På väg mot en kristen religionsteologi : En undersökning av det kristna uppenbarelseanspråket i förhållande till andra religioners uppenbarelseanspråk

Sammanfattning: This dissertation is an analysis of the relationship between the Christian claim of revelation from God and similar claims in other religions. Its starting point is a religious interpretation of religion which views claims of revelation as cognitive assertions worthy of serious consideration. This book seeks to clarify the positions taken by some leading Christian theologians on revelation claims in other religions and to come to grips with the fundamental questions raised for Christian theology.The examined material is of two kinds. First, three examples of different theological views are presented on the relation between the Christian belief in claims of revelation and truth in other religions: an exclusivistic view (L.Newbigin), a pluralistic view (J. Hick), and an inclusivistic view (G. D'Costa). Secondly, the theoretically important discussion following publication of the main books of the three theologians is presented, as well as attempts to widen the debate. The analysis aims at finding the crucial theological questions.Four issues fundamental for Christian theology emerged as the cornerstones in the debate. The first concerns the possibility to determine whether a claim of revelation is true, and if so, which kinds of criteria could be used. The second question is whether the validity of the crucial criterion is particular or universal. The consequences of the different positions for the relation between Christianity and other religions is the third question. The fourth question deals with the content of the crucial Christian criterion.The concluding chapter argues that it must be possible to determine the veracity of a revelation claim if one aims at a religious interpretation of religion. The crucial criterion must be theoretical and focus not only on the ethical or spiritual consequences of the religion. The validity of the criterion must be held to be universal, but only temporary universal. This means that the criterion has a provisional character and is always open to modification from other religions and their revelation claims. This study seeks a way to combine a provisional belief in the truth of the Christian claim of revelation and an openness towards the revelation claims in other religions.