Tag Archives: universal salvation

Seeking Theodicy: Sergius Bulgakov and the Apoktastasis

Posted on 13 September 2021 by Fr Aidan Kimel

We seek theodicy. We desiderate a convincing justification for the suffering, privation, violence, futility, and death of this world. We desire assurance that this world is good and our Creator is good. We need hope that Christ will triumph over … Continue reading →

Posted in Eschatology, Sergius Bulgakov | Tagged , , , , , , , | 108 Comments

The Demonic Void and the Apokatastasis of Satan

Posted on 30 August 2021 by Fr Aidan Kimel

St Paisios the Athonite once fasted and prayed for two weeks for the eternal salvation of the devil. While praying he saw a dog’s head sticking his tongue out and mocking him. Paisios con­cluded from this incident that “God is … Continue reading →

Posted in Eschatology, Isaac the Syrian, Sergius Bulgakov | Tagged , , , , , , | 17 Comments

The Triumph of the Kingdom Over Gehenna

Posted on 23 August 2021 by Fr Aidan Kimel

“Those who are punished in Gehenna are scourged by the scourge of love”—these famous words of St Isaac the Syrian have profoundly influenced the Orthodox understanding of hell and damnation. Readers of St Isaac’s writings have for centuries assumed that … Continue reading →

Posted in Eschatology, Isaac the Syrian | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments

St Augustine of Hippo and the Misericordes

Posted on 2 August 2021 by Fr Aidan Kimel

Over the past decade I have noticed—and perhaps you have too—that most Christians who have thought about matters eschatological believe that Origen of Alexandria concocted out of the blue the doctrine of universal salvation. But in truth the greater hope … Continue reading →

Posted in Eschatology | Tagged , , , , , , | 36 Comments

The Nothing of Grace and the Apokatastasis of Justification by Faith

Posted on 2 June 2021 by Fr Aidan Kimel

My adult Christian life, both pre- and post-seminary, has been marked by theological pas­sions. Holy Trinity, Incarnation, Eucharist, feminist language for divinity, ecclesial authority—at any given point in time these topics have captured and monopolized my intellect. I would buy … Continue reading →

Posted in Eschatology, Grace, Justification & Theosis, Preaching | Tagged , , , , , , | 62 Comments

The Greater Hope: How do I find a God who triumphs over evil and death?

Posted on 19 May 2021 by Fr Aidan Kimel

Once upon a time, I would have been considered a traditionalist. That was back when I was an Episcopal priest. In my parishes I was known for my evangelical-Lutheran preaching (thank you Robert Jenson) and my firm commitment to Anglican … Continue reading →

Posted in Eschatology, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , | 43 Comments

The “Heresy” of Hopeful Universalism: Kallistos Ware, Hans Urs von Balthasar, Ralph Martin

Posted on 15 May 2021 by Fr Aidan Kimel

May we hope—as opposed to dogmatically affirming in pesky universalist fashion—that all will be saved? The fact that so many Orthodox and Catholic Christians (though no doubt representing a minority within their respective traditions) would now say yes demon­strates that … Continue reading →

Posted in Eschatology | Tagged , , , , , , | 29 Comments

Supplying the Missing Universalist Premise

Posted on 17 February 2021 by Fr Aidan Kimel

Last week Dr Brendan Triffett published “Where the Chasm Really Lies: A Libertarian Infernalist Responds to Fr Aidan Kimel.” It’s not often that anyone directly replies to my writings on the greater hope, so I quickly read it. I confess … Continue reading →

Posted in Eschatology | Tagged , , , , , , | 75 Comments