Challenges from pluralism and diversity within a tradition
The exclusivist and inclusivist views expressed in the Christian Bible (Deuteronomy 6:5,
Joshua 23:16, John 14:6, Acts 4:12)
Exclusivism: the view that one’s religion is the only way to salvation
Inclusivism: the view that one’s religion is the ‘final’ way to salvation - there may be other
religions which have partial truth.
Religious pluralism: the view that all religions reflect divine truth.
Exclusivism
There are passages in the Bible that seem to suggest exclusivism.
In the Hebrew scriptures, God called out a group of people to follow him and dedicate
themselves to exclusive worship:
‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your
might’. (Deuteronomy 6:5)
Furthermore, to turn away from this exclusive worship brings consequences:
‘If you transgress the covenant of the Lord your God, which he enjoined on you, and go and
serve other gods and bow down to them, then the anger of the Lord will be kindled against you’
(Joshua 23:16)
In the New Testament Jesus appears to echo these exclusivist views:
‘Jesus said to him ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the father except
through me.”’ (John 14:6)
The early church is clear that salvation is only found through Jesus:
‘There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals
by which we must be saved.’ (Acts 4:12)
Theological statements developed that were exclusive in nature such as the dogma ‘extra
ecclesiam nulla salus’ (outside the church, no salvation).
The contribution of Karl Rahner (inclusivist)
Karl Rahner was one of the most important Catholic theologians of the 20th century.
The exclusivist and inclusivist views expressed in the Christian Bible (Deuteronomy 6:5,
Joshua 23:16, John 14:6, Acts 4:12)
Exclusivism: the view that one’s religion is the only way to salvation
Inclusivism: the view that one’s religion is the ‘final’ way to salvation - there may be other
religions which have partial truth.
Religious pluralism: the view that all religions reflect divine truth.
Exclusivism
There are passages in the Bible that seem to suggest exclusivism.
In the Hebrew scriptures, God called out a group of people to follow him and dedicate
themselves to exclusive worship:
‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your
might’. (Deuteronomy 6:5)
Furthermore, to turn away from this exclusive worship brings consequences:
‘If you transgress the covenant of the Lord your God, which he enjoined on you, and go and
serve other gods and bow down to them, then the anger of the Lord will be kindled against you’
(Joshua 23:16)
In the New Testament Jesus appears to echo these exclusivist views:
‘Jesus said to him ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the father except
through me.”’ (John 14:6)
The early church is clear that salvation is only found through Jesus:
‘There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals
by which we must be saved.’ (Acts 4:12)
Theological statements developed that were exclusive in nature such as the dogma ‘extra
ecclesiam nulla salus’ (outside the church, no salvation).
The contribution of Karl Rahner (inclusivist)
Karl Rahner was one of the most important Catholic theologians of the 20th century.
