Hope Beyond Hell

I had only started merely considering Universal Restorationism for several months, thanks to an influential researcher on Youtube named Anthony from the channel GodRules. I was intrigued at the possibility of eventual salvation for all, and had already rejected endless torment many years prior. While listening to yet another one of his videos, he brought up the HopeBeyondHell website, read a few life-changing testimonies because of this book, and recommended the book itself. At that point, I knew I had to get myself a copy and consider the issue firsthand. It took me a while to read through all of it, appendices and all, but after reading the book as well as filling in the vital church history documented context of the doctrine with John Wesley Hanson's classic book, I was finally convinced that my previously held belief of Annihilationism or the permanent incineration of the wicked, to be as scripturally incorrect as the endlessly burning embodied souls view. You will find this book to be jam-packed with mounds of scripture on every single page, all testifying the same thing: the Blessed Hope for all humanity. There isn't a single verse of Scripture that indicates there will be no forgiveness after death. You would think there would be, considering firmly this assumption is maintained in so many different Christian traditions. During my years of theological training at a private Christian university, I encountered a diverse array of denominations that students, professors, and faculty subscribed to, yet they all assume this to be certain. We humans all being the children of God cannot expect anything less than relentless forgiveness from a Heavenly Father who is defined as Love. As the book mentions, it would be a mockery to us humans if God tells us that "His anger lasts only for a BRIEF MOMENT, and his good favor restores one's life. One may experience sorrow during the night, but joy arrives in the morning" (Ps 30:5 NET). No other view of hell can reconcile this, and tons of other benevolent promises, found in the Bible. Let the scriptures speak for themselves rather than letting the traditions of man drown it all out.

If anybody had told me six months ago that ... 1. The Bible teaches that Hell is NOT "eternal", "everlasting" or "forever and ever" 2. Many scriptures teach that everybody will eventually be saved 3. Most early church fathers -- at least the ones who spoke the language of the New Testament (Greek) -- believed that all would be saved ... I would have rolled my eyes in disbelief. Hope Beyond Hell shows convincingly that all three statements are true, and gives about a hundred reasons to believe that all will be saved in the end. This book's strengths are its scriptural foundation, comprehensiveness and clarity. I know it's hard for many of us to believe that Christianity has been wrong about this issue for the last fifteen centuries, but I appeal to my fellow Evangelicals (and everybody else) to be good Bereans (Acts 17:11) and go whereever the scriptural evidence leads. You can read the whole book on the author's website for free. Or at least check out Romans 5:18-20, Romans 11:32, I Corinthians 15:22, John 12:32, Colossians 1:20, and as many of the other 175 passages listed in Appendix I as you can. The worst that will happen is that you'll disagree and will be able to defend your faith better (I Pet 3:15). The best that will happen is that the really good news will give you new eyes with which to see life, people, and your (and everybody's) Heavenly Father who always is love.

I always knew there was something wrong with orthodox Christian beliefs and was close to being an atheist while arguing with God to myself and out loud for decades. Then God revealed His truth -- that Christ's birth was truly "good tidings of great joy, which shall be to ALL people." This is a wonderful read and a wonderful book -- I can't recommend it more. I ordered 10 copies from the author to give to friends and family. I LOVE this book.

I was impressed by the author's excellent research, organization, readability, documentation, serious theological and exegetical defense of Christian Universal Reconciliation. This ranks along with Thomas Talbott, The Inescapable Love of God, as one of the best defenses of this view available. Wheras Talbott's book is philosophical, Beauchemin's Hope Beyond Hell is pastoral. The authors head and heart bring the openminded reader to consider what may be the most important paradigm shift that can be made concerning God and the gospel. I cannot stop sharing the insights and ideas and truths that remain faithful to a high view of scripture and set me free from some conclusions I now believe are unworthy of the God I love. Don Hendricks

Gerry Beauchemin has done a fantastic job of explaining the "real" good news that God will eventually draw all men to Himself. He has presented the scriptural evidence for the ultimate salvation of all mankind. He also points out the inconsistencies in bible translation that have led to the false belief in eternal torment. And he has done it in a logical, "common sense" way that the average layman can understand. Overall, it's the best book on the subject that I have found. I keep ordering more to give to friends and family!

There are several books on the subject of ultimate reconciliation. This is the very latest and in some respects up-to-date, that is, relevant to questions that come up these days. It is easy to read. The author, Gerard Beauchemin, starts with a question that has disturbed us, what do we say to people about life after death and the judgment that follows. He shows from scripture why we can believe that God will eventually reconcile all people. He also points out where the errors in Bible translation have crept in that had many confused for a long time so we could not see or believe the truth shown in Scripture. I hope and know that many will find relief that God is greater than the theologians have made Him. Anything else is insulting our Lord.