The Concept of Universal Salvation Apokatastasis in the Thought of Friedrich Schleiermacher. An Outline Wojciech Szczerba Abstract The article analyzes the concept of universal salvation—apokatastasis in the thought of Friedrich Schleiermacher especially with reference to his early Speeches on Religion and the later treatise The Christian Faith. It moves from Schleiermacher’s understanding of religion per se to his soteriological and escha- tological theories. He understands the nature of religion as the feeling-intuition of the Infinite and points to a certain aspect of mystery, which religion contains. He rejects in the Speeches on Religion the anthropomorphic understanding of God and speaks of God-Universum. In the treatise Christian Faith, he reinterprets the theological concept of original sin and depravation, and points to a natural process of development of humankind from Godless-consciousness to God-consciousness. From the Protestant-reformed tradition Schleiermacher adopts the concept of predestination. However, he rejects the so called “double predestination” of sal- vation and condemnation. According to him, all people are chosen to be saved “in Christ”. This way, Schleiermacher continues the Reformed tradition, however he understands the election in universal categories. He rejects God, who chooses for salvation only some people, but accepts God-Universum, who maintains the unity of creation and leads people to perfect communion. This drives the German thinker to universalistic beliefs. In the convictions pointing to the final unity of humankind, Schleiermacher exposes his deep humanism. He assumes that it is impossible to reconcile the traditional view of eternal hell with God’s love. Divine punishment can serve as an aspect of overall paidagogia, leading to the maturing of humanity. However, it " Wojciech Szczerba, Von Hügel Institute, St Edmund’s College, University of Cambridge, Evangelical School of Theol- ogy, Wroclaw, ul. Św. Jadwigi 12, 51-253 Wrocław, Poland   w.szczerba@ewst.edu.pl B  0000-0002-4265-506X   Forum Philosophicum 26 (2021) no. 1, 99–122 Subm. 25 September 2020    Acc. 16 March 2021 ISSN 1426-1898 e-ISSN 2353-7043 DOI:10.35765/forphil.2021.2601.07