This is a welcome addition to the literature on hell and universalism that has blossomed in the past decade or two. One of the leading lights in the current defence of universalism is the American philosopher, Thomas Talbott. In this volume he sets forth his case for universalism based, as he sees it, upon a biblical argument. His views are interesting and careful. However, the responses that follow, from biblical theologians, I. Howard Marshall and Thomas Johnson, systematic theologians, Daniel Strange and John Sanders and philosophers Eric Reitan and Jerry L. Walls are not ringing endorsements of Talbott’s thesis (although Reitan is a universalist of sorts). Nor are they entirely agreed amongst themselves as to what the weaknesses of the case are. The respondents represent a variety of theological views, including Calvinists, Wesleyan and Openness theism. This pluralism of responding evangelical opinion might appear to be a vice rather than a virtue. I, however, beg to differ. The strength of this volume is that it brings together many different evangelical voices on this issue in one place. There is a real attempt to engage with the arguments for universalism that Talbott offers and recognition of the complexities involved in issues of the scope of salvation. This is surely a worthwhile enterprise.

Alongside the theological and philosophical treatments of the issues are several helpful historical essays that situate the argument in the Christian tradition. Morwena Ludlow, who has recently written a monograph on universalism, tackles the history of the doctrine. David Hilborn and Don Horrocks deal with universalistic tendencies in Evangelicalism. This is a particularly interesting essay, since it covers those within historic evangelicalism who have been sympathetic to universalism.

The question of the scope of salvation continues to be a thorny issue for Christians who take the Bible seriously. For most Evangelicals, universalism is not an option. Scripture is plain that not all human beings will be saved; some will be finally damned to hell. This, despite the case that Talbott makes, is the teaching of Scripture. (See, for example, Marshall’s masterful essay in this volume.) However, what Talbott and others in this symposium show is that universalism is not a heresy committed by woolly liberals who have departed from biblical truth. There are serious Christians wrestling with these problems, often in a biblically informed and careful fashion. These are important, even central, issues to do with salvation. It behoves the Christian Church to think these things through with clarity, avoiding the obscurity with which some modern theologians have cloaked their discussions. Happily, this volume of essays does that. It presents the issues in a robust, sophisticated, but intelligible and clear fashion, and leaves the reader to make up his or her own mind.

The value of this book is significantly enhanced by two factors. First, there is an accompanying website, where people can interact with the issues it raises. Second, there is a very comprehensive bibliography. Those doing research in the area will find this most helpful. Sadly, however, there is no accompanying index.