Once Loved Always Loved: The Logic of Apokatastasis
Ebook
In this book, Andrew Hronich endeavors to synthesize the many strands of orthodox doctrine into a single telos: ultimate reconciliation. While a great deal of ink has already been spilled on this subject, this book addresses ponderances previously overlooked due to a lack of ecumenical dialogue between the differing streams of Christian tradition. Ancient lights, such as Origen, Gregory of Nyssa, and Clement of Alexandria are given a voice to speak again to the masses, whilst contemporary thinkers, such as Thomas Talbott, David Bentley Hart, and Eric Reitan, are unleashed upon the unwitting world of Christian philosophy. Stagnant tradition has hindered the church from abiding by its historic motto semper reformanda, but with its ecumenical voice, this book calls on Protestants, Catholics, and Orthodox adherents alike to acknowledge apokatastasis panton, the salvation of all beings, as the orthodoxy it always has been.
“Andrew Hronich is admirably relentless in making his case, leaving no avenue of biblical, moral, and philosophical reflection unexplored, and leaving no possible objection unaddressed. This is a necessary book, especially for those whose minds and hearts are open.”
—David Bentley Hart, author of That All Shall Be Saved
“In this impressively researched and tightly reasoned work, Andrew Hronich makes a truly compelling and remarkably comprehensive biblical and philosophical case for Universalism. While Once Loved Always Loved may not convince all who believe that some people will be lost forever, I doubt they will ever read a book that does a better job of challenging this traditional perspective. I enthusiastically recommend this work to all who care about the nature of God and the fate of humans.”
—Gregory Boyd, author of Satan and the Problem of Evil
“Heartfelt yet rational, critical yet fair-minded, Andrew Hronich’s exegetical and theological contribution is a splendid, reliable, up-to-date guide through the maze of knotty issues that attend discussion of the crucial—indeed, all-important—issue of universalism.”
—Dale C. Allison Jr., author of The Resurrection of Jesus
“Entering the lists in support of Talbott, Kimel, Reitan and Kronin, and Hart—lists where I not infrequently charge in support as well—Andrew Hronich advances here with a sustained case for universalism that combines biblical and logical contentions. The result is an illuminating journey in personal, theological, and biblical terms that universalists will find clarifying and encouraging, and that the position’s opponents will find very difficult to refute. An important and deeply-lucid contribution to a critical and burgeoning locus of debate.”
—Douglas Campbell, author of Pauline Dogmatics: The Triumph of God’s Love
“As someone who has spent a good chunk of my academic career defending the doctrine of eternal hell, I am in the somewhat ironic position of hoping that what I have defended turns out to be false. Indeed, I will be delighted if universal salvation turns out to be true. This book provides a number of powerful reasons to believe that universalism is what all Christians should hope for precisely because that is what scripture teaches.”
—Jerry Walls, author of Hell: The Logic of Damnation
“Christians proclaim the gospel as the greatest story ever told. But what if this story is greater than you even dared to dream? Writing with the rigor of an analytic philosopher, the wisdom of a systematic theologian, and the prophetic zeal of a preacher, Andrew Hronich invites us to contemplate anew what it means to be Once Loved Always Loved.”
—Randal Rauser, author of Jesus Loves Canaanites
“Once Loved Always Loved is a magisterial work. Andrew Hronich has given us a book that is stunningly well-researched and compellingly presented. For years now I have longed for the apokatastasis hope for universal restoration in Christ so prominent in patristic theology to be recovered by the modern church, and Once Loved Always Loved is a mighty contribution toward that end. I am grateful for the gift Andrew Hronich has given us.”
—Brian Zahnd, lead pastor, Word of Life Church
“Andrew Hronich here gives us a detailed analysis of the arguments surrounding a distinctly Christian approach to universal reconciliation. What he demonstrates is that the final salvation of all in Christ is the best way to hold together Scripture, tradition, reason, and experience. This book is a welcome contribution to a renewed conviction among a growing number of Christians that God really will, finally, be all in all.”
—David Artman, author of Grace Saves All: The Necessity of Christian Universalism
“Once Loved Always Loved is an excellent book, rigorous in its argumentation and the clarity of its expression. Andrew Hronich’s work is without a doubt an important contribution to the debate over universalism, providing a much-needed overview and critical discussion, yet never overlooking the personal dimension and why the question is crucial to all believers.”
—David Konstan, author of The Origin of Sin: Greece and Rome, Early Judaism and Christianity
- Title: Once Loved Always Loved: The Logic of Apokatastasis
- Author: Andrew Hronich
- Publisher: Wipf and Stock
- Print Publication Date: 2023
- Logos Release Date: 2023
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Ebook
- ISBNs: 9781666756227, 9781666756210, 1666756210, 9781666756203, 1666756202, 1666756229
- Resource ID: LLS:9781666756227
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2023-06-01T10:10:57Z
Andrew Hronich is a graduate of Liberty University and is currently pursuing his Master’s at Princeton Theological Seminary. He is the author of The Way Up Came Down (2020).
Reviews
2 ratings
Manuel Becker
7/28/2023