pluralism and theology
exclusivism
inclusivism
pluralism
the view that only one religion offers the complete means of salvation
in christianity, this means people must have explicit faith in jesus to be saved - christ brought salvation to the world via the sacrificial death on the cross and the ressurection
'jesus answered "i am the way and the truth and the life. no one comes to the father except through me"'
hendrick kraemer - argued that religions are whole belief systems, it does not make sense to pick out beliefs and practices - there is no middle ground
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 earth, (job 19:25)
salvation possible after death
some inclusivists argue that salvation may be possible for an individual if they turn to christianity after death
non christians do christian work
other inclusivists argue that non christians might call christ by other names or be doing the woek of god without realising it
muslims give miney to the poor as part of zakah, the third pillar of their faith.
karl rahner
argued that other religions may contain partial truths. this is especially the case if the religion has a similar structure to christianity
not everyone is exposed to christianity
anonymous christians
rahner
people who are following christian beliefs and the message of christ without realising it
there are many ways to salvation through different religions, truth us not exclusive to just one religious tradition
all religions share the same goals and ideals
all religious believers are aiming to lead moral lives and understand god. any difference in beliefs and practices is the result of different culture
hicks pluralist views
omnibenevolent god would not deny salvation to an individual if they were looking to serve gof in religion other than christianity
christian theories about salvation
disagreement between religions
all religions could be wrong, but they cannot all be right
message of christianity is undermined if belief in jesus christ is not neccessary for salvation
william lane craig
middle knowledge
god has a knowledge to know if people would believe in the christian method if they have a chance to hear it
relationship between a loving god and salvation
not accepting christian message
god has made salvation available to everyoe. if people dp not wish to accept the message of christianity, then they cannot blame god for the consequences of their action
pointless christian message
if jesus died on the cross for no reason, then the messsage of christianity is pointless. there is no imperative to follow any religion if all people recieve salvation whether they believe or not
free will to follow christianity
a loving god would not force someone to be saved
human beings have to be free to decide what religion they choose to follow
will all good people achieve salvation
for
some biblical passages suggest christian faith alone is required for salvation
many passages in the bible teach that god will judge people on the basis of their actions rather than fith in god
against
original sin means that all human beings will fall short of achieving salvation through good works. the grace of god means that all those who have christian faith will be forgiven of sin
unfair on non christians
many examples of people who have dedicated, even sacrificed their lived for moral causes, but are not christizn
does pluralism undermine core chrostian beliefs
hicks view
hicks pluralist view requires christiams to take a very different understanding of the bible
if we view all christianity truth claims as a myth, the beliefs of christianity are undermined
pluralism is self contradictory
it states that there is no right view which provides the full truth of god or ultimate reality but then proceeds to argue that the pluralist view is the right view
rejects message about jesus
theological pluralism rejects the central message of christianity that jesus christ came to remove sin and save christianity
preserved omnibenevolence
click to edit