Exclusivism

• What is exclusivism in the context of salvation?

  Salvation only found through Christianity
• What do narrow exclusivists believe about salvation?

  It must be found in a specific denomination
• Who are two key figures associated with narrow exclusivism?

  Augustine and Calvin
• Exclusivism

  salvation only found through Christianity
• Exclusivism

  the idea that only Christianity holds the truth and only Christianity can offer salvation
• Restricted access exclusivism

  salvation comes from hearing the Christian message and accepting it into your life
• Universal access exclusivism

  the idea that God wishes everyone to be saved
• How do exclusivists justify the fact that some people have never had the opportunity to meet Jesus?

  due to the fall, humans are sinful and therefore nobody deserves to be saved
• exclusivism

  • Jesus’ salvation restored the whole of humanity, past, present and future
• Catholic views on exclusivism

  • there is no salvation outside of the Church, a person must be baptised and live a faithful Catholic life if they are to have a chance of going to heaven
  • has acknowledged that other religions hold aspects of the truth
  • the full expression of truth (and salvation) can only be found in the Catholic Church itself
• Aims and purposes of inter-faith dialogue - Exclusivism

  • to convert
  • find common ground and show how common ground points towards the Christian message