Christian universalists believe that ultimately God will reconcile all people through Jesus Christ. While a minority perspective, this view has been held by some of the most venerable and respected theologians throughout the Christian tradition, and has resurfaced in recent years in popular theological discussions. This wide-ranging work, written in a conversational style, draws deeply from biblical studies, early church history, and contemporary philosophy of religion to make the case that Christian universalism is a coherent, compelling, biblical, orthodox option for envisioning the life of the world to come. After offering an introductory exploration and critique of the dominant Christian view of hell, the reader is then guided through chapter-length responses to the major misunderstandings and objections to this position, which are:
Universalists don't believe in hell.
Universalists don't believe the Bible.
Universalists deny human freedom.
Universalists think all religions are equally true.
Universalists have no motivation for evangelism.
Universalists have no motivation for holy living.
Those looking for a comprehensive investigation into the current debate on hell and universal salvation will find it in Flames of Love.
**
Review
"...Flames of Love leads the reader through a careful exploration of what it means to hold an evangelical, universalist position."
--Elaine A. Heath, Associate Professor of Evangelism, Southern Methodist University
"...a terrific exploration of the Christian doctrine of hell. . . . Written with the eye for clarity of a philosopher, the knowledge of Scripture and church tradition of a theologian, and (perhaps most importantly) the ease of expression, good sense, and passion of the best preacher..."
--Thomas D. Senor, Professor of Philosophy, University of Arkansas
"Another good contribution... [to] the important conversation on the doctrine of hell."
Brian D. McLaren, brianmclaren.net
"...a clear, engagingly written, well argued, heart warming, and pretty convincing defense of Christian universalism. Recommended." - Robin Parry, author of The Evangelical Universalist
Description:
Christian universalists believe that ultimately God will reconcile all people through Jesus Christ. While a minority perspective, this view has been held by some of the most venerable and respected theologians throughout the Christian tradition, and has resurfaced in recent years in popular theological discussions. This wide-ranging work, written in a conversational style, draws deeply from biblical studies, early church history, and contemporary philosophy of religion to make the case that Christian universalism is a coherent, compelling, biblical, orthodox option for envisioning the life of the world to come. After offering an introductory exploration and critique of the dominant Christian view of hell, the reader is then guided through chapter-length responses to the major misunderstandings and objections to this position, which are:
Those looking for a comprehensive investigation into the current debate on hell and universal salvation will find it in Flames of Love.
**
Review
"...Flames of Love leads the reader through a careful exploration of what it means to hold an evangelical, universalist position."
--Elaine A. Heath, Associate Professor of Evangelism, Southern Methodist University
"...a terrific exploration of the Christian doctrine of hell. . . . Written with the eye for clarity of a philosopher, the knowledge of Scripture and church tradition of a theologian, and (perhaps most importantly) the ease of expression, good sense, and passion of the best preacher..."
--Thomas D. Senor, Professor of Philosophy, University of Arkansas
"Another good contribution... [to] the important conversation on the doctrine of hell."
"...a clear, engagingly written, well argued, heart warming, and pretty convincing defense of Christian universalism. Recommended."
- Robin Parry, author of The Evangelical Universalist