Religious pluralism and theology Flashcards
Define ‘exclusivism’
The view that only one religion offers the complete means of salvation
Define ‘inter-faith dialogue’
Sharing and discussing religious beliefs between members of different religious traditions with an aim of reaching better understanding
Define ‘theology of religion’
The branch of Christian theology that looks at the relationship between Christianity and other world religions from a Christian perspective
Define ‘inclusivism’
The view that although one’s own religion is the normative means of salvation, those who accept its central principles may also receive salvation
Define ‘pluralism’
The view that there are many ways to salvation through different religious traditions
Define ‘particularism’
An alternative name for exclusivism meaning that salvation can only be found through one means
Define ‘Vatican II’
The second Vatican Ecumenical Council held from 1962-1965 to discuss the place of the Catholic Church in the modern world
Define ‘Noumena’
A Kantian term to describe reality as it really is, unfiltered by the human mind
Define ‘Phenomena’
A Kantian term to describe reality as it appears to us through the filter of the human mind
How do exclusivists believe people can be saved?
Only through Christianity, hearing the Gospel and responding to it by faith in Christ can a person be saved, it requires giving up on old ways of life to adopt one centred around Christ and the Church
Why do some prefer the term ‘particularist’?
Less negative than exclusivist which conveys hostility, arrogance and lack of respect for other religions
Describe ‘narrow exclusivism’
Salvation is only possible for people in their denomination of Christianity e.g. Augustine and John Calvin believed that God elects through grace only a small number of Christians for Heaven
What does the Catholic church teach about salvation?
Salvation is only for those who are baptised into the Catholic Church and regularly receive the Eucharist, ‘extra ecclesiam nulla salus’ means ‘there is no salvation outside the church’
Describe ‘broad exclusivism’
All people who accept Christ through faith are saved regardless of denomination, others believe that truth can be found in other religions but it is only partial truth which isn’t enough for salvation
How did Gavin D’Costa’s categorise exclusivists?
Restrictive-access exclusivists: John Calvin and those who are narrow exclusivists
Universal-access exclusivists: D’Costa, Christ’s salvation is offered to all that accept God’s love and grace and possibility of purgatory
Quote 1 Timothy 2:3-6 which D’Costa uses to support his beliefs
“This is good and pleases God our saviour, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth”
Describe the beliefs of Hendrik Kraemer (1888-1965)
- Christian exclusivist
- Non-Christians cannot achieve salvation through their own faith systems so must convert
- God’s revelation can be seen by other religions
Why did Kraemer believe only Christians could be saved?
- You cannot pick out practises and beliefs in other religions that seem Christian like because because religion is a way of life
- All world religions have to be evaluated as whole systems
- There is no ‘partial truth’ between religions