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Pluralism and theology - Coggle Diagram
Pluralism and theology
Pluralism
Arguments for
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John 3:16-18 ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life’.
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Non-Christians
There are many examples of people who have dedicated, even sacrificed, their lives for moral causes
Many of these people may not be Christian and it would be unfair for these people to be refused salvation
Faith and goodness
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Abraham is considered righteous because of his willingness to sacrifice his son for God based on faith and trust in God
Inclusivism
Inclusivism
There is the possibility of salvation for non-Christians but Christianity is the best route to achieve salvation
‘I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth’ (Job 19:25)
Salvation after death
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These inclusivists argue that God’s omnibenevolence means that humans have the chance to repent and turn to him after death
'Christian work'
Other inclusivists argue that non-Christians might call Christ by other names or be doing the work of Christ without realising it
For example, Muslims give money to the poor as part of zakah, the 3rd pillar of their faith. They could be doing the work of Christ in helping the needy without realising
Exclusivism
Meaning
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In Christianity, exclusivism is the view that people must have explicit faith in Jesus to be saved
For exclusivists, Jesus Christ brought salvation to the world via the sacrificial death on the cross and the Resurrection
‘Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”’ (John 14:6)
Narrow exclusivism
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Augustine believes that Christians are subject to the grace of God and God will choose which Christians go to heaven
Hendrik Kraemer
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A religion has to accept the salvation offered through Christ or choose not to
There is no middle ground
Broad exclusivism
Argue that all Christians who accept Christ are saved regardless of their style of worship, denomination or practice
Christian beliefs
Hick's view
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If we view all Christianity truth claims as myth, the beliefs of Christianity are undermined
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Jesus
Theological pluralism rejects the central message of Christianity that Jesus Christ came to remove sin and save humanity
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Relationship with God
The pluralist position forces believers to focus on beliefs which are central to a relationship with God