Surprising answers to perplexing questions people ask about God
Richard H. Goyetter
Christian Universalism: Maybe God Isn’t Such A Bad Guy After All (Surprising answers to perplexing questions people ask about the God of the Bible, Richard H. Goyette. (Self-published, Sixth Edition, 2015). ISBN: 9781500651107.
Richard H Goyette is a prolific writer who was kind enough to provide me with a copy of each of his books. While he and I may theologically disagree on many points, we share in common a desire to live the teachings of Jesus as Christian Universalists. With that common link, I did want to read and review Christian Universalism: Maybe God Isn’t Such A Bad Guy After All.
Christian Universalism: Maybe God Isn’t Such A Bad Guy After All is a thick book exploring the questions you might just be asking. Goyette writes from the perspective of a Progressive Christian and Christian Universalist, yet although countering Evangelical dogma, he seeks to remain grounded to scripture. Even though Goyette and I may differ theologically, Christian Universalism: Maybe God Isn’t Such A Bad Guy After All is the perfect book for the Christian who is questioning their evangelical beliefs. It is these beliefs which he addresses from his own perspective as a Progressive Christian Universalist. The book is a robust, yet thoughtful exploration of God, the Bible, and Christian Universalism for both the Evangelical Christian who wants to know more about Universalism and the Christian who is struggling with, or deconstructing, their faith.
Christian Universalism: Maybe God Isn’t Such A Bad Guy After All is really two books. The first (176 pages), explores Christian Universalism and the premise that maybe “God isn’t such a bad guy after all.” The Appendix (191 pages): “Additional Thoughts since Writing This Book,” is a book all in itself. “Additional Thoughts” is a good description as each seemed to be mostly unconnected threads of thinking.
I have to admit 367 pages is a lot to read. If you find that to be true for you, then I suggest that you take a look at the table of contents and then read the chapters, or “Thoughts” that pertain to your questions.
Richard H. Goyette lives in Folsom, California. He has written several books including, Logical Answers to Life's Toughest Questions: The Rational Basis for Faith in Christ, Theological Insights of a Progressive Christian and Believable Answers to Theology's Most Perplexing Questions: Theological Essays by a Progressive Christian Universalist. His books are available on Amazon.
©Frank A. Mills, March 12, 2025
