Universalism
Outside historic orthodoxy
The teaching that all people will be saved, whatever they believe, so that faith in Christ is not necessary for salvation.
Also called: universalist, all roads lead to God
What it means
Universalism teaches that every person will finally be saved. In its broadest form, often called pluralism, it holds that all sincere religions lead to God, so that the gospel is one path among many. In other forms, Christ is the one through whom salvation comes, but people are saved by Him whether or not they ever trust Him.
The view is attractive because it seems to honor God's love and spares us the hardest truths of the Bible. But the church has always confessed that salvation is found in Christ alone and received by faith in Him. A related view, that all will be reconciled to God through Christ after passing through judgment, is treated separately as universal reconciliation.
What Scripture says
Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Him.
There is salvation in no one else, and no other name by which we must be saved.
Whoever believes in the Son has life; whoever rejects Him remains under God's wrath.
The gate to destruction is wide; the way to life is narrow and few find it.
There is one God and one mediator between God and men, Christ Jesus.
What is wrong with it
Jesus says no one comes to the Father except through Him, and the apostles preach that there is no other name by which we must be saved. Scripture repeatedly divides humanity into those who believe and have life and those who do not believe and remain under wrath. Jesus Himself warned that many are on the broad road to destruction. Universalism has to set aside all of this.
How it undermines the truth
It undermines the necessity of faith, the uniqueness of Christ, and the seriousness of sin and judgment. If all are saved regardless, then the cross was not necessary for anyone in particular, repentance is optional, and the warnings of Christ are empty. In the end it denies the gospel, because the gospel is a call to believe, and universalism says belief does not matter.
How it can harm a church
A church that teaches universalism has no urgent reason to evangelize, send missionaries, or call anyone to repent. Its members are given false comfort about loved ones and about themselves. The warnings Jesus gave in love are muted, so people who need them most never hear them.
This page describes a teaching, not the faith of any person who holds it.
Where it comes up
Confessions: WCF 10.4; WCF 33.2; LBCF 1689 10.4; Athanasian Creed
On this site: Gospel & justification
Related terms
Universal reconciliationOutside historic orthodoxy
The teaching that every person, and in some versions even the devil, will eventually be reconciled to God through Christ, so that hell is temporary.
Eternal conscious punishmentHistoric orthodoxy
Those who die without Christ will experience God's just punishment consciously and without end.
The gospelHistoric orthodoxy
The good news that God saves sinners through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and freely forgives and accepts all who turn from sin and trust in Him.
Justification by faith aloneHistoric orthodoxy
God declares sinners righteous in His sight not because of anything they do, but only because of Christ's righteousness, received through faith alone.