Theology test

Question 1

Inclusivism

Answer 1

belief that Christianity is the one true faith and the usual path to Salvation but that it is possible for non-Christians to be saved

Question 2

Pluralism

Answer 2

the view hat there are many ways to salvation and Christianity is only one path.

Question 3

Exclusivism

Answer 3

the idea that only christian’s will be saved

Question 4

Biblical quote that supports exclusivism (p1)

Answer 4

John 14:6 “Iam the way and he truth and the life” - which clearly suggests that Christ is the only way to salvation

Question 5

P2 - disagree

Answer 5

was his dying on the cross ineffective? If not then surely we are all capable of achieveing salvation

Question 6

P3- agree

Answer 6

The church seems to be a mediator between God and humans and so its worked may be required for salvation. Also church was founded by Jesus and so only members of the church can go to Heaven

Question 7

P4- disagree

Answer 7

3 features of God make it naive to think that he would condemn eternal damnation on a vast majority of his creation due to their beliefs. Omnibenevolent God would prevent this and decide who can achieve salvation in a much more benevolent way. Arguably, God either isn’t omnibenevolent or salvation is not restricted to christians. Having to meet such a strict criteria doesn’t seem to match our description of God

Question 8

P5- disagree alternative explanation

Answer 8

seems more likely that the means of salvation are not dependent on the “truth” of Jesus but rather on our morality and actions. Bblical evidence suggests that this is the case … the parable of the sheep and goat. God loves all people and has made us in his image …

Question 9

P6- disagree with scholar

Answer 9

Hick, takes a pluralist stance and believes that all religions grasp a portion of the truth of the real - all are valid but none has the whole truth. This can be illustrated with the ancient Indian example of the blind mean and the elephant - each man touches a part of the elephant and thinks he understands what an elephant is but only has a grap of the truth.

Question 10

P6 continued - what does Hick think needs to happen

Answer 10

Copernicus revolution where Christianity should no longer view Christ at the centre but instead it should be God. He believed that this shift was required in order to view all religions as having equal validity