One of the most enduring controversies surrounding the beliefs of George MacDonald for 150 years has been the question: Was George MacDonald a universalist? Though his own books contain hints of his theological perspectives on hell, the purpose of fire, the atonement, and everlasting punishment, MacDonald never clearly and concisely stated his doctrinal positions unambiguously and without room for misunderstanding. The controversy has therefore raged about what exactly MacDonald believed. MacDonald biographer, redactor, and publisher Michael Phillips at last tackles the "great hell debate" head on. With numerous quotes from MacDonald’s writings, amplified, interpreted, and understandably explained by his own insights and extensive knowledge of MacDonald’s work, Phillips blows the lid off the debate with a clear illumination of the full scope of MacDonald’s afterlife vision. This is surely one of the most significant studies of MacDonald’s theological perspectives written—a must-read for all serious students of George MacDonald.

In what he considers one of his most significant contributions to the legacy of George MacDonald, Michael Phillips here presents the complete panorama of George MacDonald’s four books of sermons in a single volume. Climaxing a forty-year career making the writings of MacDonald accessible and understandable to the full spectrum of the Christian public—resulting in the publication of over 80 new editions of MacDonald’s books—Phillips sets this volume apart from all others, not only as his most ambitious, but perhaps his most important. Presenting 20 of MacDonald’s most influential sermons in their full original format, accompanied by his own edited and more understandable copy, Phillips highlights each entry with a concise "Central Thesis," then adds an insightful introduction that illuminates the significant theological ground plowed by MacDonald’s pen that, Phillips believes, is destined in time to change how Christendom perceives the underpinings of its faith. What emerges is not only MacDonald’s wisdom, but Phillips’ own as he shrewdly and perceptively distills what he calls MacDonald’s "transformational theology of the Christian faith." Added to the 20 complete sermons are condensed versions of the remaining 29—each again with a helpful "Central Thesis"—enabling the reader to mine the ore without laboring through dozens of pages of dense and incomprehensibly obscure word-thickets. The result is a massive tome of over 300,000 words comprising all 49 of George MacDonald’s sermons. It is a volume of incomparable value in understanding the Scotsman’s theological foundations.