A Process Theology View of Universalism: What About Injustice? Part 2

A PROCESS THEOLOGY VIEW

OF UNIVERSALISM:

What About Injustice?

PART 2

by R.E. Slater & ChatGPT

Introduction:

Christian universalism raises deep questions about love, justice, judgment, and redemption. For many, it offers the hope that all will eventually be saved. But in Process Theology, that hope is rooted not in divine force or inevitability, but in divine persuasion, freedom, and the ongoing possibility of transformation. This document explores the nature of heaven, hell, and divine justice through the lens of process thought, offering a vision of universalism grounded in love without coercion.

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Statement

If the unjust are never punished, and if the same perpetrators are ultimately redeemed, where is the justice for victims? Doesn’t this make evil meaningless or excusable?

Response

Heaven, Hell, and Annihilation in Process Theology

• Heaven is not a place of reward, but a state of full relational harmony with God. It is becoming aligned with divine lure and participating in co-creation with God.

• Hell is not a realm of torment, but the self-chosen experience of resisting love, narrowing one’s becoming, and isolating oneself from relational wholeness.

• Annihilation in the process view is not literal erasure but the unrealized potential of a soul. All experiences are retained in God’s consequent nature, even those marked by distortion or failure.

In Process Theology, time is real and ongoing—even beyond death. Eternity is not a static realm, but an everlasting openness to God's lure. Postmortem transformation remains possible because divine love never ceases its invitation, and creaturely freedom continues to respond.

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Justice and the Suffering of the Innocent

Evangelical theology often frames justice as retribution, asking: “Where is justice for the victim if the unjust are not punished?”

Process theology redefines justice as relational healing rather than divine punishment. It insists:

• The suffering of victims is never forgotten or erased. God holds and redeems it in the divine memory (sic, God's consequent nature).

• God is the great companion who suffers with the victim and works persistently to redeem that suffering in the unfolding of history.

• The pain is not erased. It is transformed through time, memory, relationship, and divine responsiveness.

• The unjust experience real consequence - not imposed punishment, but alienation, dis-integration, and eventual invitation to transformation.

• True justice includes the restoration of victims, the transformation of perpetrators, and the renewal of community.

God’s justice is not about punishment but about healing the whole.

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The Unjust Face Consequence

Even if coercive punishment is not part of the process vision, consequence still is:

• The unjust are not “let off the hook.”

• Their estrangement, distortion, and fragmentation from divine lure are themselves a kind of suffering - not imposed by God, but embedded in the nature of reality.

• God may still call the unjust into accountability, not for vengeance, but for transformation and restitution.

If hell exists, it is the felt experience of resisting love. But God never stops offering the way out via redemption.

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Redemption Includes the Wounded

If the unjust are ever truly transformed (freely, never forced), process theology insists that:

• It must include reparative action - the healing of relationships, including divine justice toward those harmed.

• The victim’s dignity is not overwritten by cheap grace but honored through divine memory and relational repair.

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The Role of Memory and Forgiveness

Process Theology emphasizes God’s consequent nature as the living memory of all creation. No experience - however joyful or tragic - is lost. God eternally values all moments and weaves them into the divine life.

Forgiveness, in this framework, is not dependent on the offender’s repentance but arises from God’s enduring will to reconcile and redeem. Divine forgiveness is offered without coercion, and its reception remains open-ended.

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The Christological Vision

Jesus Christ in Process Theology is not the enforcer of divine wrath but the archetype of persuasive love. In Christ, we see the embodiment of divine vulnerability, sacrificial compassion, and healing presence. The cross is not about satisfying divine justice through violence, but about revealing the depth of God's solidarity with the suffering and God's ultimate lure toward resurrection life.

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Cosmic Universalism

Process universalism extends beyond humanity. All creation - animals, ecosystems, and possibly conscious artificial intelligences - are part of God’s ongoing process. God’s lure is not limited to human souls but includes the flourishing of all relational life. Redemption is not only personal; it is ecological and cosmic.

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Pastoral Implications

A vision of hope without coercion transforms how we live, preach, grieve, and minister:

• To the grieving parent: your child is eternally held by God.

• To the victim: your pain is remembered and honored.

• To the doubter: salvation is not a test to pass but a relationship to grow.

Pastorally, this theology nurtures courage, compassion, and faithful imagination—trusting that love will have the final word.

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Summary Table: Evangelical vs. Process Views of Justice

Evangelical Justice	Process Theology Justice
Retribution for wrongdoers	Restoration of all relationships
Fixed judgment at death	Ongoing divine lure beyond death
Divine wrath against evil	Divine compassion with real consequence
Exclusion or torment	Transformation or enduring distance (by choice)
Vindication through violence	Vindication through healing and wholeness

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Conclusion:

Process Theology affirms a universal hope - but never by force. It envisions a world in which all are lovingly called, persistently invited, and eternally held by God’s persuasive presence. Salvation is not imposed; it is co-created. Justice is not retribution; it is transformation. Love does not end. And though the future is open, hope endures—because God never stops calling creation forward.

In a universe shaped by process, hope without coercion is not weak. It is divine.

A Process Theology View of Universalism: Hope Without Coercion, Part 1

A PROCESS THEOLOGY VIEW

OF UNIVERSALISM:

Hope Without Coercion

PART 1

by R.E. Slater and ChatGPT

Introduction

From time-to-time I wander in-and-out of past subjects I've written about. Today's subject on Christian Universalism is such an event. I have heard of painters who would paint the same subject over-and-over, and I feel that this sometimes describes my own passion to turn a Christian doctrine or theme around-and-around until I can see it clearly.

It would seem that the subject of Universalism is one of those dogmatic watersheds on which Christians deem a significant turning point which can dramatically reshape understanding, belief, or practice within a religious tradition. If accepted, it becomes a moment of profound change, altering the course of theological thought and leading to new perspectives or interpretations on the Christ-event and biblical teaching.

Universalism teaches that all humans will ultimately be saved through Christ. It seems reasonable to many Christians and unreasonable to many others. It might also be described a a theological theologoumenon which means that it is a concept which derives its force more from outside the bible than inside it. A theologoumenon is defined as "a theological statement or concept more in the area of individual opinion than of authoritative doctrine."

For myself, I might be generally persuaded towards accepting universalism though my greatest doctrinal obstacle has always been the resolvement of injustice and evil. If universalism is true than where is the justice for those who have suffered at the hands of evil men and women?

Thus, I have always felt there should be some form of penalty incurred on those who refused God's love - and in sharing that love in this life - with others. Additionally, though I no longer consider heaven or hell a spiritual destination I still am tempted to wonder about the theologoumenon teaching annihilation of body and soul of those who continued in refusing Christ.

But these were yesteryear's struggles as I've written about in the early years of this website. With process theology I find I may look at Christian Universalism, heaven, hell, annihilation, good and evil from yet another perspective.

I

Christian Universalism: Pros and Cons

Pros of Christian Universalism

Emphasis on God's love and mercy: Universalists highlight God's character as fundamentally loving and merciful, suggesting that a benevolent God would not consign anyone to eternal suffering.

Hope and comfort: This doctrine offers hope that all loved ones, regardless of their earthly faith, will ultimately be saved and reunited with God, providing emotional comfort for many believers.

Motivation for evangelism based on love, not fear: Universalism can motivate evangelism by emphasizing God's universal love and grace, rather than focusing on the fear of an eternal hell.

Provides answers to the problem of evil and hell: Universalism can offer theological answers to the questions of how a loving God can allow for evil and suffering, by suggesting a path for everyone to eventually be restored to God.

Biblical support: Proponents point to certain biblical passages like Romans 5:18, 11:32, Colossians 1:20, and 1 Timothy 2:3-4 as supporting the idea of universal salvation.

Historical precedent: Christian universalism was held by some in the early church, notably Origen.

Cons of Christian Universalism

Contradiction of traditional biblical interpretation: Many critics argue that universalism contradicts passages emphasizing eternal punishment and the necessity of faith in Christ for salvation, citing verses like Matthew 25:46, John 3:36, and Revelation 20:15.

Undermines the seriousness of sin and God's justice: Critics suggest that universalism may minimize the gravity of sin and the need for repentance, undermining the concept of divine judgment.

May diminish the urgency of evangelism: If all are eventually saved, some argue it lessens the urgency of sharing the Gospel and the importance of individual conversion in this life.

Potential for moral complacency: Some critics worry that the belief in universal salvation could lead to a less urgent pursuit of holiness and righteous living.

Impact on core Christian doctrines: Embracing universalism can lead to a re-evaluation of other key Christian beliefs, such as the nature of hell, the role of free will, and even the atonement of Christ.

Reinterpretation of scripture: Critics contend that universalists often selectively interpret or reinterpret biblical passages to fit their theological framework, rather than accepting the clear meaning of the texts. [I find this a moving argument fitting the background of the arguer]

NOTE

It is important to note that discussions surrounding Christian universalism involve diverse interpretations of scripture and varying theological viewpoints within Christianity

II.

What is the Process version of Universalism?

• Universalism is the belief that all beings will ultimately be saved. It has long been debated in theological circles.

• Some affirm it as a guaranteed outcome, citing God’s sovereignty and love as ensuring universal reconciliation.

• Process theology offers another perspective.

• Rather than asserting inevitability, it grounds its vision in divine relationality, persuasive love, and the open-ended freedom of all creatures.

• What follows is a very short expression of process-based universalism and a brief engagement with classical interpretations that insist on guaranteed outcomes.

1

Process-based universalism (short version)

All things are in process, and God's loving presence works within all processes to guide creation toward healing, wholeness, and harmony. Ultimately, no one is ever finally cut off from God's lure toward love.

BUT... it is a hope - not a guarantee - that all beings will eventually respond to the divine call, because love never forces but always invites.

2

How does Process Theology Differ from Guaranteed Universalism?

Process theology differs from guaranteed universalism in this key way:

Process universalism is hopeful - but not certain - because it honors freedom. Love cannot guarantee every being will respond - that is, Love can only lure, call, beckon the wayward to come.

A guaranteed outcome would violate the very relational, open-ended nature of process.

In short:

• Classical universalism: All will be saved — inevitably.

• Process universalism: All can be saved — hopefully.

3

What does this imply re living vs death?

In life, every moment is an invitation to grow in love, truth, and beauty.

In death, the process continues - God still lures the soul toward healing and wholeness.

But:

Freedom never ends, not even in death. Love may still be refused. And yet, the divine invitation never ceases.

Thus, hope endures, but not through force—only through unrelenting, patient love.

4

Question: Could one say the following...

"A guaranteed outcome gives everyone freedom while also recognizing that everyone will freely be transformed into the revelation that God is their origin and home because that’s why they were created. It is the telos of the universe and every created being. I believe scripture that every knee will eventually bow and every tongue acclaim Christ’s Lordship."

Answer

No.

This view affirms a beautiful telos - but process theology would gently challenge the logic. If transformation is guaranteed, freedom becomes illusion. True love honors the possibility of refusal, even if we hope none will choose it.

“Every knee will bow” can be read as poetic hope, not mechanistic certainty. In process thought, God’s love is persuasive, not coercive - and persuasion allows for real risk, real freedom, and real hope.

Conclusion

• Process-based universalism affirms that God’s love is endlessly active, luring all beings toward their fullest becoming.

• It shares the hope of universal reconciliation - but refuses to make it a certainty that overrides freedom.

• This open-ended vision of process theology preserves the integrity of love along with the corporeal (freewill) agency of all creation.

• In such a universe, salvation is not an imposition but a co-created journey of grace between God and creation.

Appendix

 By the way, the painter mentioned at the outset was Claude Monet:

Claude Monet is well-known for painting the same subjects multiple times, particularly in series. He focused on capturing the changing effects of light and atmosphere on his chosen subjects, such as haystacks, Rouen Cathedral, and water lilies.

Monet's series of paintings on the same subject, like the Haystacks series, Rouen Cathedral series, or Water Lilies series, demonstrate his dedication to capturing subtle variations in light and mood across different times of day and seasons. He would set up multiple canvases and work on them simultaneously, switching between them as the light changed.

Other artists, like Rembrandt and Van Gogh, also created multiple versions of the same subject, but Monet's series are particularly notable for their systematic exploration of a single subject under varying conditions.