An introduction to the theology of religions: biblical, historical, and contemporary perspectives

Introduction : Christian theology of religions as a theological discipline Pt. 1. Biblical perspectives : the ambiguity and promise of the biblical testimony. Overview of biblical testimony The Old Testament The New Testament Religion(s) in the Bible pt. 2. Historical developments. Limited openness to other religions among some early church fathers "Outside the church no salvation" : the consolidation of the exclusive attitude The meaning of extra ecclesiam nulla salus for the contemporary church Positive attitudes toward other religions after the early fathers The radical challenge of the Enlightenment and classical liberalism The fulfillment theory of religions pt. 3. The current scene : ecclesiastical approaches. The response of the Roman Catholic church The response of the Anglican and Episcopalian churches The response of the mainline Protestant churches The response of the Free churches The response of the evangelical movement The response of the ecumenical movement

pt. 4. The current scene. Theologians' interpretations. Orientation to the study of theologians of religion. Ecclesiocentrism : early approaches. Religion as belief / Karl Barth Jesus Christ as the way, the truth and the life / Hendrik Kraemer "Original revelation" in religions / Paul Althaus Christocentrism 1 : Roman Catholics. "Anonymous Christians" / Karl Rahner Religions as the "ordinary way of salvation" / Hans Küng "Toward a Christian theology of religious pluralism" / Jacques Dupuis Trinitarian theology of religions / Gavin D'Costa Christocentrism 2 : Mainline Protestants. The dynamic-typological approach to religions / Paul Tillich Religions competing for the universal truth / Wolfhart Pannenberg The gospel as public truth / Lesslie Newbigin "Risking Christ for Christ's sake" / M.M. Thomas Christocentrism 3 : evangelicals. Unique Savior but nonexclusive salvation / Sir Norman Anderson A wideness in God's mercy / Clark Pinnock A pneumatological theology of religions / Amos Young

Theocentrism. The Copernican revolution of religions / John Hick

One Christ, many religions / Stanley J. Samartha

The unknown Christ of Hinduism / Raimundo Panikkar

Jesus and the other names / Paul F. Knitter

Ecclesiocentrism : contemporary (evangelical) approaches. No other name / Millard J. Erickson

The enigma of pluralism / Harold Netland

The recovery of mission / Vinoth Ramachandra

The current scene : critical reflections and questions

Epilogue : The way forward.