The Pastorship of Fear, Faithlessness and the Return of Christian Universalism in 21st Century Europe: An Analysis of New Politico-Religious Dynamics

Abstract

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 20^th 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.