The Myth of Christian Uniqueness: Toward a Pluralistic Theology of Religions

by John Harwood Hick (Editor), Paul F. Knitter (Editor)

A new model of Christian theology, the 'pluralistic' model, is taking shape, moving beyond the traditional models of exclusivism (Christianity as the only true religion) and inclusivism (Christianity as the best religion) toward a view that recognizes the possibility of many valid religions. In this volume, a widely representative group of eminent Christian theologians - Protestant and Catholic, male and female, from East and West, First and Third Worlds - explores genuinely new attitudes toward other believers and traditions, expanding and refining the discussion and debate over pluralistic theology. Contributors Gordon D. Kaufman, John Hick, Langdon Gilkey, Wilfred Cantwell Smith, Stanley J. Samartha, Raimundo Panikkar, Seiichi Yagi, Rosemary Radford Ruether, Marjorie Jewitt Suchocki, Aloysius Pieris, Tom F. Driver, and Paul F. Knitter.

Genres: Religion, Theology, Philosophy, Christianity, Nonfiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

Reviews

[Ryan Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thought-provoking and at times profound collection of essays that engage with the idea of pluralism within Christianity. These authors call for an evaluation of whether the dogma of Christian superiority has outlived its usefulness in today's world and whether a more open and reciprocal communication between world religions will assist in bringing to pass God's justice in the world. They make a compelling case that ethical concerns and the core of Christianity itself demands such an evaluation.

[Deborah Brunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book explores how we can move away from Christian exclusivism and Christian inclusivism to a pluralistic view of God and religion. That God can be working in the lives of people from their particular historical, cultural, linguistic, symbolic perspectives.

Some essays in this collection are amazing and others are just plain boring and did not speak to me.
Of particular interest besides the essays on the historical-cultural perspective were:
-Smith's essay on how Christianity in some ways has become a form of idolatry, a fantastic critique.
-samartha's essay 'The cross and the rainbow'.
-Pannikar's symbolic exploration of 'The Jordan, the Tiber and the Ganges.
and finally
-Reuther's 'Feminism and Jewish-Christian dialogue' who writes so well and I cannot wait to explore more of her writing in depth.

[Deky]

Sebagaimana buku "The Myth of God Incarnate," buku ini juga merupakan kumpulan tulisan dari para teolog pluralis. Meskipun demikian, isi buku ini lebih luas cakupannya dari buku The Myth of God Incarnate, karena mereka bukan hanya mendiskusikan tentang ketidakmutlakkan agama-agama dunia, melainkan juga mendiskusikan dasar, visi, prospek dsb dari teologi pluralisme yang mereka anut.
Intinya, mereka menganggap bahwa agama-agama dunia harus tetap dianggap unik. Unik, karena memang tidak ada duanya. Namun unik tidak sama dengan mutlak atau normatif atau final. Kekristenan, misalnya, adalah agama yang unik, namun tidak mutlak/final/absolut/normatif. Menganggap bahwa karena kekristenan itu unik dalam pengertian final/mutlak, berarti mempercayai sebuah mitos. Dan itulah mitos keunikan agama Kristen.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Almost 30 years old, this collection! Some very good essays. (Rosemary Ruether's might take the palm, for mine.) More successful as a cumulative critique of old attachments than in advancing a constructive proposal. Christian Uniqueness Reconsidered is next on the syllabus. I've not read it before, and expect it will be helpful to students in sharpening up some terms and thinking through some implications, toward a more well-considered position of their own.

[Hank · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another book that helped in the deconstruction process. It has some issues that I am not ready to deal with, and ones that are difficult for me to process through. But it's a good brain work out.