Pluralism & Theology

Question 1

keyword

Exclusivism:

Answer 1

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

Question 2

keyword

Inclusivism

Answer 2

possible for non-Christians to be saved through other religions.

Question 3

keyword

Pluralism:

Answer 3

All religions are equally true and equal paths to salvation.

Question 4

Two types of exclusivism

Answer 4

1. Narrow: Christians within their own denomination can recieve salvation
2. Broad: A wider acceptance of those able to recieve salvation. E.G. catholic belief in purgatory

Question 5

Catholic views on exclusivism

Answer 5

• only through hearing the Gospel, one can be saved.

Question 6

Gavin D’Costa - 2 types of exclusivism

Answer 6

• Divides exclusivist into two groups.
  1. Restrictive-Access Exclusivist only Gods grace and certain denominations will be saved. (holds a similiar view to John calvin)
  2. Universal-access exclusivist christs’ salvation is open to all, can come after death through purgatory

Question 7

The Biblical basis of exclusivism

Answer 7

John 14:6
- Jesus said “I am the way and the truth”
- Jesus is ‘the truth’ – implying other religions are false.

Question 8

KEYWORD

Vatican II

Inclusivism

Answer 8

• resulted in a more positive/open response to other denominations/ world faiths

Question 9

Inclusivism

Karl Rahner

anonymous christian

Answer 9

coined the term ‘Anonymous Christian’ to describe people who were living good lives and who could be saved even if they are unaware of Christ

• otherwise how could an omnibonevolant god punish those born w/ out access to christianity

Question 10

Augustine’s exclusivism

Answer 10

• only the ‘elect’ will be saved - Given gods grace
• St Paul calls grace a “gift” which we cannot ‘take credit’ for earning (Ephesians 2:8).

Question 11

Pluralsim

The parable of the blind men

hick

Answer 11

• different religions are different human interpretations of the one true divine reality.
• Hick thought the differences between religions were merely cultural.

Question 12

Kant distintion between ‘noumenal’ and ‘phenoemal’

Answer 12

NOUMENAL WORLD:
The nature of God belonged to the noumenal world, we are not capable of knowing God as he really is because our minds are finite
PHENOMENAL WORLD:
- Hick argues that religion is a human, phenomenal attempt to understand God.
- Every religion falls short of the truth because no one is capable of a noumenal undertanding of God.
- Religion is therefore a human construct, where we filter our understanding of God in accordance to our own cultural upbringing. = explains why there is different religions