RS a level DCT - pluralism and theology

3 spec points/ approaches to this topic

exclusivism, inclusivism, pluralism

what is exclusivism

the view that only Christianity fully offers the means of salvation

what is inclusivism

the view that although Christianity is the normative means of salvation, ‘anonymous’ Christians may also be saved

what is pluralism

the view that there are many ways to salvation, of which Christianity is one path

4 key ideas of exclusivism

No one deserves salvation through their own efforts

Jesus was God so Christianity is special/superior

Religions make conflicting truth claims and these cannot all be right

Christianity became an evangelical religion out of concern for the Parousia

what is narrow exclusivism

you have to be the right kind of Christian (right denomination) to be saved

what is broad exclusivism

allowing Jesus as your saviour allows salvation

john 14:6 on who is saved

"no one comes to the father except through me"

2 key ideas of inclusivism

Christianity is the one true faith and the normative way to salvation

It is possible for anonymous Christians to be saved

example from Acts 17 of inclusivism

Paul finds a pagan altar marked to an “unknown God” and suggests they have been worshipping the Christian God all along. it is now his job to teach them about the real God

example of an inclusivist

Rahner

4 key ideas of pluralism

Truth and salvation are not exclusive to one particular religious tradition

Different religions share the same ultimate goal

Differences between religions are only superficial results of human culture

Not all religions are included: reference Hick

quote from Hick on the validity of world religions

"equally valid but imperfect"

what is Hick’s 2 tier system

the tier of the ultimate

the tier below of human religion, representing the ultimate but falling short

does Hick suggest pluralism is supported by reason, religious experience, or both?

both

which principle does Hick use to decide which religions to include in his pluralism? how?

Kant’s categorical imperative

the faith has to allow the people in it to go from self-centred to other-centred/Real-centred, have to be able to wish the faith was universalised

does Hick accept the incarnation as the literal truth

no

2 types of exclusivism and define them

broad: faith in Jesus is enough for salvation

narrow: you have to be the right kind of Christian to be saved

example of branch of Christianity that preaches narrow exclusivism

Catholicism: motto “there is no salvation outside the Church,” although by 1965 the Vatican conceded that salvation can be found in other churches

two narrow-exclusivist scholars

Augustine, Calvin

4 strengths of exclusivism

biblical support: “no one comes to the father except through me”

internally coherent

retains distinctiveness of Christianity

stresses centrality of incarnation

4 criticisms exclusivism

parable of sheep and goats stresses good works

not everyone has equal access to Christianity

incoherent with God’s love and justice

promotes imperialism and intolerance

biblical support for inclusivism

Acts 17: Paul makes a speech to pagans having found an altar marked "to an unknown God"

key scholar inclusivism

Rahner

3 of Rahner’s inclusivist arguments

Christianity must be the one true religion because of Jesus but Old Testament figures must have been able to be saved

Once people encounter Christianity they can accept or reject it but it's a mistake to assume non-Christians have no knowledge of the truth

both institutions and individuals can be anonymous Christians

3 strengths inclusivism

preserves Gods love and justice

pragmatic

awareness of good people of other faiths

3 weaknesses inclusivism

imperialism of assuming good people to be “anonymous Christians”

not necessarily supported by Bible

some people more likely to accept Christianity due to factors they can’t control

4 of Hick’s pluralist arguments

all world religions “equally valid but imperfect” expressions of the ultimate

2 tier system

pluralism supported by reasoning and religious experience

Kant’s categorical imperative can be used to discern which religions are included

how does Hick use Kant’s categorical imperative to deiscern “in” religions?

faith has to allow the people in it to go from self-centred to other-centred/Real-centred, have to be able to wish the faith was universalised

3 strengths pluralism

encourages tolerance and understanding

values morality

accounts for diversity of religious experience

4 weaknesses pluralism

criteria for “in” religions becomes exclusivist

descends into agnosticism

inconsistent with bible

rejects literal truth of incarnation

quote from John 10 showing Jesus is the means of salvation

"I am the door of the sheep"