Hi Dick
I think you’re right about Dr Johnson. I recall reading how he brooded about hell, and the possibility that he might end up there. But as Matt says, I’m sure he nursed at least some hope that Universalism was true. And let’s be honest, shouldn’t every Christian do likewise? Isn’t it our express duty to desire and pray for the salvation of all people? So in that sense the good doctor probably was a hopeful Universalist.
As you guys probably know, cynic that I am, not only do I think far too many Christians don’t do this, but I think some - perhaps even a lot - actually desire the exact opposite. This is explicit in the misanthropic ravings of some of the most egregious Calvinist / Augustinian theologians of yesteryear (eg Tertullian, a sadist to make Polpot weep, or Jonathan Edwards, had all the compassion for helpless sinners of a block of concrete; a horrible, spiteful man.
I guess where I stand on this is that any Christian worthy of the name is actually a hopeful Universalist - a Universalist lite, as it were. So for me, the only ‘brand’ of Universalism proper is dogmatic, full fat Universalism (although I label myself a hopeful dogmatic (Arminian) Universalist because I hope that God exists, but I’m sure, I’m utterly dogmatic about the fact that if He does exist, He will indeed save all of us - eventually (that’s where the Arminian bit comes in).
P&L
Iohnny