The Evangelical Universalist Forum

Miroslav Volf - Yale Divinity

Evangelical Universalism
#1

I’ve started reading his book “Free of Charge: Giving and Forgiving in a Culture Stripped of Grace”. Great book so far! A few of the phrases from his various books/articles are (related to universalism):

  1. “Though those who have been touched by God’s love ought to hope for a universal nonrefusal, if they are not blind to the human condition they will be hesitant to count on it.”

  2. “I am not a universalist, but God may be”

It seems to me he has inclusivist leanings, if not universalist leanings. Anyways, I would think he would be a great guest to temporarily replace Joel Green. He’s a widely respected theologian originating from Croatia, so he has a unique theological perspective. Auggy, any idea if you could land Volf to dialogue w/ GMac?

Anyone ever thought of this?
Ghosts, demons and Samuel..
"The Prodigal Gospel of Rob Bell" (aka JRP's long review)
#2

I second that notion!

Incidentally, I’ve never once counted on the human condition for universalism… :mrgreen: But then, I don’t consider universalism to involve non-refusal by God. I consider universalism to involve action by God toward saving sinners from sin. :slight_smile: Most (or all??) of the local kaths here, including Gregory, would agree on that, I think. (Volf may be thinking more of popular I’m-not-sinning-I’m-living-my-lifestyle-choice universalism. :neutral_face: )

#3

I’ll drop an invite to him and see if he’d be willing to dialogue.

Aug

#4

Thanks auggy for inviting him. Hopefully he agrees.

#5

Any updates on your contact w/ Volf, Auggy? Volf may deny being a universalist, but there are far too many subtle (and not so subtle) references to universalism in the book I just finished reading (“The End of Memory: Remembering Rightly in a Violent World”) for that refutation to have any merit. BTW, a great book. A little difficult to follow in certain areas, but a fantastic read!

I think he would be an incredibly insightful partner with Gregory or Tom, not as a staunch opponent of universalism, but as someone who lives as if universalism is true, even if he may not agree with the tenets of UR.

#6

Just discovered Dickson respects Volf… unfortunately I haven’t read any Volf but how is he going, is he a universalist yet? :slight_smile:

#7

(sorry for posting on threads hunting for additions to the list - tell to quit it if it becomes annoying)

Can anyone confirm Volf’s position (prefwith quote?) on universalism/hell/annihilationism?