Christian Universalism
Celtic Christianity
Incarnational
Process Theology
Reviews
Celtic Christianity
The Good News of Celtic Christianity is that all things are charged with the Divine, and that all of humanity and creation are inherently united with the Divine.
Essays
- What is the Oran Mór?, Frank A. Mills [Paper]
The primordial myth of Creation, common to all peoples, tells of a mighty melody – the very breath of God – that sang Creation into existence. To the Celts of old she was known as the Oran Mór, “The Great Melody,” a melody that did not cease with the initial creation, but goes on and on and on, inspiring Creation along her holy pilgrimage of giving and receiving blessing.
- The Celtic Worldview, Frank A. Mills [Paper]
The Celtic world view may best be described in its sensitivity to Creation. It is sensitive to the whole nature of Creation. It is sensitive to the holy nature of Creation. It is sensitive to the divinely co-creative role of creation. It is sensitive to the divine web of Creation.
- "Celtic Worldview, Frank A. Mills [Chart 5 pages]
- Approaching Celtic Christianity, Frank A. Mills
- "And There Was A Song: The Psycho-Spiritual Dimension of Celtic Myth, Frank A. Mills (Brigit's Feast: The Journal of Celtic Thought, History, Culture & Folklore) [Essay]
- "Redemption Through Pilgrimage, Frank A. Mills [Essay]
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Christian Universalism
The Larger Hope That All Souls Shall Be Reunited With God and the belief that as Universalists it is our task to help all souls grow with the Divine. This makes Christian Universalism counter cultural.
Magazines
- Universalist Herald, Four issues/ $20.00, "The oldest continually published liberal religious magazine in North America. Facebook Page
Leans toward but UU, but with great articles and history on Christian Universalism and the former Christian Universalist Church of America.
- UU World. Unitarian Universalist Association magazine. Facebook Page
Not specifically universalist, although there may be articles on universalism, the magazine features articles on social justice and on living in a multi-cultural world as people of faith.
External Resources (Blogs, Websites, Resource Catalogs)
The external resources marked with the red asterisk ("*") are extensive listings, full of useful links.
- Christian Universalist Association, "Since 2007, spreading the message that all will be well…for everyone…no exceptions." Facebook Group
- Unitarian Universalist Christian Fellowship, Facebook Group
"We are non-creedal followers of Jesus rooted in the history and tradition of Unitarian Universalism but open to all whether or not UU or Christian; we don't think Jesus would have it any other way, and we welcome all to walk with us as we walk in the Jesus way of radical compassion and justice."
- Universalist Convocation: Preserving the Spiritual Roots of American Universalism
A UU Organization, but welcoming to other Christian Universalists
- *Universalist Christian Net, Excellent Collections of various Christian Universalism-centric works on CU worship, history, theology and more. (Maintained by the Rev. Scott Wells)
- Universalist Christian Initiative (Maintained by the Rev. Scott Wells), Rev. Scott Wells
- Rev. Scott Wells, An ongoing Christian Universalist blog.
- *Unitarian Universalist Congregations: Open access sources for historians of the Unitarian Universalist tradition.
"Unitarian Universalist Congregations" is a collection of publications and manuscripts in the public domain that chronicle major events in the life of historically Unitarian and Universalist congregations in the United States.
- New York State Convention of Universalists
Organized in 1825, the Convention's archives are kept at the First Universalist Society in Rochester, New York.
- Universal Reconciliation and Related Concepts, An extensive list of essays from various perspectives.
Video
Theology
- The Christian Doctrine of Apokatasis: A Critical Assessment from the New Testament to Eriugena, Ilaria Ramelli.
Apokatastasis (restoration) is a major patristic doctrine stemming from Greek philosophy and Jewish-Christian Scriptures. Ramelli argues for its presence and Christological and Biblical foundation in many Fathers, analysing its meaning and development from the birth of Christianity to Eriugena.
- "Cast Into Hell: Cast into Hell Satan, Universalism, and Contemporary Eschatology," Samuel Korb (Volume 24, Issue 3, Summer 2021, Logos: A Journal of Catholic Thought and Culture).
Abstract: A vigorous defense of why (1) one cannot dogmatically hold to Christian Universalism and why (2) Satan cannot be forgiven as some Universalists hold out. [The caveat for the last point is that one first has to believe in Satan before any discussion of the possibility of Satan's redemption.]
- "Moltmann: Toward a Conditional Universalism: Appraising Jürgen Moltmann’s Universalism in Light of Sin and Repentance," David Muthukumar Sivasubramanian (Evangelical Quarterly 92 (2021) 39–55).
Abstract: Moltmann proposes an ‘open universalism’ that overstresses the goodness of God and hence God’s obligation to redeem all of humanity, irrespective of human reciprocity. This leads to his consequent conception of salvation that seems to underplay the traditional understanding of sin and repentance. The purpose of this article is to explore Moltmann’s version of universalism in the light of sin and repentance and to proposethat universalism could be a viable doctrine if it is considered not as an automatic rendering but as ‘conditional universalism’ that demands reciprocal response (even post mortem) in terms of human repentance. For this purpose, Gregory of Nyssa’s idea of universalism will be utilize
- The Social Implications of Universalism, Clarence R. Skinner (Boston: Universalist Publishing House/Murray Press, 1915)
Abstract: The universal love. When men have tried lesser faiths, when all fragmentary trusts have failed, may the world come to see this vast vision of a cosmic religion. It is universalism that will bring about the Kingdom of God.
- "Understanding Quaker Religious Language in its Commuinty Context," Rhiannon Grant (Quaker Studies 19/2 (2015) [260- 276]).
Abstract: This article examines a trend in British Quaker use of religious language towards using lists of names for ‘that which we worship’, especially lists which include terms from other religions as well as traditionally Quaker terminology. It offers some tools for understanding language, drawn from the work of Wittgenstein and Lindbeck, and some key contexts, including a discussion of Quaker universalism about truth and the role this plays in the way that Quakers now speak about God. It finishes with a worked example which enables us to see how all these factors play into the construction of Quaker multi-thealogy remarks.
- "Universalism: A theology for the 21st century: Taken seriously, no theology is more challenging morally, spiritually, or intellectually." Forest Church (UU World, November/December 2001, 11/5/2001 Editorial). [External Link]
- "Hosea Ballou: Universalist manifesto," Charles A Howe (UU World May/June 2005 7/4/2005, Ideas) [External Link]
Written in honor of the 200th anniversary of Hosea Ballou's, A Treatise on Atonement, a book whose thesis was central to Universalist theology throughout the nineteenth century.
- Universalism Against Itself, Alexander Hall (1846).
A classic refutation of Christian Universalism
- Universalism Against Itself, Luther Lee (1836).
A classic refutation of Christian Universalism
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History
- "A Religion for One World: Kenneth L. Patton, the Charles Street Meeting House, and the New Universalism," Nicole Kirk (January 2014, Unitarian Universalist History & Piety)
- The Universalist Church in Ohio, Elmo Arnold Robinson (The Ohio Universalist Convention. 1923). [External Link]
- Views of the Ministry of Christian Universalism During the Last Half-Century with Biographical Sketches, John G. Adams (Boston: Universalist Publishing House, 1882).
- Universalism in America: A Documentary History of a Liberal Faith, Ernest Cassara, Ed. (Boston: Skinner House Books, 1997). [External Link]
- "Universalism: 200 years and growing: The spirit of Universalism and the future of Unitarian Universalism.," John Lovell (UU World, July/August 1993 7/1/1993 Editorial) [External Link]
- "Of sand bars and circuit riders: Voices from our Universalist past..," David Reich (UU World, July/August 1993 7/1/1993 Editorial) [External Link]
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Incarnational
"The divisive fragmentation of our age reflects a need for a new holistic synergy of science and spirituality to heal our divisions, deepen our compassion, and ignite the human spirit toward greater unity and flourishing. The Teilhardian concept of “Omega” is understood not as destination, but as deepening toward a more unified future. Omega is the revelation of God as the fullness of love, the dynamic center at the heart of all Creation." - From Christogenesis website.
This page will use the term in a loose sense to include resources that explore the Teilhardian concept of incarnation."
External Resources (Blogs, Websites, Resource Catalogs)
- Center for Christogenesis: "Exploring Love at the Heart of the Universe." [Website]
The Teilhardian concept of “Omega”—upon which our Center’s vision and work is based—is understood not as destination, but as deepening toward a more unified future.
- The Deignan Institute for Earth and Spirit (at Iona University) [Website]
The Deignan Institute for Earth and Spirit serves the emergence of an ecological civilization to revive and protect our common home through transformative environmental education, spiritual animation, and creative celebration.
Magazines
- New Creation [Online Only]
New Creation is the Center for Christogenesis online magazine dedicated to deepening our awareness of God, Cosmos, and Humanity in a scientific age.
Essays Exploring the Teilhardian Concept
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Process Theology
Process theology (also known as Neoclassical theology) is a school of thought influenced by the metaphysical process philosophy of Alfred North Whitehead (1861 - 1947). The concepts of process theology include: God is not omnipotent in the sense of being coercive. The divine has a power of persuasion rather than force.
The external resources marked with the red asterisk ("*") are extensive listings, full of useful links.
External Resources (Blogs, Websites, Resource Catalogs)
- The Center For Process Studies: A Relational Worldview for the Common Good.
"The Center for Process Studies fosters interdisciplinary research and education to cultivate holistic understanding that drives innovative solutions for global wellbeing."
- Process & Faith: A Multi Faith Network for the Common Good. [Website]
"PROCESS PHILOSOPHY AND THEOLOGY offer a comprehensive vision of the world and better hopes for the world, inviting a sense of wonder and a recognition of the sacred, based on the interconnectedness, intrinsic value, and beauty present in all living things. This vision has been incredibly useful for many different religious and spiritual communities, including those who understand themselves as spiritual independents."
- Center for Open & Relational Theology
"Open and relational theology comes in many forms and explores diverse ideas. The Center for Open and Relational Theology offers resources to help both novices and experts navigate the depth and breadth of this generative theology."
- Thomas Jay Oord [Website & Blog]
Tom's tale on Process Theology is called "Open and Relational Theology" and tends to be more Evangelical than does most Process Theology
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Magazines
- "*Open Horizons: Exploring a Process Worldview
and Way of Living [Online Only]
"Open Horizons is an evolving collection of webpages by different writers and artists exploring a process worldview and way of living. All pages include images and text, and some include music. We believe in many ways of knowing. We have readers from more than a hundred countries and add new content almost every day."
Essays Exploring Process Theology
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