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Universalism, The Prevailing Doctrine of Christianity For Five Centuries

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Samson:
Hello Everyone,

                      I thought this might be an interesting Subject, mainly because many Christians seem to think Universal Salvation for All is some obscure belief without majority support that some small Heritical group of Christians conjured up in opposition to Mainline Christian Thought. John Wesley Hanson wrote some Articles on Universalism during the Eighteenth Century, one of which was very important to me in my search for Truth on the " Salvation Of All " Issue.

                      Hanson is able to prove conclusively that Universal Salvation for ALL was the prevailing doctrine during the First Five Centuries of Christianity. From the Summary of conclusions on this Article, I wanted to make a couple of points in support of this Truth.

                     1) The principal ancient Universalists were Christian born and reared, and among the most scholarly and saintly of all the ancient saints.

                     2) The first complete presentation of Christianity as a system was by Origen(A.D. 220) and Universal Salvation was explicitly contained in it.
                         
                     3) The first comparatively complete systematic statement of Christian Doctrine ever given to the World was by Clement of Alexandria, A.D. 180, and universal salvation was one of the tenets.

                     4) Clement declares that all punishment, however severe, is purificatory; that even the " torments of the damned" are curative. Origen explains even Gehenna as signifying limited and curative punishment, and both, as all the other ancient Universalists, declare that "everlasting" (aionion) punishment, is consonant with universal salvation.

                     5) Not a single creed for five hundred years expresses any idea contrary to universal restoration, or in favor of endless punishment.

                  In Conclusion: These were just some of the points expressed by John Wesley Hanson. I wonder how many so-called learned Theologians of our modern times are aware of this and if they are, how do they reconcile their teachings with such conclusive proof in favor of the Eventual Salvation for ALL. Also, I might add, of the six major theological schools of the first three centuries, four of them taught Universal Salvation, one taught Annihilation and one taught Eternal Torment(Rome).

                  Looking forward to your comments, Brothers and Sisters, maybe expressing some information, as to how they justify all of this, with such proof available, prior to my arrival at this Site, this article was, one of the clinchers for me.

                              Your Brother in Christ, Samson.
                     

chuckt:
greetings!

actually both schools of thought were in exsistence, that of eternal seperation from God and universal salvation, and these worshiped side by side.

between 3rd and 5th century, alot happened, and at the 5th councel the ""church"" made universal salvation heresy. we can thank  constatine and augustine for this, but alas all in all it was Gods will for this to happen.

more info upon request.

blessings

chuckt

rjsurfs:

--- Quote ---I wonder how many so-called learned Theologians of our modern times are aware of this and if they are, how do they reconcile their teachings with such conclusive proof in favor of the Eventual Salvation for ALL.
--- End quote ---

How did the so-called theologians of ancient times reconcile their teachings that did not consider judgement and the love of God when presented by the giver of Truth himself?

lilitalienboi16:
Yep great stuff. Theirs a few good sites online that preserve this information for you if you google the history of it. It's interesting read and only furthermore confirms the truth in my heart!

God bless,

Alex

Samson:

--- Quote from: lilitalienboi16 on March 11, 2008, 01:21:45 PM ---Yep great stuff. Theirs a few good sites online that preserve this information for you if you google the history of it. It's interesting read and only furthermore confirms the truth in my heart!

God bless,

Alex

--- End quote ---
              Hello Alex,

                                 Thats' precisely my point, that is why I was wondering if anyone at this Site knew of any modern day Theologians and/or Bible Scholars that know that Universal Salvation had such a great support from many learned Christian thinkers of the Early Centuries, but still teach Eternal Torment, even though they know for a fact its' definitely wrong, especially with all the evidence available. It's one thing to teach something that's wrong unknowingly, but far worse when you know better and proceed to teach the falsehood.

                               Any information or thoughts on this, Your Brother, Samson.

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