09 March 2010

Inclusivism or pluralism?


I'm concerned here that the word 'inclusivism' is used when I think that something else is meant:

 "The liberal tradition of Christianity, which dominates the Christian presence at the interfaith table, has long espoused a theology of ecumenical inclusivism"

What appears to be meant, using the following sentences as a guide, is 'pluralism'. Inclusivism is a position which is not pluralist and is also not exclusivist. I'm concerned that by lumping the label inclusivism with liberal 'pluralism' a theological straw man is being moved into position to only allow exclusivism as the legitimate 'Evangelical' position. Even if I'm being too sensitive at this point, the misuse of the term still needs to be flagged up so as not to mislead readers in other discussions where the terms are used in the more generally accepted ways.
in reference to:
- Barnabas Fund - hope and aid for the Persecuted Church | Persecuted Christians : Recent Changes in Christian Approaches to Islam (view on Google Sidewiki)

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