Views on Interreligious Dialogue and Salvation

By Robert H. MunsonAdjunct Faculty

Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary

Goal This presentation looks at two issues: (1)

Who can be saved, and (2) How do we have dialogue with people of other faiths.

These two issues have a strong relationship with each other-- in that how many relate to other faiths is connected with their view of who can be saved.

This presentation is developed as it relates to the perspective(s) of those who desribe themselves as Evangelical Christians.

Views on Salvation (from a Christian Perspective)

Particularist Salvation is only through Christ However, Christ is only accessible through

one specific church/denomination

Exclusivist Salvation is only through Christ. Only those who knowingly respond to

Christ are saved. The specific church/group is not important

Note: Some people use the terms “Particularist”

and “Exclusivist” interchangeably. However, it is useful to consider them

separately. Particularists, then, would go beyond

Exclusivists by adding the need for mediation by a specific group or person to have access to Christ.

Inclusivists Salvation is through Christ, and it is generally

accepted that Christ is the only means to salvation.

However, some groups may have access to salvation who do not personally know Christ.

Pluralists Some are .much like Inclusivists, but would

expand the availability of salvation to pretty much all groups.

Salvation may be through Christ, but knowledge or response to Christ is not necessary.

Pluralists Other Pluralists are more relativistic regarding

Christianity. Christians have no advantage over other groups.

Salvation may be seen in terms of goodness, or embracing the best in their own faiths.

Universalists God saves everyone regardless of their

behavior or their beliefs. There are different variations on this as to

whether it is through Christ, or whether their may be a time of suffering, or some form of another chance.

Where do Evangelicals fit into this? There are people who describe themselves

as Evangelicals in all of the above categories.

However, some of the categories do not really fit well with an Evangelical viewpoint of faith and the Bible.

Evanglicals Particularism is problematic, because it

appears to say that faith in Christ is not enough. One must be part of a specific group, or do a sacrament in a certain way, or have some secondary sign.

Pluralism and Universalism downplay the role of Jesus as the way, truth, and the life... as well as reducing the importance of faith for salvation.

Evangelicals Most Evangelicals would fit somewhere in the

area where Exclusivism and Inclusivism overlap. We must have faith in Christ, and salvation is

through Christ alone. But many Evangelicals would say that those who

have not heard, or who are mentally retarded, or die as infants, may be saved by the blood of Christ, without personally know Christ. Some may add other groups, such as devout members of the Jewish faith.

Inter-religious Dialogue Interreligious Dialogue often relates to the

views of salvation (though not always).

Apologetic Approach Those who are more Particularistic or

Exclusivistic tend to see other religions as false and deceptive. Therefore, the goal is not to learn anything from them, but to convert them to faith in Christ, or allegiance with one's religious group.

Therefore, there is a tendency to emphasize differences, and to debate with those of other faiths.

Relativistic Approach Those who are more Pluralistic or

Universalistic, tend to take a more positive or hopeful view of other faiths. As such, they tend to look toward similarities between Christianity and other faiths, and seek to “see God” in those faiths.

As such, there is a tendency to discuss non-judgmentally, without presuming truth or falseness of individual beliefs.

Clarification Approach In between the Apologetic and Relativistic

Approach, is the Clarification approach. It seeks neither an antagonistic or

relativistic view of dialogue. Rather, it recognizes that there are both similarities and differences between Christianity and other faiths.

The goal is mutual understanding.

In this course... The presumption is that the Clarification

Approach is most often the best. The Relativistic Approach does not promote truth or transformation. The Apologetic Approach is divisive and actually may inhibit conversion.

Clarification makes the Gospel clearer to those of other faiths... while removing barriers of stereotypes and misunderstandings.

Views on Interreligious Dialogue and Salvation

By Robert H. MunsonAdjunct Faculty

Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary

www.munsonmissions.org