That All Shall Be Saved

Heaven, Hell, and Universal Salvation

By: David Bentley Hart

Narrated by: Derek Perkins

Length: 7 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

A stunning reexamination of one of the essential tenets of Christian belief from one of the most provocative and admired writers on religion today.

The great fourth-century church father Basil of Caesarea once observed that, in his time, most Christians believed that hell was not everlasting, and that all would eventually attain salvation. But today, this view is no longer prevalent within Christian communities.

In this momentous book, David Bentley Hart makes the case that nearly two millennia of dogmatic tradition have misled readers on the crucial matter of universal salvation. On the basis of the earliest Christian writings, theological tradition, scripture, and logic, Hart argues that if God is the good creator of all, he is the savior of all, without fail. And if he is not the savior of all, the Kingdom is only a dream, and creation something considerably worse than a nightmare. But it is not so. There is no such thing as eternal damnation; all will be saved.

With great rhetorical power, wit, and emotional range, Hart offers a new perspective on one of Christianity's most important themes.

©2019 David Bentley Hart (P)2019 Tantor

Thought-provoking with excellent narration

I greatly enjoyed listening to this book, and I plan to listen to it a second time. David Bentley Hart is not an easy author to read, and his vocabulary and erudition can make a book difficult to work through. I was very impressed with the narration here by Derek Perkins. He reads expressively, even with the most challenging vocabulary and detailed philosophical arguments.

Hart's argument in this book is compelling and addresses all of the key arguments that Christian theologians have put forward for an eternal hell over the centuries. He liberally appeals to the reader's (or listener's) instinctive sense of justice and morality throughout the book, but he backs up his frequent emotional appeals with cogent, well-argued philosophical and theological reflections. At the very least, his exposition of the views of some early Christian authors and the meaning of key Greek words in the New Testament opened a new vista for me about the core Christian message. What is salvation really all about, and what does it mean for individuals and all of humanity? The way he develops this point is deeply influential for me, and it will take a while to plumb the depths of meaning therein. I highly recommend this book, and the recording is excellent.

Universal Salvation Explained

A great metaphysical and theological argument for God saving all. Highly recommended. I'm interested in reading his other works.

A hard book to listen to, and a hard one to ignore

Because of the deep nature of the theological material in this book, I think a print version is a better choice. The 30 second rewind is too much, and to give adequate study takes too much thought, too many pauses, and no way to fully absorb these controversial ideas.

Most Christians today would jump to quickly dismiss the book as claptrap. That is, unless they take the time to fully digest the logic presented. I personally thought I would immediately see through the anti-biblical beliefs of Mr Hart. Instead, I find myself wanting to discuss this with a few others. It's not easy to get past the overall logical points he makes.

There are some very angry reviews out there for this book. I fear most of them were written by people who never really tried to read the book with an open mind. It's really hard to do that when you have spent many years believing in an eternal hell for evil people.

Carefully read, Heart may shake those long-held views. But I recommend a print version of the book, so you can make marginal notes and use a big black marker over parts you don't agree with.

No highway to Hell

Stretched myself to listen and ponder as this book argued well for there not to be a Hell and that all are saved.

All shall be saved

If I didn't agree with Hart here, I would find him somewhat arrogant and off-putting. He repeatedly calls internalist belief in eternal conscious torment, logically incoherent and morally repugnant. At a different time in my life I may have thrown up my hands in frustration, though I do think Hart handles well Christian hope and the meaning of God's goodness. Hart articulates a universalist view that posits that the fires hell are less about punishment and more about purgation. He leans heavily on the Eastern Christian tradition, especially Maximus the Confessor.

My hope for all.

I enjoyed the performance. It gave me something to further my education on this subject. I only gave 4 stars to the story because I don't know if Mr. Hart is right. I will listen to it again though.

Philosophically impressive

The author expounds coherently on what many of us suspect intuitively. He is quick to lay out his doubts, but defends his innermost suspicions with scriptural writings and common sense.

Not for the faint at heart...

David Bentley Hart is brilliant and his arguments are sound and refreshing for those that have been uncomfortable with the doctrine of eternal hell.

Vital for Christians

Vital information for thinking Christians, but the vocabulary is sometimes challenging. Love is the key.

All-encompassing, good, view of God

Well, largely discussing the concept of hell and eternal, conscious torment, what author David Bentley Hart is truly doing is saving the character of the Christian God from the so-called justice,-seeking religion of Christianity that remains unequivocally attached to the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

In this book more as an excellent introduction to both ancient Christian belief that was lost in the last 500 years and a newer definition of freedom, a God of love and salvation.