Definition
Universalism is the soteriological position that all people will ultimately be saved, without distinction. In a broad sense it is synonymous with apokatastasis, but in the corpus it is typically used as a foil or contrast term: it describes a position that trivializes judgment or overlooks God’s justice. Jones and Noordzij distance themselves from the label “universalism” while materially defending a universal salvation — their preference is restorationism.
Usage in the Corpus
Stephen Jones
Jones rejects “universalism” as a label for his own position: “I am not a universalist in the usual sense of that term.” He criticizes classical universalism for underweighting or ignoring judgment. His restorationism distinguishes itself by acknowledging that God genuinely judges and punishes — but that this judgment is corrective and finite, not eternal. [Jones, The Restoration of All Things, Ch. 2]
Cees Noordzij
Noordzij does not use “universalism” as a self-description. His apokatastasis vision is cosmic but bound to God’s holy character and the process of sanctification.
Origin
“Universalism” derives from Latin universalis (all-encompassing). As a theological term it emerged in patristic debates (Origen’s restoration vision) and was condemned as a formal position at the Second Council of Constantinople (553). In 20th-century theology it was taken up by Karl Barth (objective reconciliation of all humanity in Christ) and various liberal traditions.