Pluralism and Theology DCT

Question 1

What is exclusivism?

Answer 1

The belief that Christianity is the only true religion and only through it can one be saved.

Question 2

What is inclusivism?

Answer 2

The belief that Christianity is the true religion, but salvation is possible through other religions.

Question 3

What is pluralism?

Answer 3

The belief that all religions are equally true and valid paths to salvation.

Question 4

What Bible verse supports exclusivism?

Answer 4

John 14:6 - ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’

Question 5

What verse clearly supports belief in Jesus for salvation?

Answer 5

John 3:18 - ‘Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already.’

Question 6

What does the term ‘believe’ imply in a biblical context?

Answer 6

In ancient Judaism, ‘believe’ meant both faith and obedience.

Question 7

Which parable supports inclusivism?

Answer 7

The parable of the sheep and the goats - it emphasizes good actions over belief.

Question 8

What was Luther’s view on faith and works?

Answer 8

Works are a symptom of true faith, which alone saves.

Question 9

What analogy did Luther use for faith and works?

Answer 9

Faith and works are like fire and heat; works flow from faith.

Question 10

What is Augustine’s view on salvation?

Answer 10

Only God’s grace enables salvation due to original sin.

Question 11

What is predestination according to Augustine?

Answer 11

The belief that God predestines some people to heaven and others to hell.

Question 12

What is double predestination?

Answer 12

The idea that God has predestined both the saved and the damned.

Question 13

What is Pelagius’ objection to original sin?

Answer 13

It is unjust to punish people for Adam’s sin; we have free will.

Question 14

How did Augustine respond to Pelagius?

Answer 14

He argued the fall infected all humanity, but God remains just.

Question 15

How does Augustine explain God’s justice?

Answer 15

God’s justice is beyond human understanding, even if it seems unfair.

Question 16

What is Karl Rahner’s stance on inclusivism?

Answer 16

He believed non-Christians could be saved through God’s grace as ‘anonymous Christians’.

Question 17

What are ‘anonymous Christians’?

Answer 17

People who follow God’s grace unknowingly within another religion.

Question 18

What happens when an anonymous Christian encounters Christianity, according to Rahner?

Answer 18

They must convert to Christianity to be saved.

Question 19

What is Hick’s critique of exclusivism?

Answer 19

An all-loving God wouldn’t condemn those unaware of Jesus.

Question 20

What is universalism?

Answer 20

The belief that all people will ultimately be saved.

Question 21

What solution does Hick propose for universalism?

Answer 21

A form of purgatory where souls continue to improve post-death.

Question 22

What argument does Hume make about hell?

Answer 22

An infinite punishment for finite sins is disproportionate and unjust.

Question 23

What parable does Hick use to describe pluralism?

Answer 23

The parable of blind men and the elephant - different interpretations of the same reality.

Question 24

How did Hick come to support pluralism?

Answer 24

By observing the sincerity of other faiths while living in multi-faith Birmingham.

Question 25

What did Hick say about worship across religions?

Answer 25

They all involve opening to a divine reality that demands love and righteousness.

Question 26

What’s Hume’s critique of pluralism?

Answer 26

Religions contradict each other; they can’t all be true.

Question 27

How does Hick respond to Hume’s critique?

Answer 27

He says the contradictions are cultural lenses on the same divine reality.

Question 28

What theological claims does Hick discount?

Answer 28

Specific doctrines like Jesus’ divinity are cultural, not objective truths.

Question 29

What is Hick’s definition of true religion?

Answer 29

Any religion that involves opening the mind to a higher, good, divine reality.

Question 30

What religions challenge Hick’s idea?

Answer 30

Greek, Roman, and some pagan religions which are not about a loving divine reality.

Question 31

What does Buddhism challenge in Hick’s pluralism?

Answer 31

It’s arguably not about a personal, good, divine being.

Question 32

What is Augustine’s view on original sin and how does it affect salvation?

Answer 32

Only God’s grace enables salvation due to original sin corrupting our nature.

Question 33

What did the term ‘believe’ mean in the historical context of the Bible?

Answer 33

In ancient Judaism, 'believe' meant both faith in and obedience to Jesus.

Question 34

What Bible verse supports exclusivism by stating belief in Jesus is necessary?

Answer 34

John 3:18 - 'Whoever believes in him is not condemned...'

Question 35

What analogy did Luther use to describe the relationship between faith and works?

Answer 35

Faith and works are like fire and heat; works naturally flow from true faith.

Question 36

What is the doctrine of predestination according to Augustine?

Answer 36

The belief that God predestines some people to receive grace and be saved.

Question 37

What is inclusivism in Christian theology?

Answer 37

The belief that Christianity is the true religion but salvation is possible outside it.

Question 38

What types of religions challenge Hick’s idea that all religions are about righteousness and love?

Answer 38

Greek, Roman, and some pagan religions which are more about appeasement than moral transformation.

Question 39

How does the parable of the sheep and goats challenge exclusivism?

Answer 39

It emphasizes doing good actions rather than holding specific beliefs for salvation.

Question 40

What is Hick’s main criticism of exclusivism based on God’s love?

Answer 40

An all-loving God wouldn't condemn those unaware of Christ through no fault of their own.

Question 41

What was Karl Rahner’s view on salvation for non-Christians?

Answer 41

He believed non-Christians could be saved through their religion by receiving God's grace unknowingly.

Question 42

How does Luther connect good works to salvation?

Answer 42

Good works result from genuine Christian faith, but faith alone saves.

Question 43

How does Augustine's doctrine of predestination relate to exclusivism?

Answer 43

It asserts that only those given grace by God will have faith and be saved.

Question 44

Why did Augustine believe only some people could be saved?

Answer 44

Because original sin corrupts us, and only some receive God’s grace through predestination.

Question 45

Why did John Hick stop being an exclusivist?

Answer 45

By observing the sincerity of other faiths while living in a multi-faith society.

Question 46

What is universalism in religious belief?

Answer 46

The belief that all people will ultimately be saved.

Question 47

How does Hick respond to contradictions between religions?

Answer 47

He says they are cultural lenses through which the same divine reality is perceived.

Question 48

What did Rahner mean by ‘anonymous Christians’?

Answer 48

People who follow God’s grace unknowingly within their own religion.

Question 49

What is the pluralist view on salvation?

Answer 49

The belief that all religions are equally true paths to God and salvation.

Question 50

What parable does Hick use to explain pluralism?

Answer 50

The parable of blind men and the elephant – each touches a part of the same reality.

Question 51

How does Hick justify Hitler being saved under universalism?

Answer 51

Through a purgatory-like process of soul-making in another life.

Question 52

Who are ‘anonymous Christians’ according to Karl Rahner?

Answer 52

People saved through other religions by God’s grace without knowing they’re responding to Christ.

Question 53

What does the parable of the blind men and the elephant teach about religion?

Answer 53

Different religions reflect partial understandings of the same divine reality.

Question 54

How does Hick argue that different religions relate to the same divine reality?

Answer 54

They reflect different cultural interpretations of the same truth.

Question 55

What was Luther’s view on how faith and works relate to salvation?

Answer 55

Faith saves, and works are its natural result, like heat from fire.

Question 56

What does the parable of the sheep and goats suggest about salvation?

Answer 56

That doing good for others is what leads to heaven, not religious belief.

Question 57

What is Hume’s argument against eternal punishment?

Answer 57

An infinite punishment for finite sins is disproportionate and unjust.

Question 58

What concept does Hick use to argue that all will eventually be saved?

Answer 58

A purgatory-like soul-making process that leads everyone to salvation.

Question 59

What did Luther believe about good works and faith?

Answer 59

Good works follow naturally from true faith but are not what saves.

Question 60

How does Hick defend universal salvation despite serious sin?

Answer 60

Through a soul-improvement process after death that takes time.

Question 61

What was Luther’s analogy for faith and good works?

Answer 61

They are like fire and heat—works follow faith naturally.

Question 62

What was Pelagius’ objection to predestination and original sin?

Answer 62

It’s unjust to punish people for sins they didn’t commit or choose.

Question 63

What happens when people unknowingly respond to God’s grace in another religion?

Answer 63

Rahner calls them ‘anonymous Christians’ and says they can be saved.

Question 64

What did Augustine believe about who is saved?

Answer 64

Only those predestined by God to receive grace and faith in Christ.

Question 65

What did Hick say all religions have in common?

Answer 65

They all involve opening the mind to a higher divine reality demanding love and righteousness.

Question 66

How does Rahner explain salvation for those in other religions?

Answer 66

Through responding to grace without knowing it comes from Christ.

Question 67

What is Hick’s definition of a ‘true religion’?

Answer 67

Any religion that helps people connect with a good, divine reality and promotes love.

Question 68

Why does Buddhism challenge Hick’s pluralism?

Answer 68

It’s arguably not about a personal, good, divine being.

Question 69

What is the core similarity Hick sees between world religions?

Answer 69

They all involve opening to a higher, loving divine reality.

Question 70

What does John 3:18 say about belief in Jesus and salvation?

Answer 70

That those who don’t believe in Jesus are already condemned.

Question 71

How does Rahner’s inclusivism challenge exclusivism?

Answer 71

It allows salvation for non-Christians who follow God’s grace unknowingly.

Question 72

How does the sheep and goats parable support inclusivism?

Answer 72

It suggests good actions, not belief, are what lead to salvation.

Question 73

What is the pluralist position on religious truth?

Answer 73

All religions are equally true and valid paths to God.

Question 74

How does Hick reinterpret conflicting doctrines in different religions?

Answer 74

As cultural projections, not literal truths.

Question 75

What does the sheep and goats parable imply about religious belief?

Answer 75

Belief is less important than how we treat others.

Question 76

What lesson does the elephant parable teach about religious disagreements?

Answer 76

That different faiths may all point to the same divine reality.

Question 77

How does Augustine’s view of predestination relate to salvation?

Answer 77

God predestines only some to receive grace and be saved; others are damned.