Best books (hardcopy) on Universal Salvation

[legoman]

Hi folks,

I briefly talked with my Mom again about UR over Christmas.  She is still unconvinced, but she is fine with where I am.  Part of the problem for her is that she said she would never be able to study it like I do because she can't sit in front of the computer and read for hours. 

I grew up in the computer age - I was programming my C64 when I was age 10.  I read code/text on the screen for 8 hours a day as part of my day job. Then I go home and work on the computer even more.  However for my Mom, reading something in depth on screen for more than an hour a day would be pushing it.  Forget about trying to read 100+ page J.Eby or L.Ray Smith articles.  Her eyes were never "configured" for reading from a brightly lit screen. 

With that in mind, I thought I would get her a book or two.  There are some benefits of a book.  A book carries weight.  A book is comfortable.  You can read a book in bed before you go to sleep.

So, what are the best books that give a good intro to UR?

Hope beyond Hell?
Evangelical Universalism?
Others?

I've also thought about printing off some web-sites, but I'm not sure that would be the same effect as an "official" published book on UR.

Thanks for your help...

[WhiteWings]

Hi,

I've also thought about printing off some web-sites, but I'm not sure that would be the same effect as an "official" published book on UR.

What do you mean by that? That she doesn't trust anything found online?
Or that a book has a better print quality?

I've read some books online. I've bought some 'real' books.
For me "Hasons four works" from the mains site is  :thumbsup:
Many are very happy with the book of Harold Lovelace. But for me it is  :thumbdown:
I think the first and most important thing is to know what kind of person your mother is.
Read and accept: Then the book of Harold Lovelace is likely ok/good.
Prove it to me: Then something more indepth like Hanson's is needed.

If I look at myself and assume I had a ET background then books like that of Lovelace would be no good. Why? I'm sure you watched some UR video's on YouTube. Often well done. Replies are good too. But then a ET pops up showing some "ever and ever" and "hell" verses. Personally I wouldn't believe Gary's video's either without a having read Hanson's and the like.
But I'm not your mother..... I suggest you say a few prayers of thanks now  :laughing7:

PS. An advantage of self printed books is that you have a control over the font size.

[Chris]

I've not read that many hardcopy books myself, though I know that some that I have read online are actually available that way. What about Andrew Jukes? (Though those may not be the 'easiest' to read.)

I've read:

Hope Beyond Hell (Beauchemin)
At the End of the Ages - The Abolition of Hell (Evely)
Flawed by Design (Zender)
Martin Zender Goes to Hell (Zender)
The Inescapable Love of God (Talbott)

I downloaded the last one as an e-book, but it is available hardcopy. I have the others in hardcopy if you want them.

[Mr.Irrelevant]

Hey Legoman,

I usually give out Hope Beyond Hell to people I want to introduce the subject with, but I agree with Whitewings that it depends alot on the kind of reader your mother is.  I also really like the first half of The Inescapable Love of God, but it bogs down in the philosophical argument towards the end.

If your mom isn't much of a reader you might recommend a couple of fictional works like The Shack or The Jerome Conspiracy to get the ball rolling

[Chris]

I loved "The Shack"  :thumbsup: (though I read it as someone who already believed in UR, so don't know how it would read to someone who doesn't - as it relates to 'teaching' UR). 

What about "Whatever Became of Melanie"?

I have not read it, but have thought about getting it, as it seems to get good reviews by other here in another section of the board?

[Chris]

If you are looking for something shorter than Ray's articles to print out, you could try looking through some of Leroy's blogs at MySpace:

http://www.myspace.com/lnoffsinger

His focus is strictly limited to Christ as the Saviour of all men. He doesn't get into all the other "details". They are quite good!!!  :thumbsup:

[eaglesway]

 I think Hope Beyond Hell is the best introductory level book on UR.

[legoman]

My mother is an avid reader, just not so much of the online variety.

Also physical book may carry more weight than a website printed out (a website could be just any old crazy guy, as opposed to a book... which also could have been written by any old crazy guy, but at least he got a publisher  :winkgrin:).

I'm kind of leaning towards Hope beyond Hell as a first pick.  I think I've read most (all) of it from the PDF on the main page, I just need to get a hardcopy I guess.

BTW She has already read The Shack (and loved it I think), she gave me a copy actually!  I will have to look into Jerome's conspiracy.

Anyway I think (I hope) she might accept some of it if she could see the arguments and explanations all laid out on paper.  All I can do is pray and leave it up to God beyond that...

[WhiteWings]

Also physical book may carry more weight than a website printed out (a website could be just any old crazy guy, as opposed to a book... which also could have been written by any old crazy guy, but at least he got a publisher  :winkgrin:).

Many of the books in the scholars corner are still for sale on Amazon.
But often around $200 a piece because many are quite old.

My mother is an avid reader

Then my guess is that she will verify everything against the Bible no matter in what format it comes. So printout or book isn't perhaps so important after all. Anyway she already made the first big step.
Being prepared to study it. That's much more than many....

Good luck :thumbsup:

[NinjaWizards777]

I think at the end of the ages or hope beyond hell are the best for starter books. Im reading the evangelical universalist right now but as much as I love it, it is a little too theological and deep for the average person that just wants the general idea.

I would recomend the gospel of incluson as well, but that book is more about breaking free of fundamentalist dogma than it is about universalism...so I think you have to be in a certain place spiritually for it to really benefit you.

Im sure there are tons of other great books that arent too theological either, just out of the 4 actual BOOKS ive read, thats my suggestion.

[HartleyDamboiseII]

Legoman, the best I can give is the following for cheep and deep

www.concordant.org  Christ Triumphant
                                  Restitution of ALL Things by Andrew Jukes
                    and anything at www.sigler.org all free if you ask for them
                         of course everyone need money to print their books, so send what you can...    Lee Damboise II

and a good Literal Bible (www.concordant.org) New Testament

[SteveW]

I saw some great reviews of "The Evangelical Universalist" - anyone read it?  It sounds fairly scholarly so I probably wouldn't give it to my mom but I don't know about yours.

I also saw that Talbott wrote another book "universal salvation?:  the current debate" which got great reviews.  Just wondered if anyone has taken a look.

The reviews I read considered these two a couple of the very best on Universalism.

I printed out Hansons Four Works so I could mark it up.  But that thing isn't very easy reading.  Has anyone published it in hard copy?

[HartleyDamboiseII]

YES, YOU CAN GET A LOT AT THE TENTMAKER SITE, AND WWW.SIGLER.ORG AND WWW.CONCORDANT.ORG.

LEE DAMBOISE II

THE RESTITUTION OF ALL THINGS BY ANDREW JUKES IT THE BEST ON UR.
@ CONCORDANT

AND CHRIST TRIUMPHANT @ CONCORDANT, BUT VERY DEEP AND EXTENSIVE .

[Shawn_71]

I've read several that have mentioned so far.

Really Liked Talbott's book.

Jerome Conspiracy might be good if nothing else but to get someone thinking. Fiancee's mom read that one and went to her pastor........was real eye openening for her. We've had some great conversations since and shared a lot of reading with her. Her Pastor honestly couldn't refute anything with regards to UR.


I'm currently reading 'If Grace is True: Why God Will Save Every Person'. It's an easy, easy read and doesn't seem to bog down. I will share it with others in the future.

[legoman]

Just to followup, I ordered 2 copies of Hope Beyond Hell, and a copy of Whatever Became of Melanie (since its on sale).  I will be looking out for a copy of Jerome Conspiracy as well.

FYI Hope Beyond Hell is only $5.00! Its a really good deal, makes it easy to get multiples to give away...

[legoman]

Ok I just finished reading the 64 page preview of Jerome conspiracy online.  Now I have to buy the book to find out the rest!   :sigh: :happy3:

[Chris]

5 Free Books!

No Strings Attached.

Through the love and gracious generosity of a fellow-member of Christ's Body, we are able to offer you 5 books – absolutely free – including postage and handling. (A $60 retail value).

At The End of the Ages: The Abolition of Hell
by Bob Evely. 171 pages.

Hope Beyond Hell: The Righteous Purpose Of God's Judgment.
by Gerry Beauchemin. 247 pages.

Flawed By Design: Think Your Sins Are Ruining God's Plan for Your Life? Think Again.
by Martin Zender. 75 pages.

Martin Zender's Guide to Intelligent Prayer: "Do Prayer Circles Work Better Than Prayer Squares?"
by Martin Zender. 80 pages.

Martin Zender Goes To Hell
by Martin Zender. 78 pages.

How to Order: Contact us providing your name & address.

Call: 1-800-784-6010
Email: Books@StudyShelf.com
Write: StudyShelf
PO Box 265
Windber, PA 15963

[Firefly]

The most comprehensive selection I've found is at Abebooks. Once there, select Advanced Search, then type "Universalist" in the Keyword section. It will bring up a few thousand selections (not all are applicable, but many are). To narrow the search to the old authors (i.e.: Moore, Guild, Ballou, Thomas, Thayer, Rogers, Williamson, Minor, Brooks, Allin, Paige, Browne, Steere, etc, etc, etc) select dates from 1700 to 1900. The descriptions are usually pretty good. If you need more info you can email the seller. Regarding more recent titles, I am quite partial to "Whatever Became Of Melanie?" I'm suprised more people are not familiar with it. Gary Amirault wrote in his Amazon review: "This book will change many lives forever." I tend to agree.

[friendofmankind]

If it is a book covering every aspect of UR, i would suggest...

Christian Universalism: God's Good News For All People.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Christian-Universalism-Gods-Good-People/dp/0967063183/ref=pd_sim_b_1

Its short and too the point and a great intro to the subject.

However, hope beyond hell, as a whole is a fantastic book, covering more aspects of the faith.

To be honest, i would get the two of them.  They are the best i have read on the subject.

Remember you can read hope beyond hell on the internet before you buy it...or even just print it off.
Just google it.

[lomarah]

Hope Beyond Hell was a great book to start with IMO. Everytime I have doubts creep in I just go back to that book and read all the scripture references he quotes about God's love and His will. It was a very easy read and I would recommend it to anyone. I have started reading 'The One Purpose of God: an answer to the doctrine of eternal punishment' by Jan Bonda and I really like it so far. The only thing I don't agree with is that he believes that God may annihilate a very few people who just will not repent after ages and ages and ages. I disagree with him (love ALWAYS perseveres), but other than that it's looking like it's going to be very informative. Bob Evely's book is good as well, although not as easy a read as Hope Beyond Hell. I gave Evely's book to my Grammy to read (because I had lent out Hope Beyond Hell and haven't got it back yet) and to my extreme surprise she confessed that she does not believe in eternal torture, and that he made a good point when he stated that the wages of sin is death, not eternal torture in hell! I was completely shocked and so glad that I gave it to her to read.

Let us know how it goes with your Mom.   :smile:

[legoman]

Well, I mailed a copy of Hope Beyond Hell to my Mom & Dad last week.  They should be receiving it soon.  It will be interesting to see how this turns out...

[lomarah]

Well, I mailed a copy of Hope Beyond Hell to my Mom & Dad last week.  They should be receiving it soon.  It will be interesting to see how this turns out...

:thumbsup: Keep us posted!

[legoman]

Well, I mailed a copy of Hope Beyond Hell to my Mom & Dad last week.  They should be receiving it soon.  It will be interesting to see how this turns out...

:thumbsup: Keep us posted!

Talked to Mom yesterday  - they have received the book and Mom is quite interested in going through it, didn't get into much more detail than that. 

My parents live about 2000 miles from where I am, but they are coming down to visit on the May long weekend, so we will probably have a good discussion about it then.  In the meantime, I am studying up on explaining things gently and slowly...