Pluralism Flashcards
exclusivism, point 1
PLURALISM ESSAY
- Although respectful of other religions, they only “often reflect a ray of the Truth” as they lack the necessary controlling beliefs e.g. sola christus, fides ex auditu
- Exclusivist attitudes often associated with Calvin and Luther, and their strong adherence to humans being wholly corrupt due to the Fall, and unable to receive salvation independently – NEED God’s grace and acceptance of Jesus and Son of God
barth counter to exclusivism, 1
Barth (an exclusivist) puts emphasis on the ultimate unknowable mystery of God leads to theological agnosticism and incoherency; seems paradoxical to argue RAE offers the truth when it is based upon the belief that humanity is fallen, thus suggesting we are unable to reach full truth of God anyway
salvation of the elect defence of exclusivism against barth, 1
- As humanity is sinful, it is only those who hear the gospel (fides ex auditu) and respond (the elect) that can be saved – those who do not have the opportunity are undeserved anyway
- God demonstrates his selfless, undeserved act of love through offering salvation to the elect through Jesus’s redemption for our sins on the cross – although we are fallen, some are still given the chance to reach the Beatific Vision
- “There is salvation in no one else (Acts 4:12)
john hick conclusive criticism of salvation of the elect, 1
- Christian exclusivism can be argued to be internally coherent – IF Jesus is God incarnate, then it would make sense to claim that Christianity has the truth about God. However, this is based on a rather large, un-provable (unlikely) assumption – that Jesus was genuinely the Son of God. John Hick argues that Jesus never claimed to be the Son of God and the title was used in an honourific sense to make the point that Jesus acted in a God-like way. Instead, Jesus should be seen as a “gift to the world” as a teacher of wisdom, and not a source of exclusive truth about God.
- By taking a Christocentric approach, exclusivists not only overlook the idea of a loving God who would want all the to be saved, but also cause practical issues in 21st century multi-faith societies where people hold a variety of beliefs due to gloablisation – intellectually ignorant and pose threat of religious conflict and intolerance.
pluralism kant, bultmann + wittgenstein, 2
- Kant’s epistemology can be used to illustrate his argument – due to differences in culture or situation, the Noumena of the divine (the Real) is experienced through different Phenomena (religions) each religion holds equally valid interpretations of the truth, illustrated by Wittgenstein’s duck-rabbit picture (Wittgenstein’s language games – value and meaning of words is subjective to the game in which they are played; all religions have different, equally meaningful games)
- Copernican revolution must take place to shift theology away from a Christological bias, based on dmythologisation of the Christian narrative – traced back to 20th century New Testament scholar Rudolf Bultmann, Gospels contain essential truths expressed through myths
- Jesus is not unique in Hick’s eyes and thus the arguments for Christ as the only path to salvation go unwarranted. ELEPHANT EXAMPLE
conservative christians criticism of pluralism, 2
relativizes Christian beliefs, undermines what religious people think themselves.
paul knitter conclusive defence of pluralism against conservatives, 2
- Paul Knitter believes all religions have the same soteriological aim of liberating humans from suffering, injustice, intolerance and falsehood; religions are ‘soteriocentric’ and not Reality-centred. ETP is inspired by liberation theology and believes the primary purpose of a religious community is praxis – action against injustice.
- We should not be denying or forgetting about different religious beliefs, but instead we should recognise differences between them which can lead to creative and fruitful dialogue. Dialogue will enhance and develop each religions’ distinctive interpretation of reality – all that is required is that different religions are open to new interpretations and share their common desire for a better world.
Karl rainier, inclusivist, 3
- “God our saviour… wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy)
- Karl Rahner, in “Theological Investigations”, through his concept of structural inclusivism, has argued that “a non-Christian religion can be recognised as a lawful religion” if the religion’s structures develop an openness to God’s grace i.e. through encouraging moral behaviour
- Judgement based on action not belief – Sheep and the Goats
- Rahner develops Aquinas’ notion of the votum ecclesia – by wanting grace through following another religion you can receive God’s grace.
d’costa criticism of rahner inclusivity, 3
• Undermines fundamental controlling beliefs such as fides ex auditu and extra ecclesiam nulla salus D’Costa argues a central part of being a Christian is being able to repent sins and seek forgiveness by responding to the Gospel via the Church. How could someone implicitly confess their sins and receive God’s grace if they do not identify as Christian or go to Church.
rahner defence against d’costa
• Rahner adheres to the “Solus Chritus” principle, arguing that it was Jesus’ atonement that allows people to be saved through grace, yet realises that other religions can mediate God’s grace (as outlined in the 1995 CoE Doctrine, “Mystery of Salvation”)
inclusivity collapses into exclusivism, conclusive, 3
- Rahner’s inclusivism is patronising towards other religions, as it suggests only Christ is the truth. Equally, other religions are not respected on their own merits – people must adhere to the teachings and values of Christ.
- Gavin D’Costa, in “Christianity and World Religions” offers a more convincing alternative to inclusivism by arguing that seeing Christ as the only path to salvation (Christomonism) is misleading and ignores the role of the Holy Spirit. If a successful inclusivist doctrine is to be formed, one must look past the figure of Christ alone, to the Holy Spirit within the Trinity. The Holy Spirit may well reveal itself through other means and so other religions may possess truths Christianity can learn from
- Avoids problems wit Rahner’s “anonymous Christianity” and encourages inter-faith dialogue.
