Universalism, the Prevailing Doctrine of the Christian Church During Its First Five Hundred Years

In his history of the early Christian church, John Wesley Hanson advances the view that Universalism - the belief that all humankind will ascend to heaven - was the initial, accepted doctrine of Christianity. A methodically argued and superbly written treatise which cites various pieces of evidence written and artistic, this book presents the various creeds of early Christianity in a manner vivid and engaging. The author for instance demonstrates how notions such as endless punishment were a later addition in deep contrast with the earlier Gnostic era teachings. The first centuries of the Christian church were filled with transition and change. The earliest Bible and saint-written texts were in Greek; it was only after the conversion of Emperor Constantine that Christians - liberated from Rome's persecutions - began to write their texts in Latin. This linguistic change alone was, according to Hanlon, the root of great upheaval. Hanson believed that the early Christian beliefs were dramatically altered when the Roman Empire was assimilated. Chiefly he cites the subsequent efforts of the Latin speaking Saint Augustine, resulting in a change of the official holy language from Greek to Latin, and thus alterations to the early doctrines. The stricter and more foreboding tone of the Latin changed Christianity; over subsequent years, adherents of Universalism - and many other beliefs deemed heretical - were subject to persecutions. Noting that Latin theologians would take to burning earlier texts with which they disagreed, Hanson argues that the interpretation of the crucifixion of Christ was also altered. He examines in depth the essential and eternal triumph of Christ's death upon the cross; this thesis therefore doubles as a superb study of sacrifice in the Christian lore. Hanson's core belief is that Christianity began as a simpler, kinder and joyous religion which closely followed and quoted the Gospels. This was a popular idea among scholars of the 19th century, and was and is to an extent agreed upon by various Protestant denominations. It is Hanson's work however that systematically and compellingly organizes, presents and argues the case for Universalism as a tenet cast away.