Wednesday 29 April 2009
What are you - Transformationist? Exclusivist?......
For many years now Christian theology of religions has been dominated by what has become known as the salvific typology originally developed by pluralist theologian Alan Race in his book Christianity and Religious Pluralism. The typology has come under a good degree of criticism and has also been defended in response. Although I think the typology is to be found wanting on a number of points I like to use it as a teaching tool - as a way of getting folk engaged with some of the questions involved in the exploration of Christianity in an inter faith world. Why not take a look at this particular presentation of the typology by Paul McKenna - slightly different to Race's original typology - on the Scarboro Missions website and decide for yourself are you Pluralist, Exclusivist, Inclusivist or Transformationist and then vote in the poll on the right hand side of this page......
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Pluralist with transformationist tendencies! Try the idea that there is one salvific lifeboat (not a multiplicity) in which there are different understandings of who and what God is. Within that metaphor, only Christians are "sure" that they are saved "by grace alone" The other faiths -similar as they are in many ways - only hope for a form of salvation, in all cases contingent on something other than a constitutive, cosmic change in history (Jesus Christ) For our Jewish brothers and sisters it could be seen as living faithfully and in accordance with the Torah and other rules developed therefrom. For our Muslem brothers and sisters it is all dependent on "the will" of Allah who is all powerful, and will notice you and your merits. With our Hindu friends it can often be seen as to do with the accumulation of Karma. I could go on - the difference is (and I admit that it is tenuous) that many Christians believe that they are already saved and can therefore live "free". For many others there is a determination to "do good" so as to build up divine credit and gain salvation. I think that's why I'm a Christian - I believe that God is "All Powerful" but that the "power" is the power of love for all his created beings.
Love the blog!!
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