Pluralism and theology

Question 1

Exclusivism

Answer 1

salvation can only be gained through Christian faith - no other faith is sufficent

Question 2

What is inter-faith dialogue?

Answer 2

sharing and discussing religious beliefs between members of different religious traditions, with an aim of reaching a better understanding

Question 3

Inclusivism

Answer 3

christianity is the key to salvation, but it might be possible for non-christians to be saved by Christ

Question 4

Pluralism

Answer 4

there are many different paths to salvation and truth and salvation can be found in many different religious traditions

Question 5

What does the Dabru Emet Document ‘speak the truth’ advocate for?

Answer 5

respectful dialogue, and cooperation between Jews and Christians, acknowledging historical tensions while promoting a future of mutual respect and collaboration

Question 6

What is narrow exclusivism and who believed it?

Answer 6

• salvation is for a small number of christians
• Augustine, Calvin - God only elects a few to go to heaven

Question 7

Exclusivism

What does extra ecclesia non salus mean?

Answer 7

no salvation outside of the church

Question 8

What is broad exclusivism and who believed it?

Answer 8

• salviation is for all christians even post death
• DeCosta

Question 9

Exclusivism

Who believes that the word of God consists of three forms and what are the three forms?

Answer 9

Barth
1. Jesus - word of God in human form
2. bible - a ‘witness’ to the revelation of God in christ
3. Church’s teachings - e.g. spreading the gospel

Question 10

What does Rahner reject exclusivism?

Answer 10

it does not seem to be compatible with an omnibenevolent and all-wise God

Question 11

Inclusivism

Who are the two people that disagree with Rahner and what are their views?

Answer 11

1. Kramer - any other religion is ‘midguided’ and are ‘cultural constructs not responses to revelation’
2. Von Balthasar - the church should not ‘go into hiding’ or ‘water down’ the truth in order to appease other religions

Question 12

What are the three different positions of inclusivism?

Answer 12

1. salvation is still possible for the individual who turns to a christian faith only after death - the end of human life is not the end of opporunities to hear and respond to the gospel
2. God’s omnibenevolence leaves open possiblity of salvation for non-christians
3. truth found in religions other than christianity is the work of christ, even though people might not recognise it as such and might attrobute this truth to a different understanding of God

Question 13

Pluralism

What are Kants Noumenal and phenomenal worlds?

Answer 13

noumenal - the world os things as the really are
phenomenal - the world as it appears to us

Question 14

Pluralism

What does Hick argue about the nature of God and religion?

Answer 14

• the nature of the world belongs in the noumenal world
• religion is a phenomenal attempt to understand God - its a human construct

Question 15

Pluralism

What does Panikkar talk about for pluralism?

Answer 15

• talked about the need for openness rather than making any claims to know what ‘the truth’ is or where it might be found
• he also talked about the need to discover truth by living it, choosing actions and words with a vision of harmony between people