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AR 21:41 - Why religious pluralism is "an untenable option"
In this issue:
CHRISTOLOGY - scholar calls the savior a "marginal Jew," criticizing his "provincialism and apparent lack of a system of moral values"
RELIGIOUS PLURALISM - a 'skillful analysis of the changing religious landscape' and how to respond to its multiple truth claims
Apologia Report 21:41 (1,314)
November 16, 2016
CHRISTOLOGY
A Marginal Jew: Rethinking the Historical Jesus; Probing the Authenticity of the Parables, by John P. Meier [1] -- Carolyn M. Craft of Longwood University explains in Library Journal (Express Reviews, n.d.) that Meier, who teaches theology at the University of Notre Dame, is a Roman Catholic priest and author of the series' previous three volumes - with seven projected in the set. He "draws careful distinctions between Christology (theology) and the study of the historical Jesus (history) and between Christian ethics and Jesus's teachings about Halacha (Jewish law). ... Meier is forthright about the positives and negatives he uncovers that point to Jesus's provincialism and apparent lack of a system of moral values."
"Volume 4 of this series by Meier ... focuses on Mosaic law and love in the historical Jesus" (Choice Reviews, Sep '09). With it, Meier "seeks to maintain a distinction between Christian moral theology and the teaching of the historical Jesus about the Jewish law. In particular, Meier strives to avoid any 'Christianization' of the teaching of Jesus regarding the law, including in connection with the prohibition of divorce and oaths and with Sabbath observance and purity rules. Meier examines the role of the love commands in the teaching of Jesus, with a concern for his view of the law as a whole. He contends that Jesus regarded love as the law's primary value and requirement. He also argues that Jesus offered neither a total rejection nor a total acceptance of the law, and that this enigma cannot be explained away for the sake of simplicity. This book is a model of careful historical scholarship...."
"Meier devotes [his] fifth volume to the historicity of the parables of Jesus and whether they come from the historical Jesus. Using familiar criteria of historical authenticity, Meier contends that most of the parables attributed to Jesus cannot be traced, based on historical criteria, back to him. ... The author leaves no stone unturned in assessing the historicity of the parables by his criteria, and he argues against the familiar view that a parable of Jesus can be reduced to a single point of instruction. [T]his book is now the standard resource on the historicity of the parables of Jesus." The final two volumes of the series are "devoted to self-designations of Jesus and the death of Jesus." Hmm...seems that Meier may be overlooking one final, major historical event. Choice Reviews, May '16.
The brief references to Meier in back issues of AR <www.goo.gl/vs2krz> makes for interesting reading as well.
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RELIGIOUS PLURALISM
Christianity and Religious Diversity: Clarifying Christian Commitments in a Globalizing Age, by Harold A. Netland of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School [2] -- the review by James Taneti (Campbell University) in Theology Today (73:1 - 2016, pp83-4) finds that Netland "skillfully analyzes the changing religious landscape of the world and suggests ways Christians can continue to be faithful disciples of Christ in a changing world.
"Divided into two parts, the first half of the volume focuses on the changing understanding of religion and religious practice. Netland surveys how the concept of religion evolved in the modern and postmodern eras, clearly delineating the relationship between religion, culture, and worldviews." For example, "Netland examines the transformation of Buddhism in the modern period [and] surveys various interpretations of Christ among the modern philosophers. ...
"The second half of the book highlights the implications of a changing world on Christian commitments. Netland wisely acknowledges the pluralities of Christian commitments and the multiple loyalties of Christians. He also identifies the challenges conflicting truth claims pose to the harmonious coexistence of different faith communities and provides a comprehensive list of how Christians approach these multiple truth claims. The book, however, fails to acknowledge the diversity of truth claims even among Christians.
"Netland clarifies the Christian commitments in the final chapter of the book. ...
"Through this succinct and comprehensive contribution, Netland enriches the scholarly discourse on Christianity's relationship with other religions, which his mentor John Hick had greatly influenced. He draws extensively from his guru, but dexterously distinguishes himself as an evangelical Christian."
Taneti laments that "By highlighting the need to defend Christian claims to uniqueness, [Netland] misses the chance to identify opportunities for honest and mutually enriching conversations between various faith communities."
The review by Garry Morgan (University of Northwestern Minnesota, St. Paul) in Missiology (44:3 - 2016, p357-8) begins: "Philosopher of religion Harold Netland tackles the thorny subject of Christianity's role amidst the religious diversity of today. While presenting a compelling case for sensitive Christian exclusivism in a pluralistic world, Dr. Netland warmly acknowledges the contributions of Christian inclusivist and non-Christian writers to the discussion of Christianity's role in today's world. ...
"The first chapter adds substantively and helpfully to the ongoing discussion of how to define religion. ... The remaining chapters of part I examine the impacts of modernization and globalization on religion. ...
"Part II begins by asserting that religious pluralism, which he differentiates from religious relativism, 'faces insurmountable problems and thus is an untenable option.' In establishing this position, Netland helpfully distinguishes between *contraries* and *contradictories* in differing religious truth claims. He moves on to making the case for Christianity's claims to being the one true religion, and closes by challenging Christians to obediently bear witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ in ways that are respectful and sensitive to their hearers, whatever the religious background of those hearers might be. While the examples are primarily relevant to US American Christians, the principles are valid for any follower of Jesus regardless of citizenship.
"Every professor and graduate student (and even advanced undergraduates) of religion, missions, or intercultural studies would benefit from reading Christianity and Religious Diversity. Those who disagree with Christian exclusivism may not be convinced, but will at least come away with a clear understanding of the reasons for it."
Visit <www.goo.gl/YquLdT> for a look at "religious pluralism" in back issues of AR.
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SOURCES: Monographs
1 - A Marginal Jew: Rethinking the Historical Jesus; Probing the Authenticity of the Parables, by John P. Meier (Yale Univ Prs, 2016, hardcover, 464 pages) <www.goo.gl/Ua4anS>
2 - Christianity and Religious Diversity: Clarifying Christian Commitments in a Globalizing Age, by Harold A. Netland (Baker, 2015, paperback, 304 pages) <www.goo.gl/K3ZqqW>
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