How Should Christians View Other Religions

Religion is a subjective term; everyone has his or her own definition. Every religion doesn’t have the same God or traditions. How should Christians view other religions? This question has been around since AD 30, when Christians wondered what was their relationship with Judism (McGrath 259). Presently, the question is still being asked in western theology. Particularism, Inclusivism, and Pluralism are three popular approaches to this question.
The first of the three ideas to Christian understanding is Particularism. Particularists believe “only those who hear and respond to the Christian Gospel maybe saved” (McGrath 261). Meaning, only Christians can receive salvation. For particularism, knowledge of God is only known through Christ. By this, Particularism further excludes anyone whom retained information of God outside of Christ from being saved. Karl Barth takes the idea of salvation
Inclusivists argue that salvation isn’t just limited to Christians, that other religions are capable of salvation too. Karl Rahner created four theses to better explain the Inclusivist view. First, every other religion is inferior to Christianity. Second, non-Christian traditions, even though not true, can evoke God’s grace. Essentially, it’s not a person’s religious traditions practiced that bring salvation, but the lifestyle of which they live. Third, people can be saved without be aware that they are. Lastly, other religious traditions will not be replaced by Christian traditions.
Pluralism is the final approach to Christian understanding. Pluralist view of other religions in relation to Christianity is all religions are equal. Unlike Inclusivism, Christianity isn’t above any other religion, therefor all lead to the same salvation. John Hick explains that all religions don’t revolve around Christianity but God. He further argues that since they all revolve around God, everyone can be saved the same