REL 253-4 : Foundations of Mission

Religious pluralism is the greatest challenge facing Christianity in today's Western culture. Increasingly, Christianity is seen as just one among many valid paths to God. In Four Views on Salvation in a Pluralistic World, four perspectives are presented by their major proponents: normative pluralism (all ethical religions lead to God), inclusivism (salvation is universally available, but is established by and leads to Christ), salvation in Christ (agnosticism regarding those who haven’t heard the gospel), and salvation in Christ alone (salvation depends on explicit personal faith in Christ alone).

D.A. Carson presents clear, compelling thoughts on salvation through Christ alone. The book addresses the growing popularity of pluralistic theology.

Today many question the idea that there is only one way to heaven (or that Christianity is the only true faith) -- even some people who identify themselves as Christians. In a world where we are likely to have neighbors of differing faiths, to profess Jesus as the only Savior may be viewed as arrogance and intolerance. Religious "pluralism" is gaining popularity. Ronald Nash believes that one's position on the issue is crucial to an understanding of the Christian faith and sees pluralism as a significant threat to Christianity.

What about those who have never heard? The traditional position--that apart from an explicit faith in Jesus no one is saved--seems to have fallen out of favor with many evangelicals. This is a passionate but irenic response to the arguments of those who believe that the unevangelized can (or might) be saved apart from knowledge of Jesus Christ. Building on the insights of others, nine scholars introduce readers to the ongoing discussion. Key questions--Is general revelation sufficient? Do holy pagans exist? Must faith be explicit? Is exclusivism unjust?--are probed and answered from a biblical, theological and historical perspective.

How can God be just if he condemns those who have never heard the gospel to an eternity in hell? This book provides a biblical, historical and theological investigation of this major unresolved problem in evangelical theology.