4: Universal Salvation, Christlikeness, Reincarnation, and Church History

Universal Salvation and Church History

The Church largely believed in universal salvation for the first 5 centuries of its existence (Hanson, 2022). It was really with Augustine that eternal hell solidified as the “orthodox” Christian doctrine (Hanson, 2022). Even if this is not true, given the Church’s, at times, horrific and judgmental stance and action toward every person or group who disagreed with them, completely contrary to Jesus’ message of love, between the 4^th – 18^th century, is Church theology from those centuries reliable on this topic? The Bible is reliable, and people who love God as shown through their actions. Many in the Church acted for 1400 years as if it wanted many people, at least from certain groups, to go to eternal hell – as the Church made hell on earth for many groups that did not agree with them like minority Christians, Muslims, and Jews, particularly during the time of the Crusades, the Inquisition, and the Religious Wars of Christian on Christian violence. The Bible reveals this doctrine to be true, and the fact that Origen’s view (that universal salvation was true) was condemned as certainly false by the Church in the 6^th century is deeply saddening to me (Hanson, 2022). The Bible, by any fair reading, at least allows for the possibility of universal restoration of all people. It is not at all surprising that many in the “Church” could not see this, as many in the Church have acted in violence throughout the centuries towards those God and Jesus commanded them to love. Those “members” of the Church that did that were not true believers in Jesus and God.

All that being said, again, the current Church is not like the Church of history that often acted with such violence and lack of love. The current Church is, I think, largely deceived on the issue of universal salvation. This is not surprising, as the Church today is by and large a product of the past. Centuries of theology stating only a small percentage of humanity will be saved is difficult to overcome, though presently many excellent books have been written to defend the biblical view that God will save all people (see the “Additional Research” tab on this blog). So, given Church history’s centuries of violence that showed the leaders at least did not know God, the Church’s stance on hell in particular is not reliable. The historic Church has been, too often, extremely judgmental and violent towards those who do not share their “orthodox” beliefs. That this same Church would propagate the view of “eternal conscious torment” for most of humanity fits with their deeds. In any event, again, the Bible should be our guide, and the Bible is full of promises regarding the restoration of ALL things - including all people (Acts 3:21). The passages that seem to refer to eternal hell for a majority of people should be understood in their original languages for true understanding of what the biblical authors meant. God, the all loving, wise, and powerful Father (and Mother), intends to save all people. And He will do it (1 Timothy 2:4).

Christlikeness and Church History

C.S. Lewis said in his book, “Mere Christianity”, “The Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God.” (Lewis, 2025). C.S. Lewis is partially right. According to the Bible, one can be a “son of God” and also a man at the same time without needing to “become” a man - and Jesus has always been, and will always be, a man. Specifically, I believe Jesus was always a man, and always a son of God (see section 4 of my blog). Because of the Holy Spirit, we as humans are enabled, by the Holy Spirit, to become sons and daughters of God… to reach the full measure of manhood like Christ – to be like Christ. Humans are meant to be conformed to Christ’s image: which is the image of God. In my study of Christian history, I think this is something generally Christians have all agreed on.

Reincarnation and Church History

Regarding reincarnation, I do not think the historical Church erred in not knowing this – this has, I think, been hidden for the most part. It is, per the book of Wisdom as I discuss in section 4 of my blog, a “secret purpose” of God. I believe Jesus is coming back soon, and I think the knowledge that he was Adam and David is part of the revelation of Jesus Christ and the “face to face” knowledge Paul writes about in 1 Corinthians 13:12. Revelation 20 talks about the millennium when Christ reigns with his saints…. This has certainly never happened in history (unless you are a believer in amillennialism), but it will when he returns! This will be a true reign of love and peace, not the often violent Christendom of the past. There is much hope to be had in looking to the future!