Religious pluralism and theology

Question 1

Exclusivism

Answer 1

The view that only one religion offers the complete means of salvation

Question 2

Inclusivism

Answer 2

The view that although one’s own religion is the normative means of salvation, those who accept its central principles may also receive salvation

Question 3

Pluralism

Answer 3

The view that there are many ways to salvation through different religious traditions

Question 4

Noumenal

Answer 4

A Kantian term to describe reality as it really is, unfiltered by the human mind

Question 5

Phenomenal

Answer 5

A Kantian term to describe reality as it appears to us, filtered by the human mind/ as we experience It

Question 6

Liberalism

Answer 6

An ideology that develops its laws based on the principle that humans flourish when given maximum freedoms and minimum control by governments

Question 7

Plural society

Answer 7

A society that tolerates many different beliefs and lifestyles

Question 8

Religious pluralism

Answer 8

The varieties of beliefs and practices within a particular religion, as well as varieties of different religions and their beliefs and practices

Question 9

The epistemological problem

Answer 9

To what extent may the truth claims of non- Christian religions be considered true within Christian theology

Question 10

The soteriological problem

Answer 10

Can people of non-christian religions or who hold no religious belief receive God’s salvation?

Question 11

Epistemology

Answer 11

The study of knowledge

Question 12

Soteriology

Answer 12

The study of salvation or liberation according to Christian teaching and the different ways in which humans achieve this

Question 13

Phenomenology

Answer 13

Phenomenological existence refers to the experience of things as we encounter them and the structures of consciousness

Question 14

Solus Christus

Answer 14

Only christ- exclusivists maintain that Christ’s death was necessary and it is only through Christ that anyone can be saved

Question 15

Extra ecclesium nullas salus

Answer 15

No salvation outside the church- Inclusivists reject the idea that you must be a member of the visible institution of the church to be saved

Question 16

Votum ecclesiae

Answer 16

Church of faith- or implicit faith in the church. Inclusivists maintain that you can be an implicit member of the invisible church of faith through your desires and by the way you live your life

Question 17

Fides ex auditu

Answer 17

Hearing and understanding through the bible

Question 18

RAE

Answer 18

Restrictive access exclusivism. Places emphasis on the sinfulness of human nature and the uniqueness of Christ as the only means of salvation. Calvinists

Question 19

UAE

Answer 19

Universal access exclusivism. “In Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself”. “The world” UEA interprets to mean everyone. Roman Catholics and protestants

Question 20

Sensus divinitas

Answer 20

Sense of the divine

Question 21

Global theology

Answer 21

An overarching pluralist philosophical and theological framework to aid greater understanding between world religions

Question 22

Reality- centered life

Answer 22

John Hick’s description of the spiritual or religious life focused on the real. A reality centered life is unselfish and concerned with the welfare of others

Question 23

Pluriform theological pluralism

Answer 23

Argues that there are many reals as they are experienced by each religion, each religion has its own authentic version of salvation, liberation, or knowledge

Question 24

Ethical theological pluralism

Answer 24

All religions share a soteriological aim of liberating humans from injustices, intolerance, suffering, and falsehood. Therefore all religions are soteriocentric, not reality centered

Question 25

Soteriocentric

Answer 25

Salvation centered

Question 26

An sich

Answer 26

An unknowable object (God)

Question 27

Sufficient condition

Answer 27

Is where it is enough for something to be the case

Question 28

Necessary condition

Answer 28

Where something is required for it to be the case

Question 29

The controlling beliefs which D’costa refers to include:

Answer 29

1 God and creation 
2 Sola Christus 
3 Extra ecclisium nulla salus
4 Fides ex auditu
5 Sin and election 
6 Eschatology

Question 30

God and creation (D’costa)

Answer 30

God alone created the world / holy trinity

Question 31

Sin and election (D’costa)

Answer 31

Humans are fallen and incapable of knowing God fully and for themselves. God calls and elects some for salvation

Question 32

Eschatology

Answer 32

God promises a future state of bliss or “Beatific vision” after death for the elect or damnation for the wicked

Question 33

The key question, from a Christian perspective, in the theology of religion debate is:

Answer 33

What are the necessary and sufficient conditions of salvation?

Question 34

Middle knowledge

Answer 34

God also knows with perfect knowledge what people would have done if they were in different circumstances. Enables God to know whether people would have believed the Christian message if only they had the chance to hear it

Question 35

3 different inclusivist positions:

Answer 35

1. accept the idea that salvation is still possible for the individual who turns to a Christian faith only after death
2. God’s omnibenevolence leaves open a possibility of salvation even for non-Christians
3. Truth found in other religions other than Christianity is the work of Christ

Question 36

Anonymous Christian (Rahner)

Answer 36

In the decisions and attitudes, they adopt they are turning to christ without knowing it and they are not excluded from salvation, they lead lives that are open to God’s grace

Question 37

Structural inclusivism (SI)

Answer 37

The positions that any religion whose structures develop an openness to God’s grace as revealed in Jesus Christ may receive God’s salvation

Question 38

Copernicus

Answer 38

Caused a huge shift in the way scientists of his day understood the universe, the earth was not the center but that was one of many of the planets that orbited the sun.

Question 39

Theocentric

Answer 39

Centered around God (Hick supported)

Question 40

Christocentric

Answer 40

Centered around Christ

Question 41

Historical Jesus (Panikkar)

Answer 41

A particular human in history who Christians have beliefs about. E.G Messiah son of God

Question 42

Transhistorical Christ (Panikkar)

Answer 42

Who we can have a personal relationship with. This emphasizes the universality of the Christian faith. Christ is the symbol of the whole of reality

Question 43

Inter-faith dialogue

Answer 43

Discussing religious beliefs between members of different religious traditions, with an intention of reaching a better understanding

Question 44

Particularism

Answer 44

Another name for exclusivism, meaning that salvation can only be found in one particular way

Question 45

Unicity

Answer 45

The fact of being or consisting of one, or of being united as a whole

Question 46

Normative way to salvation

Answer 46

The usual or ideal way to be saved, but not necessarily the only one

Question 47

Inculpably ignorant

Answer 47

Referring to those who, through no fault of their own, have no knowledge of God

Question 48

Restrictive inclusivism

Answer 48

God makes provisions for individuals who have not heard the Gospel but respond positively to natural, conscience, etc. However, non-christian religions are not salvific- they just at best, are good preparation for salvation

Question 49

Unitary theological pluralism

UTP (John Hick)

Answer 49

Hick argues for the positive contributions of Christianity within the world but not the superiority of it over other religions. He questions whether a loving God would deny people salvation just because of their cultural heritage.