Religious Pluralism Flashcards
Theologically what does a pluralist mean?
Belief that all religions are equally valid and equally limited to achieve salvation.
What was the first Christians Aim?
-To change people’s mind and convert them to Christianity.
-urgent task
-due to the Parousia
Who identified the 3 perspectives?
Alan Race
What does Natural Theological Christians believe about the epistemological problem?
There can be truth within other religions that are compatible with Christianity.
-reject the revealed theological view of sensus divinitates
What is exclusivism?
only Christians gain the full means of salvation
What is inclusivism?
Though Christianity is the normative means anonymous Christians can also receive salvation
What is Pluralism?
Many ways to salvation Christianity is one of the many ways
What is a necessary condition?
Something that is required to be the case
What is Sufficient condition?
Something that is enough to be the case
What does Gavin De Costa say the conditions are dependent on?
‘controlling beliefs’
What are examples of controlling beliefs?
-Soles Christus, salvation is achieved from faith in Christ alone (5 soles Martin Luther king)
-salvation is possible outside the church
-sin and election
What are the general beliefs on Exclusivism
-one true faith
-Jesus is the ultimate revelation and mediator
-only Christians can be offered salvation
-position of catholic and calvinist
What is restricted access exclusivist?
-salvation is only for those predestines
-no one is actually worthy of heaven
Universal access exclusivism?
-salvation is offered to anyone who accepts the Christian message
-those who live a good life have the chance to accept it through purgatory
Why only Christians being saved in exclusivism?
-Humans were fallen and the relationship between God and humans was amended by Jesus
-God incarnate and so without him salvation cannot be gained
Why do RAE beleive what they beleive?
All humans are inherently sinful so no one deserved to go in the first place
What docterines are RAE supported by?
-limited election
-double predestination
Why do UAE beleive what they beleive?
Those who lived moral lives will have the opportunity at death
Quotes in support of exclusivism:
‘No one can come to the father except through me’
‘whoever bleeives in him will have eternal life’
he who beleives and is baptised is saved’
What parable rejects the whole exclusivist view?
Parable of sheep and the Goats
-no mention of Jesus
-highlights the importance of action more
Explain The catholic stance in terms of exclusivism.
-you have to belong in the correct Christian denomination
-baptized in catholic church and live a catholic life
What is the Catholic reasoning for there stance in exclusivism?
-Church mediates God’s Grace through Sacraments only they do the seven sacraments
How did Vatican II change there stance?
-acknowledge that rays of truth an be gained through other religions
-full expression is gained through christianity
-other religions are preparation for the Gospel
-purgatory offers the chance
