Universalists
For the past few weeks, we’ve been exploring the question, “What happens to our souls after death?” In posts 75, 77, and 78, we identified the three “schools of thought” regarding this topic and discussed the first two, the Obivlionist and the Scripturalist schools. This week we’ll explore the Universalist school and how it relates to our Christian Faith.
To quickly review, the Oblivionist School generally denies that there is a God, there is such a thing as a “soul,” or that there is an afterlife.
The Scripturalist School believes in God and the soul, and that some portion of humanity will enjoy an eternal afterlife with God. However, while every human is born with a soul, not every soul will go to Heaven.
(I remind everyone that these terms for the “schools” and the thought-groupings they represent are my inventions. All are welcome to formulate their own if they prefer. The purpose of these expositions is to generate thought, not to present dogma.)
Two Main Groupings.
As with the first two schools addressed, there are many “flavors” of Universalism. Some are close to traditional Christian theology, while others view Christianity very differently. For our purposes, I’ve combined the different types of Universalism into two main groups: (1) those who see the school as an extension (or refinement) of Christianity; and (2) those who see other “non-Christian” expressions of spirituality (i.e., Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, etc.) as equally valid.
Universalists who regard themselves as Christian. These believers adhere to most of the traditional Christian beliefs. Again realizing that I am making sweeping generalizations, they believe in God, in the existence of human souls, in Jesus Christ, and in the existence of Heaven.
Where they differ from the Scripturalists is that they believe that every human soul will eventually be reconciled to God, and thus be able to enter into Heaven and eternal life with Him.
Some believe that Hell exists, but that it is redemptive. In their theology, the suffering that condemned souls will endure in Hell will eventually cause them to ‘mature,’ allowing their release from Hell and ascension into Heaven.
Others reject the idea of Hell (or Purgatory) altogether. According to them, Christ’s sacrifice was sufficient for everyone (regardless of their repentance). All souls are, therefore, reconciled to God and enter Heaven upon their physical death.
Universal Christians support their positions with scriptures from 2 Peter, 1 Corinthians, Romans, and elsewhere in the Bible.
The Christian Universalist Association, Boulder, Colorado, is an example of an organization that promotes this Universalist View.
Universalists who regard other belief systems equally valid as Christianity. Another branch of Universalists recognize Christianity as a legitimate theology but see other faiths (Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Ba’hi, etc.) as equally valid. Some Universalist congregations even count Atheists or Wiccan followers among their members.
These Universalists espouse no defined or corporate creed or theology, rather maintaining that all truths are personal, relative, situational, and equally valid. Their view is that what is true for one may not be true for all, and vice versa. The definition or recognition of“truth” lies with the individual. (One is reminded of Pilate’s question of Jesus, “What is truth? Is mine the same as yours?”) [from Jesus Christ Superstar[1], based on John 18:38]
This belief system seems to place inclusivity as its primary guiding principle, encouraging harmony and tolerance among its adherents while remaining open to ideas from a wide spectrum of theologies or spiritual lifestyles.
These Universalists do not emphasize any particular set of beliefs. Instead, followers are encouraged to seek their own spiritual paths, informed by precepts, philosophies, and/or insights derived from whatever discipline(s) appeals to them.
The Unitarian Universalist Association of Boston, MA, is an organization that promotes this flavor of Universalism. Although the organization’s roots were in liberal Christianity, it no longer espouses the primacy of Christian theology.
General Comments.
Since Universalism is, at its heart, a refracted theology, there is no overarching Universalist corporate body. Each congregation is separate unto itself and answerable only to its members. As a result, figures for the number of people who practice this brand of faith are unreliable. What can be certain is that the theology has adherents around the globe.
Summary and Conclusion (for now).
The answer to “What happens to the soul after death?” spans the spectrum from “there is no soul to survive” to “all souls will eventually be redeemed.”
Although there have always been people who agree with the Oblivionist position, it is not supported by Scripture. Nor is it pertinent to our exploration of Christianity other than as an academic exercise. The overview provided was necessary for a complete examination of the central question.
The Universalist position is also ancient. Some scholars attribute certain aspects of the school’s position to very early Christian thinkers and writers (such as Origen, 185-254 A.D.). And, unlike the Oblivionist posture, certain selections from Scripture may be offered as support for this school’s central thesis. However, it has never captured sufficient support among Christians to be regarded as “mainstream.” Its adherents have remained in the minority of Christian believers.
Only the Scripturalist position resonates with the majority of Christians. Arguments among Christian believers regarding which “flavor” is most nearly correct abound. But they all share a core set of beliefs that are supported by Scripture, tradition, teaching, and insight (some would say revelation) that has stood for over 2,000 years.
I hope this exploration of possible answers to the beginning question is helpful. As always, each reader is encouraged to take this information, think about it, and use it to inform their own set of beliefs (or not, it’s up to you).
When all is said and done, the answer is, really, that what happens to our souls is in the hands of God. And because that is so, whatever happens, will be just, loving, and appropriate.
God’s Blessings On You All,
Richard
January 3, 2020
[1] The theatrical musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, Broadway debut 1971
