Pluralism and theology Flashcards
KEY TERM - Hick and pluralism
Influenced by the Kantian distinction between the noumenal and the phenomenal
The noumena (the truth – how the world is not interpreted through sense experience)
Phenomena (imperfect view of the world inside our minds influenced by our sense experience and culture)
all religious soteriological statements are equally doubtable as only way to experience the noumena (truth) is through the phenomena (imperfect - senses)
As the phenomena is shaped by cultures one ultimate truth (noumena) can be experienced several different ways. Can have many different starting points up a mountain but ultimately the final destination is the same. All religions are true and valid as they contain different aspects of the truth
FOR - Hick and pluralism
Compatible with Gods omnibenevolence. Belief is an accident of birth. Our relationship with the ‘ultimate reality’ (the noumena) is shaped by history and culture. God transcends this; salvation should not depend on what culture you have been raised
-Strong as being Christian should be Experiential (experiencing truths) not the dogma (belief) as humans are flawed
Ward “Diversity in religion is natural and good” because of all the different cultures it makes sense that religion is diverse.
-Helps enrichen and strengthen
AGAINST - Hick and pluralism
Inclusivist/Exclusivist: Contradicts NT (John 14) Jesus alone is the only source for salvation as he is the incarnation
Theocentric not Christocentric – reduces Christs role “no one can come to the father except through me” (John 14)
-Pluralism denounces Jesus to a mythical character which contravenes scripture and Gods word
-Salvation not possible
“They sacrifice to demons and not God” 1 Corinthians – how other religons are idolatrous and do not place God/ Christ at the centre of religion
Makes Christianity not unique
KEY TERM - Exclusivism
Only Christianity holds the truth, and only Christianity can offer salvation. The only way to be saved is being Christian
Solus Christus
FOR- Exclusivism
Supported by scripture:
“I am the way, the truth and the light” only through Jesus can be saved
-“The truth” – exclusively one truth does not suggest multiple.
“Salvation is found through no one else” (Acts 4)
-Scriptural evidence is strong as it is the word of God
Affirms the Central belief in Christ and affirms the Christian teachings of spreading the Gospel
Human being are fallen and cannot know God or earn salvation - nobody deserves to be saved, which justifies why some do not deserve to hear the Gospel
AGAINST- Exclusivism
Pluralist response: Gods omnibenevolence – many people may not have heard of Christianity – God only wants the people of the last 2000 years to be saved
Pluralist response: Undermines Gods sovereignty as could decide to reveal himself in other ways through other religions
Inclusivist response: Not brought up in a Christian country may not be exposed to Christianity – not a chance to be saved simply because of where they have been born
Mathew 25 Parable of the sheep and Goats states how God saves the “righteous” – God will judge on works not faith
KEY TERM - Universal access Exclusivism
Barth - Jesus sacrifice restored the whole of humanity, past, present and future. This switches the emphasis of God wanting to save everyone. Even if one leads a non-religious lifestyle they will have the Christian message explained to them at the moment of death/ after death: this gives everyone the opportunity to be Christian
FOR- Universal access Exclusivism
Makes sense if Christianity is right them Jesus as the son of God holds a special truth, which others do not
Respectful to others religions (allows people to seek the truth even if they are wrong as long as they accept Jesus before or after death)
Key term - Inclusivism (Rahner)
People who do not believe or have not realised the trinity can still be saved. These are called ‘Anonymous Christians’ – Many people who are moral and actions and deeds reflect Christianity but there not conscious of being Christian. As God is omnibenevolent still allows them to attain salvation outside of explicitly constituted Christianity.
FOR - Inclusivism
Those through no fault of there own have been born outside of Christianity and do not identify as Christian can be saved
-Christianity – omnibenevolent
-Universality of Christian moral principles across the world
Consistent with scripture: parable of the sheep and Goats – saved based on works not faith
-Romans 2 “for God does not show favouritism”
Open inclusivism: Christianity has a better grasp of the truth then others but can still learn
AGAINST - Inclusivism
Pluralism:
Still exclusivist as only extends to religious people. What about moral people who are atheists?
Patronising to say someone is an ‘anonymous Christian’ as a person can only be good if they are Christian
-This is paternalistic and contrary to Pauls letters as favouritism that only sees Christianity as the truth
Exclusivism: Dilutes the sola Christa principle as devalues the role of Christ alone in salvation
