The Evangelical Universalist Forum

Michael Murray vs. three versions of universalism

Jason, thank you for your kind welcoming me back. :slight_smile:

As an Ultra-Universalist, I understand all passages of scripture that talk about punishments to be referring to punishments that occur on this side of the grave.

My Universalistic beliefs are virtually identical to those of George MacDonald. When I read his works (especially his five volumes of written sermons), I find myself unable to fundamentally disagree with his Christian beliefs. Only on details do I find disagreement.

MacDonald believed that some people require post-mortem suffering to help bring them to Christ. I think that this-worldly suffering is sufficient to accomplish the same end. In both cases, the suffering is finite and the salvation is universal and infinite. That’s why I consider MacDonald’s and my differing views on this one point to be a matter of detail rather than of substance.

God bless.