Robin Parry and Christian Universalism Today
Fresh from the release of the second edition of his book, The Evangelical Universalist, Robin Parry pays a visit to Beyond the Box to talk to Steve about the current state of acceptance of Christian Universalism in evangelical circles and the effect this has had on other areas of theology within the body of Christ.
Originally written under the pseudonym “Gregory MacDonald” for reasons Robin has shared publicly elsewhere and also mentions here in this interview, The Evangelical Universalist has been a great resource for many who have allowed themselves to imagine a God who does ultimately reconcile all of mankind to himself in the end.
While this episode does not seek to defend Ultimate Reconciliation (we’ve devoted a number of episodes to that in the past), the discussion revolves more around the controversy (or surprising lack of it!) regarding Christian Universalism, the direction in which evangelicalism might be headed now that there is a wider acceptance of what some view as out-and-out heresy, and even some pressing questions from Steve regarding other possible pseudonyms of Robin Parry. 😉
Apologies for a Skype connection that sometimes made it challenging to catch all of Robin’s thoughts, but the overall content of the episode will certainly encourage many who are on a similar path of understanding Christian Universalism.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 57:53 — 53.0MB) | Embed
July 10th, 2012 at 1:08 pm
Hey guys, great interview! A couple things regarding the audio problems…
1) In case anyone was wondering, the 18th century minister who started out under George Whitefield and became a universalist through the implications of Calvinism was James Relly.
2) I’d like to know who your guest joked that “Robin Parry” was a pseudonym for in the last few seconds of the interview. Steve got a kick out of it, but it was unintelligible here!
July 10th, 2012 at 1:16 pm
I need to go back and listen, but I think when I asked him if “Robin Parry” was a pseudonym, he said something about them all being pseudonyms. I don’t remember off the top of my head
July 12th, 2012 at 8:15 pm
Great dialog between Steve and Robin on Christian Universalism despite a bit of audio difficulties. But seriously guys, what is it – is it because Robin and his countryman are hosting the summer Olympics? I’ve been trying to sell my ICU theory (Inverse Christian Universalism) where everyone is going to hell but me (it should be quite Evangelical-friendly), but no one is buying it. What do I have to do, win a gold medal in two weeks?
August 20th, 2012 at 10:33 pm
Thanks for the interview with Robin Parry. I am a Universalist who still believes in the Penal Substitution theory of the Atonement. I don’t think it’s *the* central aspect, but I believe it is one of them. However, you don’t need to assent to it to be saved. Thanks, Robin, for your information on James Relly, who understood how linked Penal Substitution and Universal Salvation are.
August 31st, 2013 at 12:49 am
Hi,
I have been wrestling with the idea of what I’ve been taught about how a loving God could create billions of people and choose to send the majority of them to a place of eternal torment. People say they sent themselves there by rejecting Christ, but really God chooses to cause some to believe.i even find it hard to worship a God who sends most of his people to hell, though I am thankful he chose me.
August 31st, 2013 at 12:54 am
What is amazing is how. When you bring up questions like I just stated to christians, they don’t want to even think about it for the most part, sad.