7: Religious Pluralism and Theology
Theological The view that only Christianity offers the complete means of salvation
Exclusivism
Theological The view that although one's own religion is the normative means of salvation those who
Inclusivism accept the general principles ('anonymous Christians') may also receive salvation
Theological There are many ways to salvation through different religious traditions
Pluralism
Exclusivism Many Christians believe that Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross was a unique even of
cosmic significance when Jesus brought salvation to the world. Only through hearing
and responding to the gospel by faith in Christ can a person be saved. He did not come
simply to offer another route to haven but to provide the only way to God. Some people
prefer the term particularist because it is less negative, arrogant and of implies a lack of
respect for others
Narrow Salvation is only available to people who belong to their denomination. The Catholic
Exclusivism Church preaches that there is no salvation outside the Church. Only from the 1960s has
this extended to other denominations. Augustine and Calvin both believe that only
certain elect will receive salvation
Broad All people who accept Christ are saved, regardless of their Church or style of worship
Exclusivism
Biblical 'Salvation is found n no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to
support for mankind by which we must be saved'
Exclusivism 'Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved'
'I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one gets to the Father except through me'
'Whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed
in the name of God's one and only son'
'for it is by grace you have been saved, through faith [...] not by works'
'Thou shalt have no other God's before me'
Gavin Distinguished between restrictive-access and universal-access exclusivists. Restrictive
D'Costa access (Calvin) believe that only those who respond to God in their earthly lives and
those who God has chosen will be saved. Universal-access believe that God wants
everyone to come to love him so there is a possibility for salvation after death e.g. in
purgatory. He was a universal-access Christian as he believed salvation would be offered
to everyone
Hendrik Although there are good parts to all religions they must be seen as a whole. If they do not
Kraemer accept Christ they are not the truth. Non- Christian religions are misguided attempts by
humans to try and find the truth for themselves. Non-Christians can only achieve salvation
if they convert
Karl Barth Theology of the Word. Knowledge of God can only be found where God chooses to
reveal himself: through Jesus, the living word of God who exemplifies God's love for
humanity; the Bible, the witness to the revelation of Christ; and the Church, which
spreads Jesus' message to the people. Jesus is the most important and only truly reliable
revelation of God. God cannot be found through human effort, only through Jesus - the
essential full and complete revelation of God who brings salvation
Karl Barth His argument could be undermined by the fact he believes God reveals himself
evaluation when/how he chooses which could leave the possibility of him choosing to reveal himself
in other ways
William Lane Defended exclusivism. He believed God has 'middle-knowledge' - he knows what people
Craig would have done in different circumstances and if they would have accepted the
Christian message. It also enables God to judge the souls of babies and children. But isn't
this just universalism because everyone would accept the Christian message in some
circumstances
Exclusivism Calvin and Augustine believe that it is a sign of God's supreme love that he offers
Strengths salvation at al as people are undeserving of it.
It is just that God only saves those who accept him - it would be unjust to save those who
reject him along with those who accept him.
It is rational to say that not all religions are right because they all teach such different
things.
It recognised the importance of missionary work - they believe it is an essential duty to
lead more people to salvation.
It makes sense with martyrdom
A God of love would not save someone who didn't want to be saved.
Theological The view that only Christianity offers the complete means of salvation
Exclusivism
Theological The view that although one's own religion is the normative means of salvation those who
Inclusivism accept the general principles ('anonymous Christians') may also receive salvation
Theological There are many ways to salvation through different religious traditions
Pluralism
Exclusivism Many Christians believe that Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross was a unique even of
cosmic significance when Jesus brought salvation to the world. Only through hearing
and responding to the gospel by faith in Christ can a person be saved. He did not come
simply to offer another route to haven but to provide the only way to God. Some people
prefer the term particularist because it is less negative, arrogant and of implies a lack of
respect for others
Narrow Salvation is only available to people who belong to their denomination. The Catholic
Exclusivism Church preaches that there is no salvation outside the Church. Only from the 1960s has
this extended to other denominations. Augustine and Calvin both believe that only
certain elect will receive salvation
Broad All people who accept Christ are saved, regardless of their Church or style of worship
Exclusivism
Biblical 'Salvation is found n no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to
support for mankind by which we must be saved'
Exclusivism 'Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved'
'I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one gets to the Father except through me'
'Whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed
in the name of God's one and only son'
'for it is by grace you have been saved, through faith [...] not by works'
'Thou shalt have no other God's before me'
Gavin Distinguished between restrictive-access and universal-access exclusivists. Restrictive
D'Costa access (Calvin) believe that only those who respond to God in their earthly lives and
those who God has chosen will be saved. Universal-access believe that God wants
everyone to come to love him so there is a possibility for salvation after death e.g. in
purgatory. He was a universal-access Christian as he believed salvation would be offered
to everyone
Hendrik Although there are good parts to all religions they must be seen as a whole. If they do not
Kraemer accept Christ they are not the truth. Non- Christian religions are misguided attempts by
humans to try and find the truth for themselves. Non-Christians can only achieve salvation
if they convert
Karl Barth Theology of the Word. Knowledge of God can only be found where God chooses to
reveal himself: through Jesus, the living word of God who exemplifies God's love for
humanity; the Bible, the witness to the revelation of Christ; and the Church, which
spreads Jesus' message to the people. Jesus is the most important and only truly reliable
revelation of God. God cannot be found through human effort, only through Jesus - the
essential full and complete revelation of God who brings salvation
Karl Barth His argument could be undermined by the fact he believes God reveals himself
evaluation when/how he chooses which could leave the possibility of him choosing to reveal himself
in other ways
William Lane Defended exclusivism. He believed God has 'middle-knowledge' - he knows what people
Craig would have done in different circumstances and if they would have accepted the
Christian message. It also enables God to judge the souls of babies and children. But isn't
this just universalism because everyone would accept the Christian message in some
circumstances
Exclusivism Calvin and Augustine believe that it is a sign of God's supreme love that he offers
Strengths salvation at al as people are undeserving of it.
It is just that God only saves those who accept him - it would be unjust to save those who
reject him along with those who accept him.
It is rational to say that not all religions are right because they all teach such different
things.
It recognised the importance of missionary work - they believe it is an essential duty to
lead more people to salvation.
It makes sense with martyrdom
A God of love would not save someone who didn't want to be saved.
