DESCRIPTION:

Religious pluralism is the most significant challenge facing Christian theology and faith in the third millennium. Technically known as "theology of religions," this course introduces the student to various approaches to the issue of pluralism. The main focus will first be placed on a critical interaction with the pluralism of John Hick. Then mainline Protestant and Evangelical responses to pluralism will be studied with a view to constructing a responsible theology of religion.

No Christian theologian, let alone minister or missionary, can afford to ignore a careful consideration of the challenges of other religions to Christianity, whether one works in his/her own context or overseas. This course helps the student to sort out various alternatives and begin to think theologically about one's own convictions regarding the truth claims of Christianity and its mission.

The class will meet once a week for three hours of lecture, discussion, and student presentations.

Clendenin, D. B. Many Gods, Many Lords: Christianity Encounters World Religions. Baker, 1995.

Hick, J. A Christian Theology of Religions: The Rainbow of Faiths. Westminster, 1995.

Kärkkäinen, V.-M. Essays on "Theology of Religions" (photocopy).

Netland, H. Encountering Religious Pluralism: The Challenge to Christian Faith and Mission. InterVarsity Press, 2001.

Pinnock, C. A Wideness in God's Mercy: The Finality of Jesus Christ in a World of Religions. Zondervan, 1992.

Select one:

Heim, M.S. The Depth of the Riches: A Trinitarian Theology of Religious Ends. Eerdmans, 2001.

McDermott, G.R. Can Evangelicals Learn From World Religions? Jesus, Revelation & Religious Traditions. InterVarsity Press, 2001.

Ramachandra, V. The Recovery of Mission: Beyond the Pluralist Paradigm. Paternoster, 1996.

Stackhouse, J.G., ed. No Other Gods before Me? Evangelicals and the Challenge of World Religions. Baker, 2001.

Yong, A. Discerning the Spirit(s): Toward a Pentecostal-Charismatic Theology of Religions. Sheffield, 2000.

The student may also suggest his/her own choice to be accepted by the professor.

Cohn-Sherbok, D., ed. Many Mansions: Interfaith and Religious Intolerance. Bellew, 1992.

Copeland, E.L. A New Meeting of the Religions: Interreligious Relationships and Theological Questioning. Baylor University Press, 2001.

D'Costa, G. The Meeting of Religions and the Trinity. Orbis, 2000.

Dupuis, J. Toward a Christian Theology of Religious Pluralism. Orbis, 1999.

Fredericks, J.L. Faith Among Faiths: Christian Theology & Non-Christian Religions. Paulist, 1999.

Ramachandra, V. The Scandal of Jesus. InterVarsity Press, 2001.

Shenk, W. Who Do You Say That I AM? Christians Encounter Other Religions. Herald Press, 1997.

(1) 1,000 pages of required reading. (2) Reading responses: about 15 pages. (3) A research paper, 10 pages. (4) Student presentations in the class.