Religious Pluralism and Christianity

How should Christians respond to the existence of other religions? Is Christianity the only path to salvation, or are there many paths to God? These questions have become increasingly urgent in a globalised world where people of different faiths live, work, and study together. This lesson examines the three main Christian approaches to religious diversity — exclusivism, inclusivism, and pluralism — and considers the theology and practice of inter-faith dialogue.

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The Threefold Typology

The standard framework for understanding Christian attitudes to other religions was established by Alan Race in Christians and Religious Pluralism (1983). He identified three positions: exclusivism, inclusivism, and pluralism.

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Exclusivism

Key Definition: Exclusivism holds that salvation is available only through explicit faith in Jesus Christ. Other religions, however sincere, cannot save their adherents. This is based on texts such as John 14:6 ("I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me") and Acts 4:12 ("There is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved").

Karl Barth (1886–1968)