Second Edition of "The Evangelical Universalist" (2012)
I have been asked to prepare a second edition of The Evangelical Universalist. It'll be out in late 2012.
For those of you interested in what I am thinking of adding, here you go:
1. A new (and quite long) preface explaining some of the stuff that I could not explain in the first edition because of my anonymity. Also talking about some of the developments in my thinking since I wrote the book.
2. A study guide (at the publisher's request)
3. An appendix with my take on Rob Bell's book (at the publisher's request)
4. An appendix (fairly long) with my responses to the best criticisms I have found to the first edition
5. A Scripture index
(6. Perhaps something on the Trinity and universalism)
I do have quite strict limits on how much I am allowed to add so I can't do everything.
If I have missed something obvious please do let me know.
For those of you interested in what I am thinking of adding, here you go:
1. A new (and quite long) preface explaining some of the stuff that I could not explain in the first edition because of my anonymity. Also talking about some of the developments in my thinking since I wrote the book.
2. A study guide (at the publisher's request)
3. An appendix with my take on Rob Bell's book (at the publisher's request)
4. An appendix (fairly long) with my responses to the best criticisms I have found to the first edition
5. A Scripture index
(6. Perhaps something on the Trinity and universalism)
I do have quite strict limits on how much I am allowed to add so I can't do everything.
If I have missed something obvious please do let me know.
Comments
Just keep reiterating the point that it is exegetically and theologically viable - not to mention desirable! There are no *more* problem passages for it than for Calvinism or Arminianism. Well done for doing it.
I don't know whether you've come across James Hamilton's book, "God's Glory In Salvation Through Judgment"? It seems to me that such an approach to redemptive history would fit well with Universalism, if taken to its logical (ultimate) conclusion.
What a wonderful surprise!
Looking forward to TEU 2.0
Tom.
Will it give too much away to ask if your response to Rob Bell will be a positive one or not?
I have seen Jim Hamilton's book and it does look good. He's certainly not a universalist but I do like the look of his approach so I'll try to pick up a copy.
Robin
I have decided to absorb my reflections on Bell into the new preface. They'll be gently and constructively critical. I like Bell and I have some nice things to say about him but I also have an objection or two.
Robin
Also, I do think you could emphasize more what "aionios" means. There are some great books on that subject.
You could emphasize: "what really is the biblical basis for eternal hell", which is ONLY those few occurences of aionios/aion.
You could put more emphasis on how the character of God as a just God is stronger in universalism.
Just some things. There could be more things. I'm writing a whole book on the subject myself, in Dutch (because there is no good book in Dutch, apart from a translation of Talbott and the book of Bonda of course), and I'm following a rather different route than you do I think.
If you want more detailed comments, I could do a reread in the near future and make notes... I'm using the SPCK edition.
On the other hand, if you're going to discuss stuff, discuss "The Deliverance of God - an apocalyptic rereading of justification in Paul" by D. Campbell.
And, yes, please include a Further Reading -- preferably annotated with your comments.