libterm.com Universalism promotes the idea that certain principles or values apply to all people regardless of culture, nationality, or background, emphasizing equality and shared human rights. This philosophy influences ethical frameworks, human rights legislation, and global cooperation efforts. Explore the rest of this article to understand how universalism shapes your worldview and impacts societal norms worldwide.
Table of Comparison
| Aspect | Universalism | Infralapsarianism |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | The belief that all souls will ultimately be saved and reconciled with God. | A theological view that God's decree to elect some to salvation comes after the decree of the Fall. |
| Salvation Scope | Universal salvation for all humans. | Limited salvation, elect based on God's sovereign choice after the Fall. |
| God's Sovereignty | Emphasizes God's all-encompassing love and mercy. | Highlights God's sovereign election within the framework of human sinfulness. |
| Order of Divine Decrees | Not specific to decree order; focuses on ultimate reconciliation. | God's decree to permit the Fall precedes election; election follows the Fall. |
| Related Doctrines | Universal reconciliation, apokatastasis. | Calvinist predestination, supralapsarianism (contrasted). |
| Key Proponents | Origen, Gregory of Nyssa (historical), modern Universalists. | Reformed theologians such as Theodore Beza, John Calvin (in aspects). |
Introduction to Universalism and Infralapsarianism
Universalism posits that all souls will ultimately attain salvation, emphasizing God's universal love and grace, while Infralapsarianism is a Calvinist doctrinal view that places God's decree of election after the decree of the Fall, affirming predestination for the salvation of some individuals. Universalism rejects the idea of eternal damnation, contrasting with Infralapsarianism's framework that maintains salvation is limited to the elect chosen by God post-Fall. The theological debate centers on God's sovereignty, human free will, and the extent of redemption offered through Christ.
Historical Development of Universalism
The historical development of Universalism traces back to early Christian thinkers like Origen and Gregory of Nyssa, who emphasized the eventual salvation of all souls. This theological perspective gained renewed interest during the Enlightenment as scholars challenged strict predestinarian views. Universalism contrasts sharply with Infralapsarianism, which emerged within Reformed theology in the 16th and 17th centuries, positing God's election occurred after the Fall of Man, emphasizing a more conditional predestination.
Origins and Key Tenets of Infralapsarianism
Infralapsarianism originates from Reformed theology and addresses the logical order of God's decrees in relation to the Fall of humanity, positioning the decree to permit the Fall before the election of some individuals to salvation. This doctrine holds that God's election occurs after the decision to allow human sin, emphasizing God's justice and sovereignty by highlighting that condemnation follows the Fall rather than preceding election. It contrasts with supralapsarianism, which places election before the Fall, and interacts with Universalism by affirming limited atonement rather than universal salvation.
Core Theological Differences
Universalism asserts that all souls will ultimately achieve salvation, emphasizing the universality of divine grace and redemption. Infralapsarianism, a form of Calvinist election doctrine, holds that God's decree of election occurs after the permission of the Fall, focusing on predestination and the order of divine decrees related to sin and salvation. The core theological difference lies in Universalism's inclusive salvation scope versus Infralapsarianism's conditional election grounded in divine justice and sovereign will.
Biblical Foundations of Universalism
Biblical foundations of Universalism emphasize scriptures such as Romans 5:18 and 1 Timothy 2:4, which suggest God's desire for all humanity to be saved, supporting the doctrine of universal reconciliation. Passages like Colossians 1:20 highlight Christ's work to reconcile all things to God, reinforcing the belief in ultimate universal restoration. This contrasts with Infralapsarianism, which interprets predestination within the framework of the Fall, limiting salvation to the elect.
Scriptural Basis for Infralapsarianism
Infralapsarianism finds strong support in passages like Romans 9:17-18, where God's sovereign election follows the permission of the Fall, suggesting a divine order after human sin. Ephesians 1:4-5 emphasizes God's predestining choice "before the foundation of the world," aligning with infralapsarian views of God's decrees post-Fall. Moreover, Genesis 3 establishes the Fall as a historical event, providing the framework for infralapsarian theology that God's decree of election is logically subsequent to human sin.
Philosophical Implications
Universalism posits that all souls will ultimately achieve salvation, challenging traditional notions of divine justice and free will by emphasizing God's all-encompassing love and mercy. Infralapsarianism, which situates divine election after the fall of humanity, asserts that God's predestination is based on foreseen sin, raising questions about human responsibility and the nature of divine sovereignty. These differing views significantly impact debates on moral accountability, the purpose of divine grace, and the interplay between determinism and human freedom in theological philosophy.
Contemporary Debates and Perspectives
Contemporary debates on Universalism versus Infralapsarianism center on the extent of divine election and human free will within soteriology, with Universalists advocating for the eventual salvation of all souls and Infralapsarians emphasizing God's decree of salvation post-fall. Scholars like Thomas Talbott argue Universalism aligns with the nature of a loving and just God, while proponents of Infralapsarianism such as John Frame highlight scriptural support for conditional election based on the fall. These discussions influence modern Reformed theology, affecting interpretations of predestination, atonement, and eschatology in academic and ecclesiastical contexts.
Major Proponents and Influential Works
Universalism is notably advanced by theologians such as Origen, who in his work *De Principiis* advocated for the eventual salvation of all souls. Influential proponents of Infralapsarianism include theologians like John Calvin and Anthony Burgess, with Burgess's *The Judgment of Martin Bucer* providing a clear defense of the infralapsarian position. These works significantly shaped the theological discourse on predestination, distinguishing between the order of God's decrees regarding the Fall and election.
Conclusion: Evaluating Universalism and Infralapsarianism
Universalism asserts that all souls will ultimately achieve salvation, emphasizing God's all-encompassing grace, while Infralapsarianism posits that God's election occurs after the Fall, maintaining a conditional predestination based on foreseen faith or unbelief. Evaluating these doctrines involves examining scriptural interpretations of divine justice, mercy, and human free will, alongside their theological implications for salvation and damnation. The debate continues to shape soteriological perspectives, influencing Christian doctrinal frameworks and pastoral approaches to salvation.
Universalism Infographic
