inclusivism: the view that although one’s own religion is the normative (setting the standard of normality) means of salvation, those who accept its central principles may also receive salvation

key concepts

• only Christianity has Jesus as the Saviour.

• some believe salvation may still be possible for those who accept Christ after death.

• others suggest God might give people a chance to repent after death.

• God’s omnibenevolence may allow non-Christians to gain salvation if they sincerely seek him.

• inclusivists believe truth in other religions is Christ’s work, even if followers don’t recognise it.

karl rahner

• he was a leading voice in vatican ii.

• before vatican ii, he worked with theologians of the nouvelle théologie, once condemned by pope pius xii.

• his theology heavily influenced the second vatican council.

• he is credited with shaping the catholic church’s inclusivist view.

rahner’s anonymous christianity

anonymous Christianity: the theological concept that declares that ppl who have never heard the Christian Gospel might be saved through Christ

• rahmer’s development of the idea preceded the council n became more insistent after it received its concilliar formulation:

• he used examples of OT figures eg Moses, Abraham, Job » preceded Christ = anonymous Christians

• they possessed n sustained their faith in God through difficult times

  • not exposed to Jesus’ Gospel through no fault of their own

strengths

• he draws on Augustine n Aquinas’ ideas of possibility of salvation for some who live before Christ

• if God desires that all will be saved, it’s hard to argue against some form of inclusivism » surely an all-powerful n all-loving God, desiring that all are saved, will find ways to mediate that salvation in all historical eras to different cultures?

• Vatican II » idea that ‘nothing of what is good and holy in other religions is lost’ coz all present in Christ as the Way, the Truth and the Life (many creds to Rahner)

• he presents a ‘middle way’ between what some view as 2 problematic extremes » exclusivism n pluralism

  • 1 presents one way to salvation while another presents several ways

weaknesses

• it can be seen as patronising by some, to assume that an atheist, Muslim or Hindu is an ‘anonymous Christian’

• To what extent can true inter-faith dialogue occur under Rahner’s view? Other religions are either in error or what they believe is already believed in Christianity without being mixed up with untruths. The process of dialogue would therefore be all one-way.​

• At least Exclusivists are honest about the above point in stating that there is only one way for salvation, whereas Inclusivists seem to want to claim otherwise​

• Some would argue why bother with the sacraments if salvation is available outside the Church​

• Von Balthasar, a colleague of Rahner, points out that the ‘anonymous Christian’ has to be identified mainly through their good moral behaviour. But we are not saved through works, but through faith. He said the church should not go into hiding and present a watered-down version of the Christian message of salvation through Christ to appease people of other or no faith

• It could also be argued that the Old Testament saints like Job, Abraham and Moses had a revelation of the coming Christ/Messiah therefore cannot be termed as anonymous Christians. Jesus in an argument with the Jews in John 8:56 stated that “ Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it and was glad.”​

• Also, Moses apart from prophesying the coming Messiah, is recorded as being present as Jesus’ transfiguration. Luke 9:28-36. This highlights the fact the Old Testament saints were expecting the arrival of Christ and had a preview of what he was coming to do-the promise being made repeatedly from the story of the Fall. The Jewish holy book – the Old Testament is full of the promises of the coming Messiah. ​