----------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright 1994 by the Christian Research Institute.
----------------------------------------------------------------
COPYRIGHT/REPRODUCTION LIMITATIONS:
This data file is the sole property of the Christian Research
Institute. It may not be altered or edited in any way. It may
be reproduced only in its entirety for circulation as "freeware,"
without charge. All reproductions of this data file must contain
the copyright notice (i.e., "Copyright 1994 by the Christian
Research Institute"). This data file may not be used without the
permission of the Christian Research Institute for resale or the
enhancement of any other product sold. This includes all of its
content with the exception of a few brief quotations not to
exceed more than 500 words.
If you desire to reproduce less than 500 words of this data file
for resale or the enhancement of any other product for resale,
please give the following source credit: Copyright 1994 by the
Christian Research Institute, P.O. Box 500-TC, San Juan
Capistrano, CA 92693.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"The Challenge of Religious Pluralism" (an article from the
Viewpoint column of the Christian Research Journal, Summer 1990,
page 39) by Kenneth R. Samples.
The Editor-in-Chief of the Christian Research Journal is
Elliot Miller.
-------------
The twentieth century has brought forth unparalleled challenges
to the historic Christian faith. During this century,
Christianity's relevance and ultimate validity have been questioned
as never before. This assault on the central truth claims of
Christianity has come from two distinct fronts: atheistic secular
humanism and the growing climate of religious pluralism.
While secularism constitutes a significant threat, the issue of
religious pluralism poses an even greater challenge. The
technological advances of our century have resulted in a truly
global society. America in particular is a nation of diverse
ethnic, racial, and religious backgrounds. Our nation is founded
upon the principle of toleration, particularly in the area of
religion. We are guaranteed the right of free exercise of religion.
This principle of equal toleration of religion is so strong, in
fact, that the worst name one can be called today is an
"intolerant religionist." What has happened, however, is that our
idea of democracy has been applied to ultimate truth. Equal
toleration of religion has been taken to mean that each religion is
equally valid (i.e., all religions lead to God). This is a fatal
_non sequitur._
People who argue that all religions are equally valid (i.e.,
metaphysically true) either know little about the various religions
or have given up reasoning in a logical fashion. A cursory study of
the world religions reveals the fundamental and irreconcilable
differences that exist. For example, some religions affirm
_monotheism_ (one God); others affirm _polytheism_ (many Gods);
still others affirm _pantheism_ (all is God). And this is just the
beginning of the contradictory statements made about God. According
to the most basic laws of logic (e.g., the law of
non-contradiction), these different views about God cannot be
ultimately true _at the same time_ and _in the same respect._
Logically, the three world views could all be wrong, but they could
not all be correct. Again, if we are persuaded that our religion is
true, then we are faced with this uncomfortable state of
exclusivity. But could there be another alternative?
Some have argued that applying logic to religion is false or
misleading. They insist that ultimate truth comes only through
intuition. Their argument betrays them, however, because they must
first _presuppose_ the laws of logic to even attempt a refutation
of them (indeed, one must utilize them to even speak or think).
This is self-contradictory. To divorce oneself from these
self-evident laws of thought is to resign oneself to irrationality.
For most people, this price is too great to pay.
Could it be, however, that the contradictions among the world's
religions are only _apparent_ rather than _real?_ Could we
attribute the differences to man's inability to grasp the infinite
reality of God? The Eastern analogy often used to illustrate this
point is a group of blind men touching different parts of the same
elephant. The point is argued that people experience the same
reality differently because of their differing historical,
cultural, or philosophical biases. This argument has much to
commend it. However, Christian philosopher C. Stephen Evans, in his
book _Philosophy of Religion,_ points out two weaknesses. First, it
seems to imply a radical skepticism concerning our knowledge of God
-- the point being that no one can really know God satisfactorily.
Second, it does not account for the exclusive claims made by Jesus
Christ (Matt. 7:13; John 14:6; Acts 4:12). Jesus claims to be _the_
way, not _a_ way. Christianity's belief in the Incarnation (God
entering the world in the person of Jesus Christ) -- a direct and
historical revelation -- is in an entirely different category than
the speculative claims of other religions. Revealed religion is
specific and understandable. If its claim to be from God and not
man can be supported, then its teachings are authoritative and
trustworthy.
Most people who believe the "all religions lead to God" are
unaware of the insurmountable intellectual difficulties with this
view. Therefore, the claim that one religion is exclusively true is
often met with the charge that one is dogmatic, narrow-minded, or
just plain arrogant. While people can act arrogantly and often do,
to claim that one religion is exclusively true is not provincial or
narrow-minded. As noted earlier, the only logical conclusion, in
view of the multiple contradictions among the world's religions, is
that one religious world view is true and the rest false, or that
_all_ the respective religions are false. As one philosopher put
it, a world where all religions are simultaneously true would be a
"cosmic madhouse."
Additionally, if a person believes that one religion is
exclusively true because of special revelation, then his reason for
holding to it is that he believes it is _God's_ way, not his own.
For Christians, it is the way of Jesus that saves, not our way. We
merely repeat the claim made by Jesus Himself: "I am the way and
the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through
me" (John 14:6). Accepting and proclaiming God's way is therefore
not arrogance, it is genuine humility.
It should also be understood that a commitment to the veracity
of Christianity does not imply that every feature of non-Christian
religions is false. While salvific truth comes only in Jesus Christ
(special revelation), other religions may derive general truths
about God via natural revelation (i.e., nature or conscience). In
this way, differing religions may, and in fact do, share common
agreement on secondary doctrines and beliefs.
The challenge and danger of pluralism is found in its subtle
and tolerant claims. Secular humanism boldly claims that
Christianity is untrue and misleading. Pluralism, on the other
hand, states that while Christianity is _true,_ it is not the
_truth._ Pluralism's claim is not that Christianity is a false
religion, but that it is _a_ religion. This subtle teaching may be
the church's greatest apologetic challenge yet.
-------------
End of document, CRJ0074A.TXT (original CRI file name),
"The Challenge of Religious Pluralism"
release A, April 28, 1994
R. Poll, CRI
(A special note of thanks to Bob and Pat Hunter for their help in
the preparation of this ASCII file for BBS circulation.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The Christian Research Journal is published quarterly by the
Christian Research Institute (CRI) -- founded in 1960 by the late
Dr. Walter R. Martin. While CRI is concerned with and involved
in the general defense of the faith, our area of research
specialization is limited to elements within the modern religious
scene that compete with, assault, or undermine biblical
Christianity. These include cults (that is, groups which deny
essential Christian doctrines such as the deity of Christ and the
Trinity); the occult, much of which has become focused in the
contemporary New Age movement; the major world religions; and
aberrant Christian teachings (that is, teachings which compromise
or confuse essential biblical truth).
Regular features of the Journal include "Newswatch," witnessing
tips and book reviews.
CHRISTIAN RESEARCH JOURNAL RATES: (subject to change)
One Year Two Years
U.S. Residents [ ] 20.00 [ ] 37.00
Canadian (U.S. funds) [ ] 24.00 [ ] 44.00
Other Foreign (U.S. funds) [ ] 36.00 [ ] 66.00
Please make checks payable to CRI
To place a credit card order by phone, call us toll-free at:
(800) 2-JOURNAL
To subscribe to the Christian Research Journal, please print this
coupon, fill in the necessary information and mail it with your
payment to:
CRI, P.O. Box 500-TC, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92693-0500
[ ] Yes! I want to subscribe to the Christian Research Journal.
Name: ___________________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________
City, State, ZIP: __________________________________________
Country: _______________ Phone: ____________________________
------------------
YOURS FOR THE ASKING
Did you know that CRI has a wealth of information on various
topics that is yours for the asking? In fact, a free
subscription to the Christian Research Newsletter is yours if you
contact CRI and ask for one saying that you found out about the
offer from this computer text file. We offer a wide variety of
articles and fact sheets free of charge. Write us today for
information on these or other topics. Our first-rate research
staff will do everything possible to help you.
Christian Research Institute
P.O. Box 500-TC
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92693
(714) 855-9926
---------------
End of file.