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Summary Pluralism & Theology
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Pluralism & TheologyChristianity exists in a religiously plural world. In the theology of religion,
three broad perspectives are offered to address issues like truth and
salvation - exclusivism, inclusivism & pluralism.
Can there be other means of salvation if Jesus is the ‘truth’?
Can not be Any Other means of salvation - The Catholic Church
The Catholic Church believes that Christ is the only way for anyone to be
saved and so receive the beatific vision in heaven. Because Christ is
not just another holy man, this makes Christ unique. He is both God
and man, God incarnated. This is a strength because All religions
could be wrong, but they cannot all be right. This is because
Religions have significant disagreements, EG, Jews and Muslims
disagree with Christianity's assertion that Jesus is God's son. If belief in
Jesus Christ is not required for salvation, the message of Christianity
is undercut and degraded.
Exclusivists
Exclusivists argue that in order to be saved, a person must completely
believe in Jesus. Christ's self-sacrificing death on the cross and
Resurrection resulted in the salvation of all of humanity. The idea
that Christianity is the sole path to salvation is supported by biblical
passages. According to John, "Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth,
and the life." No one comes to the Father except through me."'
According to Kraemer, religions are complete belief systems. Picking
out practices and ideas we believe to be true does not make sense.
Either a religion accepts or rejects the salvation made available via
Christ. There is no room for compromise.
INCLUSIVISTS
Inclusivists argue that Christianity is the best route to achieve salvation.
Inclusivists might support their belief by using texts such as ‘I know that
my redeemer lives and that in the end, he will stand on the earth’
Rahner argued that other religions may contain partial truths. Rahner
argued that many people are not exposed to the message of Christianity.
, Rahner coined the term ‘anonymous’ Christians’ for people who are
following Christian beliefs and the message of Christ without actually
realising it. Faithful followers of other faiths can be saved through an
implicit desire to be with Christ.
Against - Can be Other means of Salvation
Pluralist counter-argument
Pluralists believe that there are several paths to salvation through
various religions. Truth is not limited to a single religious system.
This is due to the fact that all faiths have the same goals and values.
All religious believers want to live virtuous lives and understand God, the
divine or ultimate reality. They argue that Christ is "a truth" rather than
"the truth." A God who is all-loving cannot be a God who only saves
those who accept his word. The opportunity to hear the Christian
message varies from person to person. Punishing those who cannot
access it is unjust. The Bible states that the Lord is asking people to
“Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God'
Hick's pluralist views
Hick argues that salvation is dependent on God rather than on Jesus.
He claims that we must shift Christianity from a Christocentric to a
Theocentric perspective. This means that Christianity must reject the
notion that redemption can be obtained alone via Christ. Religion,
according to Hick, is flawed and limited. As a result, Christian truth
claims concerning Jesus must be seen as myths rather than actual
truth assertions. As a result, he rejects the notion that Christ was
the incarnation of God and so unique. According to Hick, Jesus was
just a man who was genuinely inspired by God, but he was no more
important than other great religious leaders such as Muhammad and
Buddha.
Does Pluralism Undermine Core Christian Beliefs?
Undermines Xian Beleifs
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