Book Review: Toward a Christian Theology of Religious Pluralism
Toward a Christian Theology of Religious Pluralism
Orbis Books
1997
This new book was just received by the Editor, but it can already be seen as a second book which will be a must for those involved in interreligious dialogue, in spite of the cost.
Jacques Dupuis is certainly known in the field of world religious pluralism. In this book he brings together a lifetime of study, reflection and experience in both Europe and Asia to outline a significant shift in Christian understanding of this area. The question is no longer “whether” God provides salvation to members of other religions but “how” in God’s plan these traditions mediate salvation to their members.
Dupuis first provides an historical overview of Christian approaches to other religions throughout the centuries. He first examines the Scriptural and patristic texts. Then he studies the history of the much-contested axiom “Outside the Church there is no salvation.” He brings the reader up to the advent of Vatican II and then studies Council’s teaching on other faiths in depth. One reviewer states that this section is so comprehensive that it will remain the definitive historical analysis of the question for many years to come.
In Part II the author moves to constructive synthesis. He uses a Trinitarian, Christological model to demonstrate the depth of God’s commitment to humankind in Jesus and the authenticity of other paths in accord with Divine Providence. In this he sees the presence of the universal, active presence of the Word of God and of the Divine Spirit. John Borelli of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops remarks: “In this book Fr. Dupuis achieves three important objectives. He provides a useful summary of Christian appraisals of religious pluralism from the earliest sources up to the eve of Vatican II. He expertly interprets texts of the Council and subsequent Catholic documents on interreligious dialogue, and then offers challenging evaluations and provocative suggestions for current theological discussion on religious pluralism, the significance of Jesus Christ, and salvation.”
In conclusion Dupuis gives an excellent chapter on “Interfaith Dialogue: Praxis and Theology” which is invaluable in its own right. Particularly the section “Theology of Dialogue” shows both the “Challenges” and “Fruits” of Dialogue with a clarity which will be of great value to all.
Jacques Dupuis is certainly known in the field of world religious pluralism. In this book he brings together a lifetime of study, reflection and experience in both Europe and Asia to outline a significant shift in Christian understanding of this area. The question is no longer “whether” God provides salvation to members of other religions but “how” in God’s plan these traditions mediate salvation to their members.
Dupuis first provides an historical overview of Christian approaches to other religions throughout the centuries. He first examines the Scriptural and patristic texts. Then he studies the history of the much-contested axiom “Outside the Church there is no salvation.” He brings the reader up to the advent of Vatican II and then studies Council’s teaching on other faiths in depth. One reviewer states that this section is so comprehensive that it will remain the definitive historical analysis of the question for many years to come.
In Part II the author moves to constructive synthesis. He uses a Trinitarian, Christological model to demonstrate the depth of God’s commitment to humankind in Jesus and the authenticity of other paths in accord with Divine Providence. In this he sees the presence of the universal, active presence of the Word of God and of the Divine Spirit. John Borelli of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops remarks: “In this book Fr. Dupuis achieves three important objectives. He provides a useful summary of Christian appraisals of religious pluralism from the earliest sources up to the eve of Vatican II. He expertly interprets texts of the Council and subsequent Catholic documents on interreligious dialogue, and then offers challenging evaluations and provocative suggestions for current theological discussion on religious pluralism, the significance of Jesus Christ, and salvation.”
In conclusion Dupuis gives an excellent chapter on “Interfaith Dialogue: Praxis and Theology” which is invaluable in its own right. Particularly the section “Theology of Dialogue” shows both the “Challenges” and “Fruits” of Dialogue with a clarity which will be of great value to all.
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Fr. James Conner was for many years the editor of the AIM/MID bulletin and has reviewed many books for the bulletin over the years. He is a monk at Gethsemani Abbey, Kentucky and took part in the “Monks in the West” conference in 2004. He is a member of the Board of Directors of MID.
Fr. Jacques Dupuis, SJ, here on the right with Fr. William Skudlarek, OSB, was a theologian and author of several books, most notably Towards a Christian Theology of Religious Pluralism. He taught at the Pontifical Gregorian University. He died in 2004.