universalism in the apocryphal writings

[sven]

the apocrypha are rather (in)famous for promoting the doctrine of everlasting damnation (Enoch, Apocalypse of Ezra) but there are also apocryphal writings that support universalism (though they depict the torments of hell in a preposterous and medieval manner)

it seems to be the Apocalypse of Peter, the Apocalypse of Elias, the Sybilline Oracles and a work called "Acts of the Apostles"

Here a quote from one of these works:

And unto them, the godly, shall the almighty and immortal God grant another boon, when they shall ask it of him. He shall grant them to save men out of the fierce fire and the eternal gnashing of teeth: and this will he do, for he will gather them again out of the everlasting flame and remove them else whither, sending them for the sake of his people unto another life eternal and immortal, in the Elysian plain where are the long waves of the Acherusian lake exhaustless and deep bosomed

you'll find further information there (quite at the bottom):

http://wesley.nnu.edu/biblical_studies/noncanon/apoc/apcpete.htm

maybe it's interesting for somebody

[Jerm]

Something I find very interesting about the Apocalypse of Peter is how popular it was in the first few centuries of the church.  As it turns out, it was nearly, if not as, popular and well read as the Apocalypse of John (Book of Revelation.)  Hmmm.....universalism was a widespread doctrine during the first few centuries of the church, during which time a certain work that promoted the eventual reconciliation of all was widely read....interesting.....

[Lupac]

' Plainly false: for the fire will never cease to torment the damned. I indeed could pray that it might be so, who am branded with the deepest scars of transgressions which stand in need of utmost mercy. But let Origen be ashamed of his lying words, who saith that there is a term set to the torments.'

I wonder who wrote that, and what year?