice by Tim Keller   (emphasis on the nature of true Biblical justice as restorative in nature and returning things to their intended purpose)
Against Calvinism by  Roger Olsen  (emphasis on God’s love and redemption for all of humanity)
For Calvinism by  Michael Horton  (emphasis on God’s powerful and sovereign ability to save completely every person He loves and died for)
Arminian Theology: Myths and Realities by Roger Olsen  (further clarification of the biblical support for a universal love of God for the world)
Traveling Light by Max Lucado  (emphasis on great compassion for the lost and great hope for the wideness of God’s mercy)
Beauty Will Save the World by Brian Zahnd  (emphasis on the beauty of the Story of God and challenging us to hold in suspect “any doctrine that does not come across as truly beautiful”)
Jesus and the Undoing of Adam by Dr. C. Baxter Kruger (emphasis on the Trinity as foundational to the Gospel where we are included before the foundation of the world into the life of the Father, Son and Spirit. Eph 1)
The Gospel In Ten Words by Paul Ellis (The radical-grace message as the means toward true Christian freedom and holiness. This radical-grace message by nature embraces elements of both Arminianism and Calvinism restoring the original gospel of grace)
We contend that it is not necessary to just read books on “Christian Universalism” in order to understand or believe this view.  The rich and gracious teaching by our foremost evangelical leaders are painting for us a view that far exceeds any book on “universalism.”  But we need to see them TOGETHER as a Body of Truth given to us for our edification.  We need to consider them ALL, at the same time.  As Paul said “why would you say to the foot I don’t need you?”  So as you read your favorite authors remember to place their “part” of the Story of God in context with the vital parts of the others.  Together we have a beautiful presentation and picture of the Gospel as truly Good News!

{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }

David Artman July 7, 2018 at 1:36 pm

I am an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and I have a book coming out with Wipf and Stock next year about Christian Universalism and grace. I need to develop a marketing plan for my book. Was just going to reach out and try to begin a conversation. Thanks for your great web sight!

Phillip July 19, 2018 at 10:18 pm

Hello David, Pardon the delay…summer vacation! It’s always encouraging to hear of yet another voice coming from the Body of Christ! We look forward to reviewing your new book and continuing the conversation! It would be great if you could post a summary here of your book and in what way it adds a unique facet to our vision of the inescapable, relentless love of God!

Anonymous June 5, 2019 at 2:16 pm

I grew up in the Universalist Church before it got betrayed by the Unitarians.

BRADY MAYO March 21, 2021 at 7:59 pm

Can you give me some information about how the word “all” is used in the New Testament?

David Artman August 26, 2021 at 6:52 am

The book in the podcast are now out. The book is titled Grace Saves all:Necessity of Christian Universalism. Podcast is just called Grace Saves all. It’s about Christianity and universal salvation. Maybe we can connect sometime in the future..

Phillip September 12, 2021 at 9:24 am

That is an unfortunate turn by the universalist church. To lose the unifying dynamic of relationship found in the trinity is tragic not to mention unscientific and philosophically unfeasible. The very foundation of life itself at the atomic level is expanding relationship. And love cannot be expressed within a static omni-god. Love needs at least three to be authentically expressed.

Phillip October 14, 2021 at 10:19 pm

All means all… within the context. To know the context you will have to bring an understanding of the Story of God either through the lens of a limited story of defeat by a God whose love fails or through the lens of the God we find in Scripture whose very nature and essence is love and whose love NEVER fails.

It is fruitless to parse words and try and find out the meaning of a particular Greek or Hebrew word. While that is part of the interpretation, without a larger context we can be sure we will fail to see the forest in trees…somewhat like the failure of the Jews to realize they were face to face with God in the flesh! Because of their small and limited beliefs they missed the bigger picture right in front of them.

Claude O'Donovan February 5, 2022 at 5:55 pm

Another great theologian has come forth in a major way, David Bentley Hart. His “That ALL Shall Be Saved” is a magnificent rendering of his recent complete devotion to Universal Restoration in the face of much opposition. Many consider him as one of the two greatest theologians in the world today.

Phillip February 10, 2022 at 9:49 am

Hello Claude… Thanks for stopping by! David Bentley Hart is absolutely a great resource! I had an opportunity to hear him at a conference a couple years ago and have his books. Brilliant mind. I will update our resources page asap! Thanks for the reminder.

Grace and peace,
Phillip

Phillip February 10, 2022 at 10:12 am

Just another shout out to David Artman’s tremendous book and podcast. I have listened to both the book on Audible and the podcast. Highly recommended. Thorough and deep yet accessible and understandable for the layperson who is just beginning their journey exploring Ultimate Restoration of all!

David Artman February 16, 2022 at 7:22 pm

Thanks for the kind words! Let’s visit!

Phillip February 19, 2022 at 9:02 pm

You are most welcome!

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