Religious pluralism and theology

What did Karl rahner argue about C? and worry?

Christianity has a unique 'absolute' position, no other religion offers salvation. worried that those before Jesus weren't able to hear of God's revelation through Christ.

4 WEAKNESSES of inclusivism

Christians just anonymous Jews, 'anon' ignorant arrogant offensive, contradicts uniqueness in Bible

What did Rahner distinguish between and argue the Church must do?

He distinguished between the visible and the invisible church, arguing that the church has an important role to make Christianity known around the world.

What did Paul Knitter argue for pluralism?

c19th, all religions share aim of liberating humans from suffering and injustice, and understand soteroloy (how to achieve salvation).

What did Raimon Panikkar argue for pluralism?

c19th, truth can be found in many contexts, Christ revealed however God choses, spoke of finding religious identity by losing it

Which philosopher does Karl Rahner link to?

Aquinas - led Rahner to develop his notion of the votum ecclesia: wanting or desiring to be a member of the Church.

3 STRENGTHS of exclusivism

gives REASON to believe in Christianity (as only way to salvation), avoids undermining UNIQUE truths, RESPECTFULLY rejects non-Christians.

What did Hick argue should be removed from Christianity?

the Trinity, as its the biggest hurdle to Christianity by claiming that Jesus is the Son of God

Which 2 parables link to pluralism?

the blind man and the elephant: if you take your knowledge from one part for the hole you are not understanding the full perspective (trunk snake, ear fan, side wall) the sheep and the goat: just have to do good to get into heaven

Which event showed God's significance?

the incarnation: was universal and expressed God's place in creation.

Quote from Paul Knitter

we should be open to 'challenge contained in others perspectives'

give 2 e.g.'s of imperialism

1. Britain owned India 2. American missionary John Chau killed 2018 by tribesmen for trying to convert oldest pre-neolithic tribe Indian coast

What did Karl Barth argue?

c19th Protestant theologian, STRESSED importance of Christ for unique salvation, REVEALED through the Word and the Trinity. no other religion expresses God the same

What can allow grace?

Even wanting grace by following non-Christian religion is sufficient to receive God's grace.

What is the Christian belief?

Exclusivism - salvation is only offered through Christ. Some believe only Bible-believing Christians are true Christians. others: all who accept Christ are saved regardless.

What are the three strands to this debate? What are they about?

Exclusivism, inclusivity and pluralism - whether only one religion can know God, or many

Which 4 word term relates to exclusivism?

Extra ecclesial null salus- no salvation outside the church

Name 2 exclusivists

Henrik Kraemer and Karl Barth

2 philosophers for exclusivism and 2 others

Henrik Kraemer, Karl Barth, Bertrand Russel, Gavin D'Costa

Who was Raimon Panikkar similar to?

Hick - both recognised truth can be found without adding labels to beliefs.

What term is associated with exclusivism and missionary?

Imperialism - when a country thinks its Empire is superior so tries to convert others

What did Jesus teach?

In Palestine - that Christianity different to Judaism as if you believe Christ you will go to heaven. first Christians believed conversion was crucial as only way to save people (exclusivists)

Who is the main philosopher for pluralism and what did he believe?

John Hick c19th: initially convinced on need to convert others but having experienced multi-faith Birmingham he questioned whether loving God would deny them salvation, and went on to argue for pluralism.

Philosophers for pluralism

John Hick, Paul Knitter, Raimon Pannikar

Which philosopher did Hick use in his argument?

Kant- we see from our perspective but God's nature belongs in noumenal world so we aren't capable of knowing God as he really is.

Philosophers for inclusivism

Karl Rahner

Raimon Pannikar background

Mixed-race upbringing and India visit a turning point as impressed by ability of monks to overcome differences within faiths.

Which 2 others supported pluralism?

Paul Knitter c19th and Raimon Panikkar c19th

What did Gavin D'Costa argue?

c19th professor of theology, wrote about achieving salvation - argues it depends on the 'controlling beliefs' of your chosen community.

Which section from Matthews gives an example of what Jesus taught?

The Great Commission - Jesus said 'go and make disciples of all nations.'

What did Bertrand Russel argue?

c19th wrote 'Why I am not a Christian': all religions both untrue and harmful, they disagreed, so not more than one of them can be true.

What did Hick call for?

a 'Copernican revolution' in theology: C seen alongside other religions, not superior or 'the truth'

What did Hick argue that Christianity must do?

adapt itself for the present age and reinterpret doctrines as myths not historical facts

What is inclusivism?

although one religion can be seen as the normative means of salvation, anyone who accepts the central principles may also. Only certain demands from the religion must be carried out or followed.

what is the trinity?

belief in the one god as 1. the father in heaven 2. son of god 3. Holy Spirit

What did Henrik Kraemer argue?

c19th Christian exclusivist, NON-Christians can't achieve salvation through own faith systems, have to convert to Christianity, NO middle or 'partial truth'

What are the central doctrines of Christianity?

hearing the Gospel, Church, baptism, follow moral code, believe in God incarnation resurrection and virgin birth.

What did Hick believe religions were?

human construct which explains contradictory beliefs

4 WEAKNESSES of exclusivism

imperialism = ARROGANCE, caused religious WARS, rejection contradicts OMNI God, different UPBRINGING/ indoctrination.

What is pluralism?

many ways to salvation- one religion is one path.

What did Karl Rahner go on to argue about knowing of Christ?

once one hears about Christ they must convert to become Christian to experience fullness of God's grace and be saved.

What is exclusivism?

only one religion offers salvation (excludes others)

Which do you AGREE with?

pluralism - accept each others differences, due to 911 and wars, Christianity reinterpret for modern day/ secularisation else abandoned

4 STRENGTHS of inclusivism

provides middle path, values non-Christians, more loving view of God who wouldn't punish non-Christians through no fault of their own, recognises different upbringing

2 WEAKNESSES of pluralism

questionable whether following Christianity, undermines unique traditional Christian message in Bible that Christianity superior

4 STRENGTHS of pluralism

respects integrity of everyone, virtue encouraged, most loving view of God, Panikkar less contradictory than others

what is the Word?

revealed in 3 forms: Jesus, Bible and Church

term for salvation is only offered through Christ

sola Christus

What did Karl Rahner believe about non-Christians?

some can hold truths- 'anonymous Christians', 'inculpably ignorant', unaware if christ but turn to him unknowingly.

Why was inclusivism put forward?

some worried/ uncomfortable with idea salvation is impossible outside Christian Church, as omni God should make allowance for those following him in the wrong religion