Pluralism Flashcards
(12 cards)
Give Bible quotes in support of exclusivism.
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John)
“There is no other name under heaven given to men by which we can be saved.” (Acts)
“Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark)
Give theological support for exclusivism.
Extra ecclesiam nulla salus. (Cyprian of Carthage C3rd).
(Outside the church, no salvation). Similarly, Protestants believe there is no salvation outside faith in Christ, though this gives the church a different role.
Give Biblical support for inclusivism.
“I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them in as well, and they will listen to my voice. There will be one flock and one shepherd.” (John)
“God wants all people to be saved, he wants them all to come to know the truth.” (1 Timothy)
“Jesus dies for the sins of the whole world.” (John)
Paul doesn’t condemn the Greeks for being unaware of God. Instead, he praises them for their openness to the Unknown God. (Acts 17)
“Not everyone says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew)
How is exclusivism supported in the OT?
God commanded dedication to exclusivist worship (“Love the Lord with all your heart and all your soul and with all your might” (Deuteronomy))
“If you transgress the convenant of the Lord, (he) will be kindled against you, and you shall perish.” (Josh)
Give a quote from Kilby on Rahner’s theology.
“Rahner’s rather daring claim, is that everyone is in some sense aware of God whether they realise it or not.”
Give a quote from Rahner on God’s grace.
“grace… surrounds man, even the sinner, the unbeliever, as the inescapable setting of his existence.”
Give Rahner’s first thesis.
“Christianity understands itself as the absolute religion, intended for all men, which cannot recognise any other religion besides itself of equal right.”
Give Rahner’s second thesis.
“… a non-Christian religion can be recognised as a lawful religion, without denying the error God wants to reach out to all human beings and depravity contained within it.”
A lawful religion is one that provides a way to find a right relationship with God. Other religions may be lawful to a lesser degree (e.g. Judaism). We must accept that God may use other religions to reach people. Not that these religions are true/ right, but that they are part of his plan for salvation.
Give Rahner’s third thesis.
“If the 2nd thesis is correct, then a non-Christian must already be regarded as an anonymous Christian.”
Doesn’t mean Christianity is not needed; Christianity is the final step on the journey of the anonymous Christian.
Give Rahner’s fourth thesis.
“the Church will not regard herself as the exclusive community of those who have a claim to salvation but… as a hidden reality even outside the visible church.”
God is greater than the church and works outside its walls.
Give a quote from St. Paul supporting Rahner.
“What, therefore you do now and yet worship that I proclaim to you.” (Paul to the Greeks upon discovering their shrine to an Unknown God and enlightening them of Christianity).
