Can a Christian be a universalist?

The answer to this question is very easy. Yes. A Christian can be a universalist. Universalism in itself does not make a person a non-Christian. Universalism is the teaching that all people eventually will be reconciled to God. This is not one of the doctrines taught in scripture as a requirement for salvation. The essential doctrines of Christianity have been debated for centuries. These doctrines include the physical resurrection of Jesus, salvation by grace, and that Jesus is God in flesh. With the last, many conclude that the doctrine of the Trinity is also essential. Though the doctrine of the Trinity is not explicitly stated as a requirement in God's word, it is logical to conclude that the true believer will accept the Trinity teaching. The Trinity, then, becomes a test to see if someone is in faith. However, I will admit that God casts his net further then we do and I do not believe that God will condemn all people for their lack of the proper understanding of the Trinity doctrine. On the other hand, I believe that those who openly reject it are not of God. There are many doctrines that are not essential to salvation and it is these that lead us into the differences of denominational beliefs. Where one group believes that baptism must be by immersion, another teaches that sprinkling is acceptable. One denomination says that the charismatic spiritual gifts have ceased, yet another that they continue. These types of the differences, and many others, do not affect whether or not a person is saved. They are merely differences of opinion on the non-essentials. In this, the Scriptures give us a great deal of leeway. See Romans 14. A Christian can be a universalist, but not all universalists are Christian. It is not whether you accept or deny universalism that makes you a true believer. Rather, it is faith in and acceptance of the true and living God and Savior, Jesus. We have agreement in the essential doctrines that unite all Christians and all denominations under one true God and we are allowed to have differences of opinions.