Introducing Theologies of Religions

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 256 pages
• Published by: Orbis Books May 2002
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 1570754195
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-1570754197
• Book Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Weighs: 13.6 ounces

Reader Reviews
This year I have read various books on religious `pluralism', and I lament that I did not read Knitter before all the others in the field. Knitter has written a brilliant and highly commendable introduction to a `theology of religions' ie. pluralism. Knitter, with sagacity, and a very balanced approach, outlines the key issues and denotes major voices in each of his four models. These models explain how Christians can dialogue with other religions more seriously, and hopefully, even establish a partner-relationship. This world is full of various expressions of faith, and religious pluralism is not going away; if anything the various religious expressions are metastasizing and multiplying. Knitters' intent is to inform those in Christianity that the orthodoxy of past two millenniums `maybe' no longer germane to our ever changing and ever shrinking world. Throughout the book he stresses the point that there never has been, nor ever will be, one religious expression; there never will be `one truth' that will apply to everyone. There are and always will be different faiths, and as he points out, "Buddhist enlightenment and Christian salvation are different because they are really different. They are two different realities." Knitter illuminates the strengths of the `Exclusivistic/Replacement' model. Approximately 40% of US Christianity, which includes Fundamentalist, Evangelical, Charismatic and Pentecostal communities, believe the theology of the `Exclusivistic' model. This model stresses that without a personal relationship in Jesus Christ there is no salvation. That Christ is found only within Christianity, and that God wants there to be only one religion - Christianity - the "one true religion." The model the majority of mainline Protestant Churches and the Roman Catholic Church is the `Inclusivistic' model. This model stresses that God is to be found in other religions, but Jesus Christ has come to `complete' or `fulfill' these other religions. This model wants Christians to dialogue with other faiths, not just preach to them; the dialogue with other faiths should present Jesus as being the "full, final and fulfilling"of their religion. This model holds (as does the `Exclusivistic' model) that the Christian faith collapses, if, ultimately, the definitive claim for Jesus Christ is denied. The `Pluralist' and `Acceptance' models state that Jesus Christ is truly `a' Savior, but, not the only Savior. These two models press the point people and their cultures are more different than they are alike and there is no one truth that will apply to everyone. There is no such thing as "one absolute truth." Throughout the book Knitter reiterates that at the heart of Christianity is the question of whom Jesus is. In every model Knitter returns to this foundational question. Ultimately, for the `Pluralistic' and `Acceptance' models Jesus Christ is the stumbling block. But then if, in the case of the `Exclusivistic' model and `Inclusivistic' models Christian insist that Jesus Christ is the only Savior for all humankind, and that in Jesus God's expression is final . . . then there will be really can be no dialogue, nor relationship with other faiths. Jesus Christ, is in effect the crux of the book. Knitter is always fair and balanced, and writes in a down-to-earth manner in which layman and professionals alike will grasp more clearly the problems and nuances that are to be found in the current state theologies of religions. Refreshingly, there is no theological bashing of other models as you find in authors such as Herold Netland. He states at the beginning of his book, "My task is to describe and analyze, not take sides," this he does admirably. He has done a brilliant job in outlining the various approaches that Christian theology uses to engage other faiths. His introduction to "Theologies of Religion" is a resplendent work. Highly recommended.