pluralism + theology

Question 1

Epistemological problem of the religious pluralism debate.

Answer 1

To what extent might claims of truths in other religions be true also in Christianity?

Question 2

Soteriological problem of the religious pluralism debate.

Answer 2

Can non-Christians receive God’s salvation?

Question 3

Sufficient condition.

Answer 3

When something is enough.

Question 4

Necessary condition.

Answer 4

When something is required.

Question 5

Controlling beliefs.

Answer 5

Gavin D’Costa’s label for the ideas of different Church communities as to what is necessary or sufficient to receive salvation.

Question 6

Sola Christus.

Answer 6

God’s grace is only achievable through Jesus.

Question 7

Extra ecclesiam nulla salus.

Answer 7

Salvation is only possible through the Church.

Question 8

Fides ex auditu.

Answer 8

Salvation is only possible after hearing the gospel preached by the church.

Question 9

The other controlling beliefs:

Answer 9

• Belief God as a trinity created the world.
• belief in a beatific vision or eternal punishment after death.
• Belief humankind is fallen, incapable of knowing God and so God has elected those who will be saved.

Question 10

Restrictive Access Exclusivism.

Answer 10

Only certain denominations will be saved by God, often with the view of limited election, double predestination, antelapsarian divine decree, sola Christus and fides ex auditu.

Question 11

Universal Access Exclusivism.

Answer 11

Roman Catholics and Protestant groups who believe all Christians can access salvation due to belief in sola christus, fides ex auditu and extra esslesiam nulla salus.

Question 12

Roman Catholic Pope Paul VI’s comment.

Answer 12

“The Catholic Church rejects nothing of what is true and holy in these religions.”

Question 13

Roman Catholic Dominus iesus (2001) claim.

Answer 13

Pluralism and inclusivism undermine importance of church and Christ.

Question 14

Karl Barth’s view.

Answer 14

Ambiguous exclusivist/inclusivist. Believes God can be known to those he reveals himself to. ‘Church Dogmatics’ has been interpreted to be Barth arguing for the discarding of other religions and using evidence of Christianities unique understanding of the Trinity to show their exclusive knowledge of God. Others interpret it to be a call for transformation of other religions and his discussion of the Holy Spirit indicates an idea all can be guided to Gods grace.

Question 15

Criticisms of exclusivism.

Answer 15

• Restrictive Access historically inspired war and forced conversion.
• Exclusivist positions contradict an omnibenevolent God.
• Universal Access in Catholicism lacks consistency, as Vatican II claims other religions have “rays of truth” while Dominus Iesus claims extra ecclasiam nulla sallus.
• Barth’s argument God is ultimtaley knowable by human mind undermines theological attempts to compose a theology of religions.

Question 16

Structural Inclusvism

Answer 16

Karl Rahner’s theology that any religion with a structural openness to God’s grace can receive human grace, and that the Church’s duty is to spread the word of the gospel as a ‘visible’ church. Most religions support Christian morals and values, but only Christianity has seen the full revelation in Christ.

Question 17

Karl Rahner’s influence from Heidegger.

Answer 17

Rahner used Heidegger’s analysis of human experience, as human minds are finite and their acceptance of the worlds infinity leads to an unconsicous desire for salvation.

Question 18

Karl Rahner’s influence from Aquinas.

Answer 18

Rahner develops Aquinas’ concept of votum ecclasia, that wanting grace through a different religion can be sufficient for God’s grace.

Question 19

Rahner’s view on exclusivism.

Answer 19

Disagrees, beliveing a core aspect of Christianity is the spreading of the gospel.

Question 20

Criticisms of inclusivism.

Answer 20

• ## Rahner prioritized human experience of God over sola christus to try and respect other religions.

Question 20

Restrictive inclusivism

Answer 20

Believe God makes provision for those inculpably ignorant but still act in accordance with the sensus divinitatus.