PLURALISM

The extent to which it is possible to be both a committed Christian & a religious pluralist

Pluralism has nothing to do with Christianity, all major Church denominations agree Jesus is unique, God incarnate with both human & divine qualities, atonement offers salvation for ALL Christians, to say all religions offer salvation form of heresy

John Hick - alternative way of thinking of Jesus = can be considered someone who achieved a high degree of God’s consciousness, became an example for others, Christian can be lead to God through Jesus without belief in creeds, Christians can believe other religious figures can also have achieved God’s consciousness

Raises issues surrounding problematic religions e.g those that worship the devil & engage in anti-humanitarian practices, does this mean that all religions are equally good in providing equal opportunity for salvation, even those that reject Christian ideas of love & compassion?

Rahner’s reference to ‘anonymous Christians’, God working within other religions, Christians can uphold their traditional doctrines while acknowledging the possible truth of other religions too, Christian universalists, no one going to Hell, God will ensure everyone is saved

The extent to which the Christian Bible promotes exclusivism

Many passages within Hebrew scriptures & NT that indicate there is only one way to achieve salvation e.g John “No one comes to the Father except through me.”, teachings of punishment & eternal damnation for those who do not accept Jesus as Lord, led to the formulation of exclusivist belief

Contradicts idea of a benevolent God, Karl Rahner introduces inclusivism, accepts Christianity as one true religion but others ‘anonymous Christians’ who respond to God without realising it, others may not have access to religious teaching so unfair to condemn them to Hell as a result

Pluralists argue deeper themes within the Bible, includes the loving mystery of God who is beyond all other religions e.g teaching “love thy neighbour” meaning to be open to fact they may have knowledge or wisdom we do not ourselves attain, according to pluralists, this is the deeper message of the Bible which rejects exclusivism

Pluralists seem to undermine passages supporting exclusivism, these cannot be ignored for their clear teaching of punishment for those who do not accept Jesus as the only means of salvation, pluralism = a less literal approach to the Bible & doesn’t align with traditional Catholic teachings which have existed for centuries

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