Pluralism and theology

What 3 questions does john hick as during a talk given to a theological society in Norwich

Is christianity the only true religion

What does writer Alan race in Christianity and pluralism (1982) identifies 3 broad perspectives of how Christians might approach dealing with people of other faiths

-exclusivism - no salvation other than Christianity

-inclusivism - Christianity is the key but possible for non Christian's to be saved by Christ

-pluralism- many different paths to salvation

What does exclusivism claim

-other religions cannot lead people to the right relationship with God

-Jesus Christ brought salvation to the world

-only through hearing the gospel and responding with faith in Christ can you be saved

-including rite of baptism - being cleansed of in and reborn as a Christian

-salvation requires giving up old way of life (links to Bonhoeffer)

-no other path available

What do some people prefer to call the exclusivism view

'Particularists' as it has a less negative tone than 'exclusivists' which might appear to convey hostility, arrogance or lack of respect

What is narrow exclusivism

Only Christian's within their own denomination are saved e.g. Christian's that take the bible literally (bible believing) whilst others read it more for guidance or even myth

What approach Augustine (4th century) and Calvin (16th century) take

Narrow exclusivism , believing through Gods grace only a select few Christian's will be elected to heaven - so just being a Christian is not enough

What does catholic theologian D'Costa call narrow exclusivism

'restrictive access exclusivists'

What 2 scholars are exclusivists

Hendrik Kramer and Karl Barth

Who is Hendrik kraemer

Leading figure in the Netherlands to bring different Christian denominations together - ecumenical movement.

His book was influential for Christian missionaries working in non Christian countries

What does Hendrik Kramer say with exclusivist views

In his book 'the Christian message in a non Christian world' (1938) he emphasises that non Christian's cannot achieve salvation through their own faith systems but must convert to Christianity

Who is Karl bath

A Protestant theologian who can be seen as an exclusivist thinker (he never used this term to describe himself)

What does bath say with exclusivist views

People cannot know God through their own effort but God chooses to reveal himself through:

-Jesus (the living word)

-bible ('witness' to the revelation of God)

-church (spreading the gospel so that everyone has a chance to respond)

God can only be known through Christ and acc not be found through human efforts, however sincere [people might be.

How do u become an exclusivist

do not be led by political correctness or a fear of offending others on matters of ultimate truth (be brave) as the Christian message is not a matter of personal taste but is of vital importance for everyone's eternal soul. It is necessary to make it plain to non Christian's that they are wrong as all those not on a Christian path are not in danger of damnation. Missionary work and trying to convert others to Christianity is a duty, not a sign of ignorance

What was the Catholic Church often associated with

The moto 'extra ecclesial nulla salus' = 'there is no salvation outside of the church'

When did the Catholic Church view begin to change

After the Vatican II (second Vatican ecumenical council) had a long series of meeting between 1962-1965 where leading figures discussed the Catholic Church into the modern world which led to a more positive and open response to other denominations and other world faiths

What is broad exclusivism

View that holds that all people who accept Christ through their faith will be saved (regardless of denomination)

What does catholic theologian D 'Costa also speak of along with broad exclusivism

'Universal-access exclusivists' which is a Christian belief that recognises:

-Christ's salvation is open to all

-salvation can even come after death through the process of purgatory

What is inclusivism

Middle ground between exclusivism and pluralism

Who is our inclusivists

Karl Rahner (catholic theologian, extremely influential; and one of the leading voices in Vatican II)

What do exclusivists believe

Christianity is unique:founded on Gods ultimate acts of revelation through Jesus = is the 'absolute' religion, setting the standard by which other religions should be measured. Those who havent heard the words of Christ will never receive salvation

What problem is there with exclusivism

Seems to exclude anyone who lived before Christ (e.g. Adam and Eve), anyone that has never heard about Gods revelation through Christ's. This exclusivism doesn't seem inline with Gods omnibenevolent nature

What does inclusivist Karl rahner believe

Rejected exclusivism as some people through no fault of their own never heard the words of Christ and therefore according to exclusivist never receive salvation which he doesnt agree with. Believes everyone should have the opportunity. If you hear about Christ you must folllow Christ you have no excuse then.

What is Rayners anonymous Christian argument

What is the document lumen gentium

A light to the nations - was one of the principle achievements of the Vatican II

Quote from the document lumen gentium

'Through no fault of their own, do not know the gospel of Christ or his church, but who nether less seek God with a sincere heart, and loved by his grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience... these too may achieve eternal salvation'

What does the quote form the document lumen gentium mean

Those who never got to know Christ but still lived how God would want them to live just because thats the kind of person they are may achieve eternal salvation (anonymous Christian)

What does Kraemer argue

Any other religion is a misguided attempt to the truth which are cultural constructs not responses to revelation

Does rahner agree with kraemers argument

No he argued that non Christian religions can hold some truth e.g. Abraham, Moses and Job never experienced the teachings of Jesus yet they were aware of the grave of God

Why does rahner call people anonymous Christian's

Because they are Christian's but they just dont know it as they dont call themselves Christian's (not been baptised, dont go to church, dont read the bible) but in the decisions they make and the attitudes they adopt, they are turning to Christ without knowing it

Who is von Balthasar

A colleague of rahner, was a critic of the idea of 'anonymous Christian'

What did von Balthasar argue against rahners views

The church should not go into hiding in the modern secular world or present a watered - down version of the Christian message in order to appease people of other faiths or of no faith, instead it should be able to stand out in the open and be courageous in its claims that salvation is to be found in only Christianity

What is pluralism

The view that many different religious traditions can have value and lead their followers to salvation. Generally argues that different religions share the same ultimate goal. The beliefs and practices associated with different religions arise because of human culture and the differences are only superficial

Analogy about elephant that links to religion

If blind people were all to feel different parts of an elephant they could all argue different things about this elephant however it is still the same elephant. This can be said about religions. They may all argue different things but still be worshipping the same God

What did john hick believe before pluralism

Started out as an evangelical Christian who was firmly convinced of the truth of Christianity and the need to convert others to salvation through Christ

What changed john hicks view

Working in Birmingham, he was impressed by the faith and service of his fellow Sikhs, Hindus and Muslims. He noticed their commitment to prayer, family values, willingness to work together to help disadvantaged people and their genuine commitment to living godly lives. For hick this raised the question of would God of love really deny such people salvation

Does john hick believe that Christianity is the centre of everything anymore

No just one of many religions that all revolve around God

What did hick draw upon when formulating his pluralist theology

Kants ideas on noumenal and phenomenal

What is the noumenal world?

a world of things as they really are. Kant thought that nature of God belonged in the noumenal world. We are not capable of knowing God as he really is because our minds are finite

What is the phenomenal world

World as it appears to us. Hick argues that religion is a human, phenomenal attempt to understand God. Al religions are human constructs, were we filter our understanding of God in accordance with our own contexts and cultural upbringing. Every religion falls short of the truth because no one is capable of a noumenal understanding of God

For hick how should Christianity be understood

Not as the truth it has too many flaws just like all other religions. For example views that Jesus is incarnate, rose back from the dead or born of a Virgin Mary are myths made by different religions are just different symbols, each meaningful in their own contexts rather than contradictory

What does raimon panikkar (1918-2010) say about pluralism

He believed in openness rather than making any claims to know what 'the truth' is or where it may be found

What is raimon panikkars background

Mixed family: father = Indian Hindu, mother = Spanish catholic

Raimon panikkar quote to the New York Times

'I left Europe as a Christian, i discovered i was a Hindu and returned a Buddhist without ever having ceased to be a Christian'

What did panikkar emphasise

The mystery of the divine without destroying different cultural traditions and diversity

What was panikkar know for

For saying he tried to find his religious identity by losing it (religious fluidity)

Is it possible to be all these religions at once

No because some religions say don't worship false idols and some religions very obviously don't believe in the same God as the one being worshipped in Christianity

Solus christus

'Only Christ'. Gods grace is possible only through Christ. Christ's death was necessary and it is only through Christ what anyone can be saved

Extra ecclesium nulls salus

'No salvation outside the church' you must be a member of visible institution of the church to be saved as the church is a continuing mediator of Christ's presence on earth

Fides ex audits

True faith is only possible through hearing the gospel as witnessed in the bible and preached by the church

Votum ecclesiae

'Church of faith' or implicit faith in the church. You can be an implicit member of the invisible church of faith through your desires and by the way you live your life

What is restrictive access exclusivism

Human nature is sinful and therefore Christ is the only means of salvation. Salvation is only possible by directly hearing the gospel and being baptised.

-considered the most traditional view

-support by Augustine and calvin

-God chooses few people for salvation (limited election)

What is universal access exclusivism

God wills the redemption of everyone (universal salvation). Christs salvation is offered to all and God wills us to love him.

-roman catholics and Protestants hold this view

-can be supported through moral living, sensus divinitas, purgatory

What is structural inclusivism

Any religion whose structures develop an openness to Gods grace as revealed in Jesus Christ may receive Gods salvation, e.g. Karl rahner

What is restrictive inclusivism

Although God makes certain provisions for individuals who have not heard the gospel but nevertheless respond positively to natural law, conscience and true elements of their religion, they do not consider that a non-Christian religion. It may be at best good preparation for salvation

What is rahners anonymous Christian argument

Refers to any individual who is part of a religion institution that through its structures, practices and values is means of grace. Votum ecclesia. Anyone who follows their non-Christian religion faithfully is therefore a member of the invisible church

What is rahners invisible church

Work of anonymous Christian's who do not know they are acting through the grace of God and christ

What is rahners visible church

Visible symbol of christ

Visible symbol of Christ