Where did Christian Universalism come from? - New or old?
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The Book of Enoch (1 Enoch) generally focuses on the final, severe judgment of the wicked, fallen angels, and sinners rather than universal salvation. While some modern readers argue it might imply ultimate restoration, it explicitly describes eternal punishment for Watchers and sinners in "fire" and "prison".
Key "Judgment" Quotes from 1 Enoch (often cited in studies):
1 Enoch 1:9 (quoted in Jude 1:14-15): "Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches, which ungodly sinners have spoken against him".
1 Enoch 10:13-14 (regarding the Watchers): "...bind them for seventy generations underneath the rocks of the ground until the day of their judgment... until the eternal judgment is concluded. In those days they will lead them into the bottom of the fire—and in torment—in the prison (where) they will be locked up forever".
1 Enoch 10:16 (on the destruction of evil): "And destroy all the spirits of the reprobate and the children of the Watchers, because they have wronged mankind".
1 Enoch 22 (on the division of souls): Describes separate places for the righteous and the wicked after death, noting that sinners "shall not be raised from thence" (indicating a, likely permanent, separation, though some interpretations debate the duration).
Contextual Considerations:
Jude’s Usage: The New Testament book of Jude quotes 1 Enoch 1:9 to emphasize God's coming, severe judgment, not to promote universalism.
Alternative Views: Some modern interpretations suggest that because the "Wheel of Souls" or the eventual restoration of all things is mentioned in broader apocalyptic literature, some readers see hints of ultimate salvation, but the text itself highlights "eternal" consequences.
Here are just a few quotes by the early church fathers, compiled by Gary Amirault’s diligent work, that discuss their beliefs about punishment and restoration in the afterlife:
The mass of men (Christians) say there is to be an end to punishment and to those who are punished.—St. Basil the Great
There are very many in our day, who though not denying the Holy Scriptures, do not believe in endless torments. — Augustine (354-430 A.D.)
For the wicked there are punishments, not perpetural, however, lest the immortality prepared for them should be a disadvantage, but they are to be purified for a brief period according to the amount of malice in their works. They shall therefore suffer punishment for a short space, but immortal blessedness having no end awaits them…the penalties to be inflicted for their many and grave sins are very far surpassed by the magnitude of the mercy to be showed to them. –Diodore of Tarsus, 320-394 A.D.
And God showed great kindness to man, in this, that He did not suffer him to continue being in sin forever; but as it were, by a kind of banishement, cast him out of paradise in order that, having punishment expiated within an appointed time, and having been disciplined, he should afterwards be recalled…just as a vessel, when one being fashioned it has some flaw, is remoulded or remade that it may become new and entire; so also it happens to man by death. For he is broken up by force, that in the resurrection he may be found whole; I mean spotless, righteous and immortal. –Theophilus of Antioch (168 A.D.)
Wherefore also he drove him out of paradise and removed him far from the tree of life, not because He envied him the tree of life, as some dare assert, but because He pitied him and desired that he should not be immortal and the evil interminable and irremediable. –Iraneaus of Lyons (182 A.D.)
These, if they will, may go Christ’s way, but if not let them go their way. In another place perhaps they shall be baptized with fire, that last baptism, which is not only painful, but enduring also; which eats up, as if it were hay, all defiled matter, and consumes all vanity and vice. –Gregory of Nazianzeu, Bishop of Constantinople. (330 to 390 A.D.) Oracles 39:19
The Word seems to me to lay down the doctrine of the perfect obliteration of wickedness, for if God shall be in all things that are, obviously wickedness shall not be in them. For it is necessary that at some time evil should be removed utterly and entirely from the realm of being.—St. Macrina the Blessed
In the end and consummation of the Universe all are to be restored into their original harmonious state, and we all shall be made one body and be united once more into a perfect man and the prayer of our Savior shall be fulfilled that all may be one. –St. Jerome, 331-420
For it is evident that God will in truth be all in all when there shall be no evil in existence, when every created being is at harmony with iteself and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord; when every creature shall have been made one body. –Gregory of Nyssa, 335-390
The wicked who have committed evil the whole period of their lives shall be punished till they learn that, by continuing in sin, they only continue in misery. And when, by this means, they shall have been brought to fear God, and to regard Him with good will, they shall obtain the enjoyment of His grace. –Theodore of Mopsuestia, 350-428
We can set no limits to the agency of the Redeemer to redeem, to rescue, to discipline in his work, and so will he continue to operate after this life. –Clement of Alexandria
Do not suppose that the soul is punished for endless eons (apeirou aionas) in Tartarus. Very properly, the soul is not punished to gratify the revenge of the divinity, but for the sake of healing. But we say that the soul is punished for an aionion period (aionios) calling its life and its allotted period of punishment, its aeon. –Olnmpiodorus (AD 550)
Wherefore, that at the same time liberty of free-will should be left to nature and yet the evil be purged away, the wisdom of God discovered this plan; to suffer man to do what he would, that having tasted the evil which he desired, and learning by experience for what wretchedness he had bartered away the blessings he had, he might of his own will hasten back with desire to the first blessedness …either being purged in this life through prayer and discipline, or after his departure hence through the furnace of cleansing fire.–Gregory of Nyssa (332-398 A.D.)
That in the world to come, those who have done evil all their life long, will be made worthy of the sweetness of the Divine bounty. For never would Christ have said, “You will never get out until you hqave paid the last penny” unless it were possible for us to get cleansed when we paid the debt. –Peter Chrysologus, 435
I know that most persons understand by the story of Nineveh and its king, the ultimate forgiveness of the devil and all rational creatures. –St. Jerome
“In the end or consummation of things, all shall be restored to their original state, and be again united in one body. We cannot be ignorant that Christ’s blood benefited the angels and those who are in hell; though we know not the manner in which it produced such effects. The apostate angels shall become such as they were created; and man, who has been cast out of paradise, shall be restored thither again. And this shall be accomplished in such a way, that all shall be united together by mutual charity, so that the members will delight in each other, and rejoice in each other’s promotion. The apostate angels, and the prince of this world, though now ungovernable, plunging themselves into the depths of sin, shall, in the end, embrace the happy dominion of Christ and His saints.” – COMMENTARY ON THE NEW TESTAMENT – Jerome (347-420 A.D.)
Our Lord is the One who delivers man [all men], and who heals the inventor of evil himself. — Gregory of Nyssa (332-398 A.D.), leading theologian of the Eastern Church
While the devil thought to kill One [Christ], he is deprived of all those cast out of hades, and he [the devil] sitting by the gates, sees all fettered beings led forth by the courage of the Saviour.–Athanasius, the Great Father of Orthodoxy
Our Lord descends, and was shut up in the eternal bars, in order that He might set free all who had been shut up… The Lord descended to the place of punishment and torment, in which was the rich man, in order to liberate the prisoners. –Jerome
In the liberation of all no one remains a captive! At the time of the Lord’s passion the devil alone was injured by losing all the of the captives he was keeping. –Didymus, 370 AD
While the devil imagined that he got a hold of Christ, he really lost all of those he was keeping. –St. Chrysostom, 398 AD
Button
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It originated in 3rd century with Origen, of Alexandria.
What is in practice now as Christian faith and practice is what is known as an institutional faith practice. The canonization of words from God being the root of the installment.
Before this theso called Apocrypha ,as they're known now,were considered by the faithful. And certainly the Book of Enoch.
Jesus even referred to Enoch.
The so called Gnostic ,(knowledge) Christians were some of the first in what is now known as denominational practice.
Later,their knowledge gleaned from writings of those who walked with Jesus were dismissed as heresy.
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soberxp
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This was something I read long ago in the Book of Enoch—words I still remember. It said that Enoch saw the faithful dwelling in one place forever, and the unfaithful dwelling in another place forever.
But for many reasons—perhaps a translation issue, perhaps it was truly the original wording, or perhaps God gave me a heart prone to error—I can no longer be certain which is true.
The only thing I am sure of is this: I have always remembered those words. I just cannot locate the original verse the way I can with Scripture as Bible.
Wick Stick
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I don't think that's right?
By my reckoning, the Book of Enoch postulates 4 intermediate resting places. One for the martyrs. One for the righteous dead. One for the evil dead. And one for the lukewarm.
I don't find universalism in Enoch
Source: 1Enoch Chapter 22
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Wick Stick
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It's interesting but it doesn't contradict what I wrote. Nothing in nature suggests a fire that does not consume.
Wick Stick
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Behold
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Paul the Apostle, defined "universalism" as a = cursed gospel, and those who teach it = the NT states are under a "curse".
This is because its a utterly false gospel, defined as a "doctrine of devils" in Heb 13:9 (KJV).... that literally denies that you have to be born again and forgiven your sin, before you die, and you can still go to heaven after you die still "in your sins".
So, What is that? ??
That is A blasphemy of the Holy Spirit presented as a false "GOSPEL".. that is teaching that commiting the unpardonable sin is nothing to worry about...and that is a serious serious situation for both the carnal liars who teach it.... and for the deceived "itching ears" who believe them.
Listen,
Any = real Christian .... truly understands that the reason you are accepted by God is BECAUSE you are forgiven and redeemed and born again before you die because you have given God your FAITH in Christ ......yet the Satanic Teaching that is "universalism" DENIES that this is required by God.
Here is an update for those who are confused by the confusion that is "OSAS".
Its not "eternal security" that teaches that you can live like the Devil and still go to heaven......its actually the false gospel of Universalism that teaches it, as this incredible lie from HELL teaches that you dont have to become a Christian (by Faith in Christ) before you die... but instead you are already become one just because you are alive and still unforgiven and not yet born again.
So, "universalism" is defined by Paul as a "cursed" gospel, and ALL those who teach it under a curse... according to Paul in : Galatians 1:8
Paul even states that those who decieve others with these false gospels, should be "cut off".
That means to suddenly "stop breathing".....in case you are confused about his meaning.
The "original greek" defines it as "to drop dead".
So, this false gospel is nothing to play with, yet you have religious pretenders found on Forums like this one, who do play with it, and they dont realize what is coming their way., nor do they care.
Avoid deceived deceivers who treach the cursed gospel of Universalism...and try to prove it as you are probably dealing with a fake "christian",..... and at best you are dealing with a utterly deceived religious hypocrite.
-selah
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Hillsage
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Origen died around 254 AD, before the formal split between Greek speaking Eastern Orthodox and Latin speaking Western Orthodox. Both were still considered to be the ONE body of Christ catholic church on earth. His controversial views on 'pre-existence of souls' and 'universal salvation' were only condemned by Emperor Justinian and the Second Council of Constantinople in 553 AD. So actually, it was only the EASTERN Orthodox church who posthumously condemned by later church councils, notably in the 6th century, long after his death in 254 AD. Origen was never formally excommunicated or "expelled" by a Roman Catholic authority during his lifetime, nor was he ever officially reconciled by the Roman Catholic church.
Totally agree. The PRO TESTAMENT church began in 1517 AD. PROTESTANT being the Church of Rome's attempt to ridicule the movement that lifted bible over TRADITIONS of the Church which ushered in the great APOSTASY.
BreadOfLife
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The East-West schism took place in the 11th century (1054 AD). There was ONE unified Catholic Church when the 2nd Council of Constantinople took place.
By the end of the Fourth century, Origen’s writings were being spread and taught. During this time, it was Epiphanus of Salamis who first publicly railed against Origen’s writings. Later, Theophilus of Alexandria and Jerome and called for his condemnation.
Councils were convened when there was a crisis, bad teaching or misrepresentation of the truth. There was no TV, no radio, no internet – NO rapid mass communication of ANY kind. Compared to today, bad teachings took a while to spread. Consequently, it also took a while for a Council to be convened.
Hillsage
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I know.
Origin's teachings didn't start with him. And they didn't start spreading at the end of the fourth century. They became so widely accepted they became a threat to the EASTERN ORTHODOX catholic church only.
Origin is credited with first systematically teaching and defending the doctrine of universal salvation (apokatastasis)in the 3rd century. But the doctrine was rooted in earlier 2nd-century Alexandrian thought, specifically through his teacher Clement of Alexandria, a church Father who ironically was later venerated by the EASTERN orthodox church. The church who went after ORIGIN. Church politics.....go figure.
But the only councils were not of the Latin speaking ROMAN church's doing. They were of the Greek speaking EASTERN orthodox
I don't have time to check all the quotes.
The Death of the Wicked Shall be Eternal in the Same Sense as the Life of the Saints.
The Enchiridion — St. Augustine
This perpetual death of the wicked, then, that is, their alienation from the life of God, shall abide for ever, and shall be common to them all, whatever men, prompted by their human affections, may conjecture as to a variety of punishments, or as to a mitigation or intermission of their woes; just as the eternal life of the saints shall abide for ever, and shall be common to them all, whatever grades of rank and honor there may be among those who shine with an harmonious effulgence. The Death of the Wicked Shall be Eternal in the Same Sense as the Life of the Saints.
| By the Sacrifice of Christ all Things are Restored, and Peace is Made Between Earth and Heaven. |
| The Enchiridion — St. Augustine And, of course, the holy angels, taught by God, in the eternal contemplation of whose truth their happiness consists, know how great a number of the human race are to supplement their ranks, and fill up the full tale of their citizenship. Wherefore the apostle says, that "all things are gathered together in one in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth." [1204] The things which are in heaven are gathered together when what was lost therefrom in the fall of the angels is restored from among men; and the things which are on earth are gathered together, when those who are predestined to eternal life are redeemed from their old corruption. And thus, through that single sacrifice in which the Mediator was offered up, the one sacrifice of which the many victims under the law were types, heavenly things are brought into peace with earthly things, and earthly things with heavenly. Wherefore, as the same apostle says: "For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell: and, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things to Himself: by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven." [1205] By the Sacrifice of Christ all Things are Restored, and Peace is Made Between Earth and Heaven. |
another site:
Lastly, even Augustine (354-430), who vehemently opposed Universalism, acknowledged, “There are VERY MANY in our day, who though not denying the Holy Scriptures, do not believe in endless torments.” Enchirdion cxii
FOUR REASONS THE EARLY CHURCH DID NOT BELIEVE "HELL" LASTS FOREVER - The Goodness of God
Today, many people disagree on how guilty criminals should be treated. Is the purpose of punishment, the argument goes, to rehabilitate the
thegoodnessofgod.com
I agree that is true of nature.
This is what I was thinking about.
Exodus 3:2
And the angel of Jehovah appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.
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