3.7.2
Pluralism & Theology: Pluralism
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Religious Pluralism & Theory: Pluralism
Christianity exists in a religiously plural world. In the theology of religion, three broad perspectives are offered to address issues like truth and salvation - exclusivism, inclusivism & pluralism.
Theory of pluralism
- Pluralism is the view that there are many ways to salvation through different religions. Truth is not exclusive to just one religious tradition.
- All religions share the same goals and ideals. All religious believers are aiming to lead moral lives and understand God, the divine or ultimate reality. Any differences in beliefs and practices are just the result of human culture.
Quotation from Micah 6:8
- Pluralists might support their belief by using texts such as ‘And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God’ (Micah 6:8).
Hick's pluralist views
- Pluralists such as John Hick argue that an omnibenevolent God would not deny salvation to an individual if they were looking to serve God in a religion other than Christianity.
- Hick thought that God wills universal salvation and that the afterlife provides the opportunity for individuals to continue their spiritual journey.
- Hick argued that religion is flawed and limited. Therefore, Christian truth claims about Jesus must be understood as myth, not literal truth claims.
Panikkar's beliefs about God
- Raimon Panikkar was raised in the Hindu and Catholic traditions.
- He believed that God makes himself known to humans in a variety of ways. Humans need to be open to wherever truth may be found.
1Philosophy of Religion
1.1Ancient Philosophical Influences: Plato
1.2Ancient Philosophical Influences: Aristotle
1.3Ancient Philosophical Influences: Soul, Mind, Body
1.4The Existence of God - Arguments from Observation
1.5The Existence of God - Arguments from Reason
1.6Religious Experience
1.7The Problem of Evil
1.8The Nature & Attributes of God
1.9Religious Language: Negative, Analogical, Symbolic
2Religion & Ethics
2.1Natural Law
2.2Situation Ethics
2.3Kantian Ethics
2.4Utilitarianism
2.5Euthanasia
2.6Business Ethics
2.7Meta-Ethical Theories
2.8Conscience
3Developments in Christian Thought
3.1Saint Augustine's Teachings
3.2Death & the Afterlife
3.3Knowledge of God's Existence
3.4The Person of Jesus Christ
3.5Christian Moral Principles
3.6Christian Moral Action
3.7Development - Pluralism & Theology
3.8Development - Pluralism & Society
3.9Gender & Society
3.10Gender & Theology
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1Philosophy of Religion
1.1Ancient Philosophical Influences: Plato
1.2Ancient Philosophical Influences: Aristotle
1.3Ancient Philosophical Influences: Soul, Mind, Body
1.4The Existence of God - Arguments from Observation
1.5The Existence of God - Arguments from Reason
1.6Religious Experience
1.7The Problem of Evil
1.8The Nature & Attributes of God
1.9Religious Language: Negative, Analogical, Symbolic
2Religion & Ethics
2.1Natural Law
2.2Situation Ethics
2.3Kantian Ethics
2.4Utilitarianism
2.5Euthanasia
2.6Business Ethics
2.7Meta-Ethical Theories
2.8Conscience
3Developments in Christian Thought
3.1Saint Augustine's Teachings
3.2Death & the Afterlife
3.3Knowledge of God's Existence
3.4The Person of Jesus Christ
3.5Christian Moral Principles
3.6Christian Moral Action
3.7Development - Pluralism & Theology
3.8Development - Pluralism & Society
3.9Gender & Society
3.10Gender & Theology
Practice questions on Pluralism & Theology: Pluralism
Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.
- 1What beliefs did John Hick hold about pluralism and God?Fill in the list
- 2What did Raimon Panikkar believe about God?Multiple choice
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