A Useless Universalism

In theological Universalism, it was the love of God for humanity that was decisive for heavenly salvation. In ethical Universalism, it is we who are required to be the agents of an earthly salvation. -Richard S. Gilbert*

To be fair to Gilbert, I have somewhat taken his quote of context. Nevertheless, when I started thinking about the quote, which was on the title page, the thought that came to me was ...

Theological Universalism cannot stand without Ethical Universalism. Ethical Universalism looses her punch without some sort of understanding of a LOVE that is other than us. **

Unfortunately, far to many Universalists who claim to be "Christian Universalist" focus on the theological, while ignoring the ethical. Doing so, in my opinion makes there Universalism of no practical value -- It becomes useless.

Even with the prefix "Liberal" we often become bogged down with esoteric thinking. That to makes our Universalism useless. Universalism to be true to its name must result in an Ethical Universalism.

*"Soft Seats and No Hel1,The Universalist Impulse Now and Then," Keynote Addresses on Universalist History, Ethics and Theology (1976 - 1992), The New York State Convention of Universalists, Harold H. Burkart, Editor. (1992). Dr. Gilbert's address is worth the read, as are many of the others in the collection.

**How we define that LOVE depends upon how we "god-think" (theology) the "other than us."

Frank A. Mills
Sheffield Lake, OH
December 18, 2024