A belief in universalism (all will be saved) has generally been considered incompatible with Western orthodox/evangelical/fundamentalist theology. (The church father Origen was an exception).

But more and more thoughtful Christians are revisiting this concept. It is to our generation what the Calvinist/Arminian debate was to the past four centuries.

Then, as now, people ranged one lot of Scriptures against another, and usually came down hard on one side of the question.

I’m writing an article (or maybe a series of articles) on this subject. But first, let me invite you, without prejudice, to soak in the following Scriptures. Please resist the temptation to play the game of ‘Yes, but!’ and rush to the nearest commentary which reinforces your pre-existing ideas. An issue like this is best analysed prayerfully and inductively, rather than prejudicially and deductively.

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The Lord… must remain in heaven until the time of universal restoration that God announced long ago through his holy prophets (Acts 3:21)

Just as one man’s trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man’s act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all. For just as by one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous (Romans 5:18-19)

In Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them (2 Corinthians 5:19)

As all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ (1 Corinthians 15:22)

God… has made known to us the mystery of his will… as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him (Christ), things in heaven and things on earth (Ephesians 1:10)

Through (Christ) God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross (Colossians 1:20)

So that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:10-11)

God our Savior… desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge fo the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). The living God is the savior of all people, especially of those who believe (1 Timothy 4:10). The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all (Titus 2:11).

The Lord is… not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9)