pluralism and theology Flashcards
Hick
-multicultural life BHAM
-genuine worship in every religion, not one superior
- religious experience part of all religions, all exp same reality in a diff way
-cultural differences are responsible for the different lenses in which we exp the real
-all religions produce equally good followers, christianity except one of many valid religions society would be harmonious.
-in doing so should put God at centre rather than christ
-christian claim interp mythologically not literal because God is far greater than what we can describe
-peace if all religions accept we are all equally valid
pluralism in the bible:
-bible myth not sole scripture authority
-essential truth gospels; wisdom, liberator and more than the son of God
-Agape central
-God beyond understanding can’t describe reality
phenomenal way world appears, religions attempt understand God, filter God accordance culture, context and upbringing
Noumenal way work acc is, God part of this work we can’t understand minds finite
Pannikar
historical JC= messiah figure of the jews- particular individual in history
issues; why emphasise JC one many saviours/ wisdom teachers
not fit Indian context no messiah all children of God
Transhistorical JC= Can have an intimate relationship with, consumed in Eucharist.
Christophany = direct impact of God into consciousness, christ is the symbol of cosmotheandricism - matter, divine and human
cosmotheandric reality all religions exp what christians call christ
this reality points to and participates in something beyond itself
Reduce christ to a symbol over simplifies religon
theology and pluralism A03 strengths
-answers what ab ppl who lived before christ or never heard
- christian beliefs christocentric should be theocentric
-allows dialogue between religions accept all valid society harmonious
-all re and miracles valid other religons
-2000 years human centred mistakes, christians accept God is greater than human institutes
theology and pluralism A03 weaknesses
-Bible ‘I am the way the truth and the life’- exclusivism
-christocentric acts 4:12 = ; salvation is to be found through him alone, in all the word there is no one else whom God has given who can save us from sin”
-JC sacrifice crucial christian belief , disregard importance disregard entire faith, more important idea judgement
-Bible everyone invited eternity, some choose not accept omnibenevelonce v free will
christian doctrine states extra ecclesia null salus - outside the church there is no salvation
-Hick: relies Kant, both oversimplify JC
Exclusivism
only christianity hold truth and can offer salvation- souls Christus = only thru christ
Calvin only elect can be saved Gods grace- corrupt, fallen human nature no one deserves. Jc sacrifice forgiven thru grace
John 14:6 - I am the way the truth and the life
1 Tim 2:3-6 JC sole mediator God and humans , thru whom be saved
Roman Catholic - no salvation outside church - faith christ/ baptism. religions reflect rays of truth
critic exclusivism
- Gods omnibenvolence salvation only some - cruel hell morally upright B4 jc
-D’costa - God only known thru jc IGNORE TRINITY BINITARIAN
-modern multicultural world no positive way engage other religions promotes imperialistic attitudes and intolerance. constructive lang impossible.
inclusivism
-chrsitianity one true faith possible for non christians to be saved
-all spiritual aspect makes search truth. Acts 17 Paul commends Athenians on their alter to unknown God, similarities religions all contain elements truth
-non christians access some benefits JC death - died for everyone “God is loving and wishes all to be saved” 1Timm 2
-Parable sheep and goats judgements based moral descions- both not realised helped JC helping others ‘Anonymous christians’
-Rahner= JC death neccessary for salvation but Gods grace mediated thru non christian lawful religions. Non- christians act consistently with christian teachings show Gods grace - anonymous christian
visible an invisible church= know god in explicit (christian) and implicit way. hero’s faith lived b4 JC saved.
inclusivism
-chrsitianity one true faith possible for non christians to be saved
-all spiritual aspect makes search truth. Acts 17 Paul commends Athenians on their alter to unknown God, similarities religions all contain elements truth
-non christians access some benefits JC death - died for everyone “God is loving and wishes all to be saved” 1Timm 2
-Parable sheep and goats judgements based moral descions- both not realised helped JC helping others ‘Anonymous christians’
-Rahner= JC death neccessary for salvation but Gods grace mediated thru non christian lawful religions. Non- christians act consistently with christian teachings show Gods grace - anonymous christian
visible an invisible church= know god in explicit (christian) and implicit way. hero’s faith lived b4 JC saved.
