The word reconcile at it’s most basic means to restore a relationship to harmony or to resolve a difference. This what God took the initiative to do for us through Christ. A net result of that merciful act is that we are invited to share the message of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:19). Paul walks us through the nuts and bolts of that message in the full text of the 5th chapter of 2nd Corinthians as well as in the 5th chapter of Romans. These are worth pondering at length.

There is discussion amongst some believers as to what consititutes the full extent of God’s reconcilitation efforts. “Universal Reconciliation”, or the doctrine of Inclusion, is the belief that all people will eventually have reconciliation through Jesus, who has provided atonement for all sin. The concept is often called Universalism but is distinctly different from Unitarian Universalism.

“Some scholars note universalism in Paul’s writings. Various theologians, including Clement of Alexandriaand Origen in the 3rd century, St. Gregory of Nyssaa in the 4th century, and St. Isaac the Syrian in the 7th century, expressed universalist positions. Though Gregory of Nyssa was a known universalist, he was never condemned. He was additionally declared “the father of fathers” by the seventh ecumenical council. Modern universalists believe that universalism was the primary doctrine of the church until it was forcibly stamped out in the sixth century. Four of the six theological schools of thought in ancient Christendom supported universalism, and only one supported eternal damnation. “

The most prevalent current debate is universal reconciliation or universal salvation and eternal conscious torment or hell. Supporters of the latter two argue it is a biblically based reality. Supporters of the first two believe the biblical character of God, especially as revealed in the person of Jesus, to be irreconcilable with a sovereign Lord willing and able to eternally, consciously torment people.Personally, I had never taken an in-depth look at this topic and related scriptures until about two years ago. I am grateful for what God has revealed to my heart. I look forward to hearing other people weigh in. I offer up these couple of verses for reading: Colossians 1:15-20, 1 Corinthians 4:7.