Exclusivism: Pluralism And The Love Of God

In this contemporary era more people do not identify with God and in turn have become more skeptical of God. This shift can be seen in Thomas Paine’s The Age of Reason; which is an excellent example of deism. Paine spares no detail on why he does not believe in the Bible and why he does not believe God is continually working in the world. Jonathan Edwards’ sermon, A Divine and Supernatural Light, on the other hand, adamantly believes in the Bible and that God is actively present in the world. Edwards’s provides an excellent example of Christianity. These two authors create a snapshot of the prevailing, in Edwards’s case, and emerging, in Paine’s case, worldviews of their respective era.

Using proven facts and methodologies, the author supports her argument that various faiths can coexist outside of a singular perspective. Ward acknowledges every faith has defining guidelines followers must embrace, but maintains the

The book is composed of twenty chapters each with a separate contributing author(s). Each chapter has the same format as an essay with a brief overview of the section

Tertullian’s question has stimulated many debates within one’s self, and within many groups. People have to “survey their own reactions” they have to find their own answer, and they have to find the “harmonious fusion” between the Gospel and the world as we know it (Massaro pg. 20).” Massaro says that “failure to distinguish between religious and political functions deprives society of the benefits of specialization in distinct spheres of activity (Massaro pg. 22).” This quote says that when individuals cannot find the common ground between religion and politics, many good things that both sides can accomplish are lost, and neither side wins. Massaro continues to discuss how a “theocratic approach misapplies religious zeal and idealism to the political world of realism and compromise (Massaro pg. 22).”

Stephen Prothero’s “God Is Not One” is a survey of world religions, comprising vital information on a vast array of different sets of belief. As someone who has never studied religion before, nor belongs to a particular faith, the variability within these religions is staggering. One might be satisfied to define religion as “how a person goes about believing in God,” but soon finds that even that definition has its holes. Thankfully, “God Is Not One” does an amazing job of cluing its reader into the nuances that are sometimes forgotten about the religions it approaches.

The following essay shall consider the given extract from Schleiermacher’s “On Religion; Speeches to its Cultured Despisers”. Schleiermacher’s fifth and final speech explores the range of religions presentations viewed across the world and how this impacts the idea of the plurality of God. Not only this but in his conclusion, Schleiermacher puts forward the idea that Christianity can be viewed as separate from all other religions as the most accurate form of religion, and his reasons for this will take up the majority of this essay 's discussion.

Ronald H. Nash begins his book responding the position of pluralism in regards to the exclusivity of Jesus Christ, mainly directed at John Hick, who was a leading proponent of pluralism until his death earlier this year. Nash was an evangelical Baptist theologian and apologist, who subscribed to the Calvinist tradition. Within his book, Nash tackles several of Hick’s arguments relating to the pluralism and universality of Christianity. Nash reveals in chapters 1-6, the evolution of Hick’s philosophy of pluralism and understanding of pluralism, which conflicts with the Christian’s view of the

Christianity is one of the dominant religions on the planet, and Christian Theism has played a major role in shaping the development of Western culture. Thanks to the pioneering efforts of Christian missionaries, Christian doctrine has even influenced the views of non-Christians. Nevertheless, the contemporary world is a pluralistic and diverse one, and postmodern perspectives have arisen to challenge the wide-ranging influence of Christian Theism. The purpose of this paper is to show how a belief in Christian Theism can help one understand the nature and meaning of life, and this paper will show evidence that this belief brings both uniformity and order to everything.

In chapter four, Nash attempts to look at the logical fallacies of Hick’s position. He examines other pluralist claims against exclusivism and its supposed outdated reasoning. The other pluralist that he cites is W.C. Smith, and Paul Knitter. Nash presents these claims by talking about the basic understanding of logic. Nash main point is to point out the truth and validity of the very basic principles of this argument. He points out several rules of logic, in addition, he points out, the idea of truth and its ties to propositions. Then he moves on to differentiate truth and logic with religious claims: “while belief certainly includes more than mental assent to proposition, belief always includes believing something, and that something is a proposition.” It is imperative to note, just like any other claim religion should be looked at in the same way. Nash disagrees with W.C. Smith also. Nash noted, “Smith’s way of handling religious “truth” might appear to solve a serious problem for pluralists (the problem created by their apparent rejection of logic), it only raises new and equally troubling questions.” Therefore, pluralist like these two men that downplays logic and truth will never be able to support their beliefs.

Hick challenges theologians to transform Christian Religion to address effectively the modern world, which is now undoubtedly pluralistic. He both criticizes what he considers outmoded Christian in light of recent developments in religious epistemology, while simultaneously suggesting new possibilities for the enrichment of Christian experience as religious experience. While some of these suggestions are certainly open to debate, it is nonetheless certain that Hick, like Columbus, has discovered the "new world"—a new pluralistic world—which all future theology must take into account (although it is clear that, despite this recent discovery, the Indians—though this time the real Indians—have long since beaten us here as well). In light of his

The first theme of Youngblood’s book is Monotheism. A basic understanding that makes the reader aware that God is ‘…God, and there is no other” (Isaiah

As I read Émile Durkheim’s classic piece, The Elementary Forms of Religious Life, I experienced a whirlwind of thoughts, expressing agreement, disagreement, and complete puzzlement over the details of his logic and conclusions. As far as my essay goes, I will attempt to put these thoughts in a neat, coherent order like the one mentioned above.

Religion is a universal term that is widely used for a human’s belief system. The views on how religions compare to one another can be defined differently. One view explains religions using a united belief system by their common goals. Another view explains that different religions are just a shared essence and have vast differences between their specific traditions and customs. This shared essence, but vastly different theory, is explained by Stephen Prothero, using the term “pretend pluralism”. There are many major and minor religions that have guided people in their morals and beliefs. Religions, such as Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, and Buddhism. All five of these current, major religions have vast differences, but may have common goals in their morals, traditions, etc. Two of the most practiced religions, of these five, are Christianity and Islam. These two religions are constantly at battle with one another, but what many people don’t see is that there are just as many similarities between these two religions as there are differences. Through this paper we will discover the underlying similarities and differences between these two religions and, hopefully, conclude that supports either the common goal theory or the “pretend pluralism” theory.

Although, Rome may have reached its height of greatness, in 476 AD the Roman Empire cease to exist. In the early centuries, Rome was able to conquer lots of land and had won many wars. Rome was led by great leaders such as Augustus , who defeated Antonius and Cleopatra and in result granted him full and all control over Rome. The expansion of Rome and having great leaders and military did make Rome at one point powerful and great, but as the years passed Rome started to decline and it eventually fell. There were a series of events that caused and led to the fall of Rome.

Cannabis is the most used illicit drug amongst university students in the UK and western countries are experiencing changing trends concerning its acceptance. As of 2015, over 10 European countries and over 20 U.S states have either decriminalised or legalised the drug (Reuter, 2010) (Higson, 2015),. In the UK, the call for the decriminalisation of cannabis is also growing. A recent petition to parliament for its legalisation in October 2015, gained over 200,000 signatures (Bolton, 2015). As its decriminalisation is becoming increasingly contested in policy making, further research on its effects should be done to adequately assess whether the action of decriminalisation could prove more beneficial or detrimental to the public.