Origen and universalism, Origenist controversy in the early church, universalism and first principles, de principii

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Origen of Alexandria and Universalism

May 5, 2009

Is it true that most of the early "Christian" schools in the first several centuries taught universal salvation? I don't believe in universal salvation, but how could so many schools claiming to be Christian believe in that? It just doesn`t make sense to me.

The quick answer is "No," that is NOT true.
Now for a more thoughtful answer. When scholars speak of "schools" in the ancient world you must be careful not to think of schools like what we have today. Philosophers and theologians would come together to learn and present their ideas and there were a few more formal schools, Alexandria Egypt was the most famous school in the ancient world, though the philosophy school in Athens should also be mentioned.

In the early part of the third century (cir. 210-230 AD) Origen of Alexandria led the Christian school in Alexandria. In one of his many works, On First Principles he speculated on many issues, one of which was how Ephesians 1:9-10 would be fulfilled,

...which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

Origen was trying to present how this could happen - he speculated that perhaps "after eons and eons even Satan himself might be saved." This was one of several things Origen writes in this particular work that caused a firestorm in Christian history. It is difficult to stress how much conflict the writings of Origen, and this one in particular, caused. Origen was seen as a theological giant and a very godly man. If you read much about church history you will see references to "the Origenist controversy."

Church leaders argued against each other with great passion, even calling one another "heretics." Jerome and his good Rufinus parted ways, theologically and physically, mainly over their positions on the writing of Origen. There were several controversial issues within Origens writings, but perhaps none caused as much conflict as his speculations on "all" being saved.

It is VERY important to remember when criticizing Origen that he says in the preface of "First Principles" that he would be presenting many arguments in the work - some of which he believed, others he did not agree with. He went on to say that simple believers should not even read this work due to the controversial nature of his discussion. The work was written for theology/philosophy students to encourage thoughtful debate. WELL, he got debate!

It is also important to know that the answer to your question is "No." The belief in universalism was NOT widespread at all in the early church, nor has it ever been a widely held belief. It is, however, a belief that has been gaining ground for the past 100 years.

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Early Church History 101 is the place where you can learn about early christian history in an open environment. Some topics of interest: water baptism in early church history, wine in the New Testament, and the ancient world, the view of the fathers on NT Revelation, fathers on santification and holiness, faith and the resurrection, tithing and the new testament, wine and alcohol in the Bible, Gnosticism in the early church, pagan influences in Christianity, Catholic Church, the use of candles in Church, and many more.