Universalism - Hope and Heresy
Growing up in a Univeralist Church in Mississippi is unusual. I never knew that as I grew up. I knew we had different beliefs, but I had never heard it called heresy.
I learned everyone was saved. Or as my grandmother put it, "Saved from what?"
In church, the tune we sang was "Faith of Our Fathers." Now, when I hear "Onward Christian Soldiers", I think that's to the tune of "Faith of Our Fathers."
I learned that you apply reason to the Bible just like any other book.
And just like the joke, Universalists believe God is too good to condemn people to everlasting torment. Later in life, I find that is called heresy by some belevers.
I learned everyone was saved. Or as my grandmother put it, "Saved from what?"
In church, the tune we sang was "Faith of Our Fathers." Now, when I hear "Onward Christian Soldiers", I think that's to the tune of "Faith of Our Fathers."
I learned that you apply reason to the Bible just like any other book.
And just like the joke, Universalists believe God is too good to condemn people to everlasting torment. Later in life, I find that is called heresy by some belevers.
Leonard Prater
Leonard Prater was my minister growing up in Union community in Jones county, Mississippi. This is the church, Burruss Memorial Universalist Church.Mr. Prater was always ready to help people. He organized a Bible school for our church and for Our Home Universalist Church, also in Jones county. He set up the Bible school partly because all the traditional churches had Bible school in the summer.
He is remembered for his love and kind acts. One woman, not in the congregation, took care of her bed ridden husband. Rev. Prater would regularly come by their home. He would split and stack firewood on her porch because she had trouble carrying the wood. He always seemed to know when someone needed help.
Leonard Prater is discussed another story that is new to me.
UniversalistChurch.net
This is a great site. Here you find many books on Universalism that are available for download. You can put together your own Uinversalist library.
The Universalist Church was one of ten largest in the mid 19th century. You might get an idea of why from the passion of some of these books.
The Universalist Church was one of ten largest in the mid 19th century. You might get an idea of why from the passion of some of these books.
- Works on Unversalism
- To learn more about Universalists, this is the site to check.
Boy In The Bands
Blog by Scott Wells
I met Scott Wells in Altanta. Scott gives really interesting thoughtful sermons. He will make you think. Scott is a Christian Universalist well worth reading.
Scott is responsible the UniveralistChurch.net site.
His blog is always interesting and thought provoking.
Scott is responsible the UniveralistChurch.net site.
His blog is always interesting and thought provoking.
Universalist Herald
Univeralist publication since 1847
The Univeralist Herald is one of the oldest publications of Universalism. My g-g-g-grandfather was a subscriber in the 1860's.Many interesting links and very interesting articles.
Great Stuff on Amazon
The Universalist Movement in America, 1770-1880 (Religion in America)
Amazon Price: $85.00 (as of 12/30/2009) 
Voice to Universalists
Amazon Price: $23.52 (as of 12/30/2009)
The Martyr to liberty: three sermons preached in the First Universalist Church, Philadelphia, Sunday, April 16th, Wednesday, April 19th, and Thursday, June 1st
Amazon Price: $11.99 (as of 12/30/2009)
The Universalist Church of America,: A short history
A history of the Universalists by Clinton Lee Scott, a well known Universalist minister.
Amazon Price: (as of 12/30/2009)
The Evangelical Universalist
For a modern day defense of Universal Salvation, try this book. You could descibe it as a Christian Universalist position. Interesting!
Amazon Price: $21.60 (as of 12/30/2009)
Universalist Books
These are books that can be downloaded
- Sermons 1832
- Sermons at the Universalist convention.
- John Crenshaw Burruss on Universalism
- John Burruss was the minister that Burrus Memorial Universalist was named after.
- Biography of Hosea Ballou
- Written by his son, Maturin.
- Women of the Century (1883)
- Important Universalist women.
- Universalism in America
- History of the Universalists.
Sometimes a Blog mentions Universalism
- Sermon Topic, January 3, 2010 (11:15)
- A Welcoming, Worshiping, Witnessing Community. Home · Visitors · About Us · Minister · Worship · Faith Development · Governance · Social Justice · calendar. Williamsburg Unitarian Universalists header image 2. Williamsburg UUs ...
by RalphK
I was brought up in the Burruss Memorial Universalist Church in the Union community in the Free State of Jones. The area also known as Jones County,... (more)
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