3. Assess the view that a Christian can be a theological pluralist Flashcards
1
Q
intro
A
- Theological pluralism – the view that there are many ways to salvation of which Christianity is one path.
- Significant view held by Hick – concluding all people experienced the same reality just in different ways
- He is not wrong in his thinking and ideas
2
Q
paragraph 1
A
- Pluralism in the bible – Hick understood the bible to be full of myths and you need to understand the truth behind these
- Jesus is a wisdom teacher and a liberator – nothing more eg does not need to be the son of God/ only way to salvation
- The bible is just a lens through which Christians see reality and the bible tells a story of a time with a different lens
- SUCCESSFUL
- You are able to gain truths from many aspects of life, Jesus suffering in the bible shows God’s benevolence and showing that there is purpose to the evil we see in this world
- You can still hold these beliefs and be a pluralist – many other religions hold a similar message and therefore you are all finding the same end with different routes
3
Q
paragraph 2
A
- ON THE OTHER HAND - NOT SUCCESSFUL
- You can’t be a Christian pluralist, under minds the uniqueness of the Christocentric part of Christianity
- The focus on Jesus is the main significant part of Christianity that makes it the one true way to God – Calvin the only route is solus Christus
- You can’t believe in this and the role that Jesus played as well as being a pluralist – can’t be both the way in to religion/ God and one lens into the truth
- ‘I am the way the truth and the life, no-one comes to the father but by me’
4
Q
paragraph 3
A
- HOWEVER
- Hick isn’t suggesting that these events are not important – they hold significance in the view of a Christian
- Pluralism can question Christ-events but this doesn’t make it wrong
- Hick’s pluralism does not explain why some religions are valid and others are not you hold your own view/ opinion on faith but this does not disregard any other belief so you can be a pluralist
5
Q
conclusion
A
- You can be a Christian pluralist
