Making Salvation Inclusive Due to Pluralism - Essay Example

Pluralism answers the several questions raised concerning the question of what religion is likely to be true and can offer salvation among all the religions in this world (Hick, 293). Pluralism, therefore, states that it is possible to achieve salvation in all the religions of the world based on the approach of any religion. This then clear suggests that salvation is not based or confined to Christians alone. This is also supported by the fact that all moral beliefs held by various religions are similar and present no significant differences in any aspect. Despite their different religions, many people all over the world criticize immoral acts like sexual abuse among others (Kärkkäinen, 10). Every religion at least believes in a certain being that is believed to be transcendent. It is, therefore, true that salvation is in all religions according to what they worship. This then calls for Christians to put away the idea of exclusive salvation and involve other religions.
According to Hick (295), widening and extending the concept of salvation to all people outside the Christian religion means that all people of the world will recognize the different religious traditions of every religion without criticizing their way of worship. This then should put forward the idea that all people of the world worship the same being who is believed to be God. This is evidenced in various doctrines in the spiritual scriptures of the different religions like the Bible used by Christians and the Islam Quran.
Extending the scope of salvation to all people of the world will therefore mean the embracing of universalism in the world. This means that all people will learn to accept the idea that religion is for all people in the world. In that case, individuals should respect and accept the beliefs and principles of other religions outside their own religion (Vanhoozer, 154). Embracing this idea will therefore enhance peaceful correlations among people of different religions. However, it is certain that the idea of holding on to pluralism will effectively last for long.
Despite the efforts to make people live for universalism, pluralism has never proven to really consider several particulars different religious frameworks. Not all people from different religions will agree with the idea that various religious of the world concur in many aspects (Netland, 52). This therefore may prove hard to bring together people of different religions to hold one conceptual idea concerning the issue of salvation. The fact may remain that all the religions have a similar aim and goal; that is to attain salvation. However, it will be very hard for pluralism to shape people’s perspectives of various religions. Some Christians may find it hard to accept the idea that God’s salvation is for everyone who seeks with sincerity despite the truth or falsity of their religion.
Netland (52) explains that number has tried to bring together people of different religions to unite them under complete abandonment of issues of salvation and truth claims of different religions of the world. Read More