Religious Pluralism and Theology Flashcards
what is inclusivism?
the view that although one’s religion is the normative means of salvation, those who accept its central principles will also receive salvation
what are inclusivist thinkers uncomfortable with?
the view that salvation is impossible outside the church
even though inclusivist thinkers are uncomfortable with the view that salvation is impossible outside the church what do they want to maintain?
that christianity holds the truth
what do inclusivist thinkers belief about salvation?
salvation is possible even after death
god gives chances to repent before entering heaven
how do inclusivists believe god’s omnibenevolence opens up the possibility of salvation for non christians?
non christian religions hold truth and god makes allowance for those following him, but in the context of the wrong religion
how do inclusivists perceive the truth found in other religions?
it is the work of christ
who was karl rahner?
20th century theologian
described christianity and the absolute religion
what is an ‘anonymous christian’?
a term adopted by rahner to describe people who were living good lives and who could be saved even if they did not explicitly express christian belief
how did rahner rationalise the existence of the anonymous christian?
humans= fallen and inclined to sin
moral and spiritual actions= only attainable with gods help
therefore if someone behaves in a moral way they must have had god’s help
what biblical quote does rahner use as evidence of an anonymous christian?
‘i know that my redeemer lives and that in the end he will stand on earth’ - Job
what did hendrik kraemer argue about non christian religions?
they are little more than misguided attempts by some people to find truth for themselves
what are non-christian religions, for kraemer?
cultural constructs
how did von balthasar critique rahner?
argued that rahner was trying to appeal other religions
define pluralism
the view that there are many ways to salvation, of which christianity is one path
explain the parable of the blind men and the elephant
each of the blind men feel a different part of the elephant and therefore interpret the elephant differently
explain how john hick used the copernican revolution as analogy for christianity
copernicus = established the sun at the centre of the universe not earth
hick wanted reestablishment of god and truth at the centre of religion rather than christianity
how did hick use kant?
his use of the noumenal and phenomenal
what is the noumenal?
exactly how things are in the world, in turn renders all religions to fall short of the truth - the noumenal
what is the phenomenal?
how things appear through our lenses of experience
phenomenal understanding applicable —> religion
what did hick argue about the gospels?
gospels = myth
with this view they can be understood for their allegorical and spiritual truths
how does panikkar disagree with hick in terms of myth?
disagreed that jesus was a myth, instead christ as a way of god revealing himself through a religious figure
how does panikkar agree with rahner?
the ideal of the anonymous christian - focused on truth rather than the label of christianity
how did panikkar disagree with rahner?
disagreed with rahner’s belief that christianity held more truth than other religions - saw christianity as limiting god’s freedom
define exclusivism
the view that only christianity fully offers the means of salvation
what, for exclusivists, is the only way of achieving salvation?
following the way of christ
what is the two types of exclusivism?
narrow and broad
what is narrow exclusivism?
the view that salvation is only possible for people within their own denomination
give an example of narrow exclusivists
fundamentalists might argue that only those who interpret the bible literally will achieve salvation
what is broad exclusivism?
holds that all people who accept christ through faith are saved
what does gavin d’costa call his position on salvation?
universal access
what is the universal access position?
christ’s salvation is offered to all - even after death
what other type of exclusivist did d’costa identify?
restrictive access exclusivists
what do restrictive access exclusivists believe?
salvation is only for those who hear and respond to the gospel during their daily lives
give an example of a restrictive access exclusivist
john calvin
what did hendrik kraemer believe about religions?
we should not look for ‘points of contact’ between religions, instead look at religions in their entirety
