Abstract

The doctrine of apokatastasis, or universalism, is the belief that ultimately all people will be saved. Apokatastasis denies the orthodox understanding of hell as retributive eternal punishment and adopts the position of remedial punishment. It is the purpose of this dissertation to examine this doctrine from a historical perspective. Universalism is studied through the periods of Christian history from the postapostolic period to the present time. As the advocates of apokatastasis are investigated, the research attempts to find some of the various motivational factors involved in one's adoption of the doctrine. ;The study is divided into three major historical periods. The first historical period investigates apokatastasis from the postapostolic period until the time of the Reformation. Origen is the center of research in this division. While his influence was widespread in the East, the West remained largely committed to the traditional view of hell, except those who were influenced by pantheistic-mysticism like John Scotus Erigena and Meister Eckart. ;The second major period examines apokatastasis from the time of Luther to the time of Barth. This period investigates such personages as Hans Denk , F. C. Oetinger , William Law , Friedrich Schleiermacher , F. D. Maurice , and Hosea Ballou . ;The last major period, and the major focus of this dissertation, is the twentieth century. The widespread proliferation of universalism and "neouniversalism" are investigated in movements such as neoorthodoxy, Christian existentialism, realized eschatology, liberation theology, Roman Catholic theology, the World Council of Churches, and evangelicalism. Individuals within these movements who are discussed include Karl Barth, Paul Tillich, Nels F. S. Ferre, John A. T. Robinson, John Hick, Oscar Cullmann, Jurgen Moltmann, Gustavo Gutierrez, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, Karl Rahner, D. T. Niles, Donald Bloesch, and Dale Moody. ;The research concludes with a topical treatment of the major motivational premises for adopting apokatastasis and a brief section on the relationship of universalism and evangelism. The motivational premises which caused many universalists throughout history to endorse apokatastasis include the nature of God, the liberty of the will, remedial punishment, pantheism-mysticism, the decree of God, election in Christ, the solidarity of the human race, the problem of theodicy, and the universal will of God. Through a growing sense of oneness in the world community and an emphasis on dialogue among the world religions, the "larger hope" is flourishing and having a detrimental effect on evangelism