Thursday, April 19, 2007

Class Notes on Pluralism & Inclusivism

(Originally written April 19, 2007 in Book 15)

The Grace and Redemption Debate

Is Christianity the only way?

Bashful Pluralism

William Alston: The Christian is able to claim that his religion is exclusively true based on his mystical Christian experience. But, a member of any other religion is also entitled to make this claim based on their mystical experience.

An exclusive religion can only be one of two things: true or false. But, if it is true then it is exclusively true. An exclusive religion cannot be true alongside other religions.

Inclusivism

Even though they may not know it, they are really believing the principles of your religion. (i.e. whether or not we realize it we are all hindus).

Karl Rahner:

People need not manifest explicit faith in Christ to be saved. There may be something implicit in your life that leads you to Christ.

"The Anonymous Christian"

Knowledge and judgments all refer ultimately to God.

Knowledge of an object -> Being itself -> God
Moral judgments -> Absolute value -> God

Vatican II's Hierarchy of Salvation (based on Rahner's philosophy)

The Church
Eastern Orthodox & Protestants
Jews
Muslims
Polytheists/Animists
Moral Atheists

No comments:

Post a Comment