“Does Theological Pluralism Undermine Central Christian Beliefs?” Discuss Flashcards
Yes it does undermine 1
The bible says that the only way to salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ. Evidenced in John 14:6 and John 3:16
Yes it does undermine 2
The bible is the only inspired text, excluding all other religions. Evidenced in 2 Timothy 3:16 and Karl Barth argues the bible is the Word of God written by humans who witnessed Gods revelation, who then recorded what they witnessed. Because of this, the Christian revelation overcomes all faiths
Doesn’t undermine 1
John Hick argued Christianity is christocentric, but he thought religion should be theocentric. Christianity’s truth claims need to be reinterpreted as mythical stories - stories with truth elements rather than factual ones.
This means Christian beliefs aren’t undermine because pluralism acknowledges that Christianity, like other religions look toward God.
Counter to does undermine 1 and counter objection
God is omnibenelovent, so he wants all to be saved. Evidenced in Timothy where it says God desires all to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth
Counter: though God wants all people to be saved, doesn’t mean he will save all people. The obligation for salvation in the bible has always been faith in Christ - acts 4:12. God will not arbitrarily save you against your free will, you must use it and put your faith in Christ to escape damnation.
Counter to does undermine 2 and counter objection
Hick distinguished between noumena (what a thing actually is) and the phenomena (how we individually experience it). All religions experience the noumena of the divine through different lenses/religions. Hick says that they “constitute different ways in which the same ultimate reality had impringed upon human life.”
Counter: Hick is overgeneralising about all religions being the same. Roman religions do not open up the mind to a higher divine reality. Same can be said about pagan religions and Buddhism doesn’t even believe in a higher power
Counter to doesn’t undermine 1
Jesus gave his disciples the great commission in Matthew 28. Some like Hendrick kraemer would argue that Jesus said to spread the good news and baptise all nations in the name of the Father, Son and HolySpirit, showing we must inform all other faiths that if they do not believe in the gospel message they will be doomed.
Furthermore, Christianity is unique. If doesn’t just look toward God, it directs you to put your faith in Christs death and resurrection for salvation. By pluralism, making Christianity merely theocentric and not christocentric, it unequivocally undermines their beliefs.
