THE PASTORSHIP OF FEAR, FAITHLESSNESS AND THE RETURN OF CHRISTIAN UNIVERSALISM IN 21ST CENTURY EUROPE: AN ANALYSIS OF NEW POLITICO-RELIGIOUS DYNAMICS

This article explores the contemporary resurgence of Christian Universalism in Europe, a doctrine historically marginalized in European theology but revitalized through transatlantic influence, particularly from the American religious context. Drawing on the development of universalist thought in th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal for the study of religions and ideologies Vol. 24; no. 71; p. 3
Main Author Lazar, Alexandru
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published The Academic Society for the Research of Religions and Ideologies (SACRI) 22.06.2025
Subjects
Analysis
Bible and literature
Bible as literature
Biblical hermeneutics
Christianity
Church and state
Democratization
Religious aspects
United States
United Kingdom
Western Europe
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Summary:This article explores the contemporary resurgence of Christian Universalism in Europe, a doctrine historically marginalized in European theology but revitalized through transatlantic influence, particularly from the American religious context. Drawing on the development of universalist thought in the United States - where it gained traction amid growing disillusionment with traditional doctrines of eternal damnation, the democratization of biblical interpretation, and an increasing emphasis on inclusivity and reconciliation - the study investigates how these theological currents are reshaping European Christianity. Three central themes structure the analysis: (1) the impact of transatlantic influences and the American evolution of Christian universalism from the late 20th century onward; (2) the rise of a "pastorship of fear" in Europe, characterized by apocalyptic rhetoric, moral anxiety, and civilizational pessimism; and (3) the erosion of traditional eschatological doctrines and the parallel ascent of universalist theology, with a particular focus on the Catholic Church's shifting stance on LGBTQ+ inclusion and its implications for church - state dynamics. By situating these developments within broader sociopolitical and religious transformations, the article argues that Christian universalism is not merely a revived theological position, but a marker of a new religious epoch shaped by contemporary existential uncertainty, societal fragmentation, and a renewed yearning for universal salvation. Key words: Christian Universalism, Transatlantic Influences, American Christianity, European Christianity.
ISSN:1583-0039
1583-0039