Pluralism & Theology: Pluralism
Religious Studies: OCR A Level, topic 3.7.2
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.
Test yourself on Pluralism & Theology: Pluralism
What beliefs did John Hick hold about pluralism and God?
What did Raimon Panikkar believe about God?