Christianity and Pluralism

Are the world's great religions ultimately all the same?

Christianity and Pluralism is a collection of concise yet thoughtful essays by J. I. Packer and Ron Dart, interacting with and responding to the four traditional models used to answer the existence of multiple faiths (exclusive, inclusive, pluralist, and syncretist), but focusing particularly that form of syncretism which claims that all faiths find commonality through their mystical traditions.

Written in response to key events in the history of the Anglican church, Packer and Dart's analysis gives us a perennially relevant model for how the church ought to respond to our own pluralistic culture with integrity and kindness—and how to uphold the distinctiveness of the gospel. Christians directly or indirectly engaging our pluralist world will find their ideas enriched by this short yet powerful book.

72 pages

This missive from Ron Dart and Jim Packer is as timely now as when it was first published. Their critique of Michael Ingham's mystical pluralism is both respectful and incisive. This unapologetic yet irenic defence of creedal Christianity deserves a wide readership and is a reminder of our continued indebtedness to faithful leaders such as Dart and Packer.

–Hans Boersma, St. Benedict Servants of Christ Professor in Ascetical Theology, Nashotah House, Wisconsin

Contents

• Introduction
• The Way, the Truth, and the Life
  • The Bishop and the Book
  • The Story Line
  • The Critique
• Christ, the Church, and the Parliament of World Religions
  • Our Global Village, Pluralism, and Inter-Faith Dialogue
  • The Exclusive Approach
  • The Inclusive (Catholic) Model
  • The Pluralist Model
  • The Syncretist Model
  • Déjà Vu or Chronological Snobbery?
  • Ancient Roots—New Routes