A Catholic Reading of Universalism

I have been reading several interesting books in regards to the historical story of universalism from the early church to the present.  One such book is Robert Wild's A Catholic Reading Guide to Universalism.  This is only a brief guide and I was hoping for more but there are some excellent quotes and features to this book.  Wild powerfully remarks that "hoping" universalism is true is not heresy.  Hope is hope and not a dogma or contradicts any major tenet of the early Christian creeds.  I love these words, "What a burst of new life would penetrate the human race if everyone believed that God is love and that they were already eternally safe in the arms of love."  I remember one youth minister getting chastised from a leader in his church for reading Rob Bell's book Love Wins and the young minister replied, "Which part do you have a problem with - love wins in the end or God is love?"

He describes the three possibilities that the early church fathers taught.  The majority view since Augustine became eternal conscious torment view while the minority and very early views were annihilationist view and universalism (Clement, Origen, Gregory of Nyssa, Theodore of Mopsuetia, etc.). There was the universal salvation of "Apokastasis" of 1 John 2:2 & Phil.2:10 taught and that evil is finite and will eventually end.  The universal restoration of all things has been a Christian doctrine taught throughout the whole history of the church by various leading Christian theologians and writers. Punishment by many of the earliest Christian writers viewed punishment as remedial and restorative and not punitive.  These early Christians focus was on Christ and not on Adam.  These are some of the first chapters in this provocative book.