Religious pluralism and theology Flashcards
What is exclusivism?
The view that Salvation is not possible if you are not a Christian
What is inclusivism?
Although it is christ that is the means of salvation, it does not imply that it is only possible to be saved inside the Christian church.
What is pluralism?
The view that there are many ways to salvation and Christianity is just one of those paths. Other religions offer equally valid ways.
What does the Vatican Two say about issues with the exclusive view?
‘[Through] no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart’
What does the quote from Vatican Two suggest?
It is not the fault of those people who do not know who Christ is.
It questions how people who have a sincere heart to God could possibly still be sent to hell/condemned.
Inculpably ignorant
Through no fault of their own they did not know who Jesus was
Why did Karl Rahner believe Christianity was unique?
-Christianity is unique as it was founded on God’s ultimate act of revelation (Jesus Christ)
Why does Karl Rahner reject the idea that all religions are equal?
Christianity holds the truth but it is through the grace of god that allows people to be saved if they do not know directly about Christ.
People can devote their lives to the service of others without realizing they are following the example of Jesus.
What is the ‘anonymous Christian’ concept?
They do not call themselves Christians but turn to Christ without knowing due to the decisions they make and attitudes they adopt.
What is the Transfiguration story?
Moses and Elijah (dead) spoke to Jesus before he had died on the cross
What does the Transfiguration tell us about exclusivism?
This shows that heaven was available to all before Jesus died therefore criticizing an exclusivist view.
What does Kraemer say about exclusivism?
Any other religion is a misguided attempt to the truth - this was rejected by Rahner
What does Saint Cyprian of Carthage (third century bishop) say about exclusivism?
‘Outside the church there is no salvation’
This explains the early missionary work of the church
Titus 3:5
‘He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy’
What do exclusivists think of Jesus?
Jesus is the mediator between humans and God - without him God would be inaccessible and salvation would be impossible.
Why did John Hick see a problem with Christianity being the only form of salvation?
He became influenced by the faith and service of people from other religions and therefore questioned how a God of love would condemn such people and deny them salvation.
Theocentric view
Focused on God
Christocentric view
Focused on Christ
What does Hick’s ‘Myth of Jesus’ mean?
He argues that Jesus is simply a mythical character and that this is used to interpret Jesus as being the Son of God ‘by nature’.
Noumenal World
World of things as they really are
Phenomenal World
World as it appears to us
Why did Kant believe God belongs in the noumenal world?
We are not capable of knowing God as he really is because our minds are finite, therefore we are only capable of relating him to ourselves
How does Hick believe Christianity should be understood?
He did not believe that Christianity should be understood as the truth
He argued that its ‘truth claims’ should not be understood as literal facts but as myths
Hick believes that these myths allows each to become meaningful in their own context without contradiction
How does Job reflect an inclusivist view?
‘I know that my redeemer lives and that in the end he will stand on earth’
Job did not know Christ at this point but spoke of confidence in God therefore suggesting his awareness of God’ grace
Main exclusivist thinkers?
Hendrick Kraemer
Karl Barth
Dr. Andy Bannister
Main inclusivist thinkers?
Karl Rahner
What does Karl Barth say about exclusivism?
People cannot know God through their own efforts but God chooses to reveal himself through Jesus, the bible and the church.
God can only be found through this, despite human effort.
What is narrow exclusivism?
The idea that salvation is only available to people who belong to their own denomination of Christianity.
What is Balthasar’s critique of Rahner?
He argued that the church should noy go into hiding in the modern secular world, it should be courageous on its claims about salvation.
