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Joy Beyond All Worlds: Universal Salvation, George MacDonald, and J.R.R. Tolkien
‘Joy Beyond All Worlds’ gathers Alvin F. Kimel Jr.’s reflections on the greater hope of the the unconditional grace of the Holy Trinity, the destiny of creation in Christ, and the final triumph of divine love. Drawing on Scripture, the Church Fathers, George MacDonald, David Bentley Hart, and J. R. R. Tolkien, Kimel argues that Christian hope must be measured by the boundless goodness of God.
268 pages, Paperback
Published April 21, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 22, 2026
There were many beautiful meditations and thoughts in this book and yet even still I couldn’t sympathize with much of them.
June 17, 2026
Do you despair for your life and soul? Read this book. Do you take any satisfaction at the thought of the wicked in neverending torment and would like to keep it that way? Do not read this book.
I have spent the last year devouring every book on apokatastasis/universalism/restorations/ultimate reconciliation - and whatever else we might name the doctrine that the Good God who says he will reconcile all to himself, will actually do so. I still have a few to read, however I have read enough of them to have come to think of Fr. Alvin Kimmel's two works "Destined for Joy" and "Joy Beyond All Worlds" as the must read "companion to apokatastasis" books.
Of course, they do not read like "companion" literature, however I can think of no better term as these essays truly accompany the reader through much of the subject matter and important questions pertinent to this most important of questions - how good is the Good News after all?
The rubber hits the road with Fr. Kimmel in these two titles, which I recommend reading together. Having said that, Joy Beyond All Worlds can certainly be read on its own.
The additional essays on George Macdonald and Tolkien's work fits in very well with the preceeding essays. As I recall one of the blurbs vey accurately states, I suspect enjoyed those essays even more than I would have normally, having read them following the apokatastasis essays forming the first part.
An overall great read and highly recommended. Thank you Fr. Kimmel!
I have spent the last year devouring every book on apokatastasis/universalism/restorations/ultimate reconciliation - and whatever else we might name the doctrine that the Good God who says he will reconcile all to himself, will actually do so. I still have a few to read, however I have read enough of them to have come to think of Fr. Alvin Kimmel's two works "Destined for Joy" and "Joy Beyond All Worlds" as the must read "companion to apokatastasis" books.
Of course, they do not read like "companion" literature, however I can think of no better term as these essays truly accompany the reader through much of the subject matter and important questions pertinent to this most important of questions - how good is the Good News after all?
The rubber hits the road with Fr. Kimmel in these two titles, which I recommend reading together. Having said that, Joy Beyond All Worlds can certainly be read on its own.
The additional essays on George Macdonald and Tolkien's work fits in very well with the preceeding essays. As I recall one of the blurbs vey accurately states, I suspect enjoyed those essays even more than I would have normally, having read them following the apokatastasis essays forming the first part.
An overall great read and highly recommended. Thank you Fr. Kimmel!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews