Universalism: The Prevailing Doctrine of the Christian Church During Its First Five Hundred Years, With Authorities and Extracts (Hardcover)

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.