The Devil's Redemption

“No reader of this text could call McClymond's treatment of this vital question [universalism] superficial, and scholars of every eschatological persuasion will benefit from his work. Simply put, there is no other book like this. Monumental is one adjective which comes to mind, given the more than one hundred and fifty thinkers spanning nearly two millennia who come in for analysis. It is the sheer ambition of its scope which is most impressive: McClymond takes readers everywhere from sixth-century Palestinian monastic settlements to Dutch synagogues in the 1600s to Vatican II and beyond. This historical survey, compendiously researched, along with McClymond's multiple appendices treating sundry issues associated with debates on universalism not just in Christianity but in multiple religious traditions, will serve as a welcome resource to be consulted and re-consulted in future studies on universalism, whether broadly considered or with respect to the myriad individual thinkers whose thought McClymond details and engages. . . . . These two sweeping volumes inform and challenge.”

Roberto J. De La Noval

“Why would one write a treatise on universalism as large as this one? The answer is simple: universalism is a widespread and increasingly popular notion not just in Christianity but also in Judaism and Islam. Moreover, its affirmation affects everything in the Christian faith and ultimately renders grace meaningless. With immense erudition, the author traces the notion of universalism through the centuries; introduces us to its proponents from the Christian fold and elsewhere; and convincingly shows that it relies on a nonliteral interpretation of Scripture and a substantial rejection of church tradition, freely borrowing from other sources such as the paranormal and the esoteric. These two volumes provide us with a wealth of insights, an enormous amount of carefully laid-out material, and important conclusions.”

Hans Schwarz

“The Devil's Redemption is an outstanding work, covering the development of Christian universalism from the second century to the twenty-first and not forgetting its connections to its Jewish and Islamic counterparts. The book's erudite investigation is sustained by a solid and consistent philosophical-theological background that allows the author to make his main points in a straightforward way. McClymond makes an extremely strong case against universalism, revealing its weak metaphysical presuppositions as well as its historical failures. This is certainly a must-read book not only for specialists but also for every educated Christian in a time like ours, when universalism has an unparalleled appeal.”

Claudio Pierantoni

“McClymond's study is an in-depth historical and systematic theological critique of Christian universalism--the idea that not only are all people saved but that they are all saved through Christ. This book is a stunning achievement in several ways. First, it takes seriously the arguments in defense of Christian universalism by examining how biblical exegesis, church tradition, rational argumentation (both philosophical and theological), and personal experience enter into these arguments. Second, McClymond shows the interconnection of the issue of universalism with everything the Christian faith has to say about God's love and justice; human nature; sin; freedom; Jesus's life, death on the cross, resurrection, and ascension; the Holy Spirit; the nature of the church; and the second coming of Christ. And if that weren't enough, McClymond provides a rich historical perspective on Christian universalism by discussing its representative proponents and critics. Offering an extraordinary opportunity for critical dialogue in our current culture of universalism, this book simply could not have come at a better time.”

Eduardo J. Echeverria

“The definitive treatment of Christian universalism for years to come is an ambitious, wide-ranging theology of universalism in the Western tradition and its analogues elsewhere. The impressive scope of the work is supported by rigorous analysis and interpretation and aided by clarity of style and presentation. McClymond gathers many different intellectual strands across time and space and weaves them into a coherent statement about the nature and scope of evil and redemption. Without question, the book will establish itself as a standard work of scholarship in the field, and for that McClymond deserves the gratitude of the guild.”

Lamin Sanneh†

“More and more evangelicals seem to be willing to consider the possibility that, because God is love, each and every person who has ever lived will eventually be saved. What are we to make of this soteriological mission creep? McClymond's magisterial study provides both a thorough historical investigation of the ancient and modern roots of Christian universalism and a thoughtful theological evaluation of their presuppositions, claims, and consequences. He shows that what on the surface appears to be not simply good but the best news--if universal salvation is indeed better than the traditional good news of salvation in Christ for those who have faith--on closer analysis ends up undermining the logic of the biblical gospel and of Christian orthodoxy. It turns out that grace that is necessary is no longer grace, but that to which creatures are entitled. Important issues require important books, and McClymond has produced what I suspect will be the definitive treatment of Christian universalism for years to come.”

Kevin J. Vanhoozer

“The question of universalism seems to be a rather simple controversy. On the one hand, if the eternal, all-good God has the power to save all His rational creatures, then surely He would do so; on the other hand, Scripture and Tradition speak explicitly against universal salvation. In this magnum opus, Michael McClymond tells a different story, one that exposes universalism's extraordinary historical breadth and complexity. This is a page-turner that both sides will have to read.”

Matthew Levering

“This book is indeed a tour de force, everything you wanted to know about Christian universalism and more. Meticulously crafted and copiously referenced, this will set the standard on the subject for years to come.”

Allan H. Anderson

“As Michael McClymond demonstrates in this timely magnum opus, the overwhelming majority of Christians down through the ages have rejected universalism. However, very few Christians know the history of this rejection--not to mention the reasons some have favored universalism and often suffered for it. This book is now the best place to start learning this history. It is a tour de force of historical theology.”

Douglas A. Sweeney

“Erudite! Encyclopedic! Exhaustive! A universal discussion that leaves no stone unturned, no stream uncharted, and no argument untouched. Even as McClymond is unflinching in defending the historic orthodox consensus against the idea of universal salvation, his is a generous orthodoxy, the persuasiveness of which undoubtedly rests at least in part on his having taken time to listen to marginal voices and seriously grapple with the broadest extent of their claims within local and even global contexts. It will be a long time before universalist theologians will be able to make a compelling case that is as comprehensive as that of The Devil's Redemption.”

Amos Yong

“A timely and fascinating book on a crucial topic that probably only an omnicompetent historical theologian like Michael McClymond could write. McClymond shows that while the notion of universal salvation has attractive features, it does not have a very encouraging spiritual or theological track record in the history of the church.”

Craig S. Keener

“This tome by Michael McClymond is a theological bombshell. The first-ever complete history of the doctrine of universal salvation, it is a devastating demolition of the supposition that universalism can be sustained with exegetical or systematic integrity.”

Gerald McDermott