Grace Abounds

“In this book Hunter Coates explains further why [universalism] belongs to the genuine, deep structure of orthodoxy by placing it in clear relation to the Bible, the doctrine of God, the philosophies of free will, and the meaning of existence.” 


—John Milbank, Anglo-Catholic theologian, author of more than fifteen books, including Being Reconciled: Ontology and Pardon and The Politics of Virtue: Post-Liberalism and the Human Future





“Hunter Coates has written a splendid book on the greater hope. In Grace Abounds he covers all the important biblical, historical, and theological bases. Coates’s book is a most welcome addition to the growing literature on the doctrine of universal salvation. I recommend it enthusiastically, without reservation.”


—Aidan Kimel, Orthodox priest, author of Destined for Joy: The Gospel of Universal Salvation





“If my brother’s book—David Bentley Hart’s That All Shall Be Saved—was a sustained polemic, Coates’s book supplies a wealth of study that complements and fills out the former.” 


—Addison Hodges Hart, retired Catholic priest, author of The Letter of James: Pastoral Commentary and Silent Rosary: A Contemplative, Exegetical, and Iconographic Tour Through the Mysteries





“This book, in important ways, reinvigorates the distinctively Christ centered universalist hope in the early centuries of the church.”


—David Artman, pastor, author of Grace Saves All: The Necessity of Christian Universalism








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“Hunter Coates has written a splendid book on the greater hope. In Grace Abounds he covers all the important biblical, historical, and theological bases. Coates’s book is a most welcome addition to the growing literature on the doctrine of universal salvation. I recommend it enthusiastically, without reservation.”


—Aidan Kimel, Orthodox priest, author of Destined for Joy: The Gospel of Universal Salvation





“With this book, Hunter Coates has provided an impressive theological, philosophical, and exegetical defense of the universalist hope. If my brother’s book—David Bentley Hart’s That All Shall Be Saved—was a sustained polemic, Coates’s book supplies a wealth of study that complements and fills out the former. Convinced universalists will find here a substantial amount of material for encouragement, while those who would argue for a contrary position will likewise benefit from carefully engaging this volume. Coates’s research will be especially of interest to studious Orthodox readers, but it should also be welcomed by theologically literate Catholics and Protestants. Altogether, this is a valuable addition to the growing body of literature on the subject.”


—Addison Hodges Hart, retired Catholic priest, author of The Letter of James: A Pastoral Commentary and Silent Rosary: A Contemplative, Exegetical, and Iconographic Tour Through the Mysteries





“Unqualified universalism is crucial to an acceptable future Christianity that can command both intellectual and popular assent. In this book Hunter Coates explains further why it belongs to the genuine, deep structure of orthodoxy by placing it in clear relation to the Bible, the doctrine of God, the philosophies of free will and the meaning of existence. His case is overwhelmingly accessible and persuasive.”


—John Milbank, Anglo-Catholic theologian, author of more than fifteen books, including Being Reconciled: Ontology and Pardon and The Politics of Virtue: Post-Liberalism and the Human Future





“With a down-to-earth and readable voice, Hunter Coates uses careful criteria and a systematic approach to bring critical new points forward in defense of universal salvation. I am especially delighted to see an author who engages with challenging related topics such as the concept of a meta-historical human fall, Constantinople II, and the Harrowing of Hades.”


—Jesse Hake, director of ClassicalU, owner of Orthodox theology blog Copious Flowers





“Hunter Coates is a scholarly Christian who has thought deeply about all the issues raised in the modern debate about Christianity and Universal Salvation. The argument presented here moves beyond mere hopeful universalism to a definite universalism which confidently anticipates a glorious progression of all humanity into the ever-expanding vastness of God’s love. This book, in important ways, reinvigorates the distinctively Christ centered universalist hope in the early centuries of the church.”


—David Artman, pastor, author of Grace Saves All: The Necessity of Christian Universalism





“Hunter Coates’ Grace Abounds is a transformative and deeply moving work that redefines how we understand salvation and reconciliation. With scholarly depth and spiritual insight, Coates dismantles misconceptions about universalism, offering a vision of divine love that extends to all. Grounded in the wisdom of figures like St. Isaac the Syrian and others, this work masterfully illuminates a path to ultimate reconciliation that is both compassionate, restorative and steeped in a holistic understanding of Grace. A must-read for theologians, religious scholars and philosophers.”


—Mark Gerard Murphy, Catholic-Lacanian psychoanalyst, author of The Direction of Desire: John of the Cross, Jacques Lacan and the Contemporary Understanding of Spiritual Direction