RS 220 Christianity and Modernity

Part 2

Christianity and Religious Pluralism

In this part of the course we will consider different Christian theologies and attitudes towards other Christians and people of other faiths. We will consider some of the issues raised by religious pluralism and we will conclude with a closer analysis of recent developments in Jewish-Christian relations.

Th

10/16

Christianity And Religious Pluralism.  A Historical Introduction To Christian Attitudes to Other Religions.

Reading: 

• Knitter, pp.1-15

• Professor Byrne's Outline Notes on Christian views on the salvation of non-Christians (please print these and bring them to class).

Tu

10/21

Christianity And Religious Pluralism.  The Replacement Model

Reading: 

• Knitter, Part 1, pp. 19-60.

Th. 10/23

Research Paper Preparation and Research Methodology Class:

In this class we will distribute the topics for the research paper and presentation. We will look at research skills, databases, etc.

Tu  10/28

Christianity And Religious Pluralism.  The Fulfillment Model

Reading: 

• Knitter, Part 2, pp.63-106.

• Extra: Obituary of my former teacher Jacques Dupuis

Th. 10/30

Religious Pluralism within Christianity: the diversity of ways of being Christian with a focus on Pentecostalism

Reading:

• Interesting Websites of Pentecostal Churches and Groups:

  • International Pentecostal Holiness Church: http://www.iphc.org/

  • International Church of the Foursquare Gospel: http://www.foursquare.org/

  • Assemblies of God: http://www.ag.org/top/

  • Church of God in Christ: http://www.cogic.org/

  • Catholic Charismatics: http://www.catholic-center.rutgers.edu/FrAlCaprio/Charismatic.html

Tu 11/4

Christianity And Religious Pluralism.  The Mutuality Model

Reading:

• Knitter, Part 3, pp. 109-169

Th. 11/6

DISCUSSION: Religious Violence; Recent Developments.

Reading:

• Carroll and Shiflett, Christianity on Trial, Chapter 4.

• Summary of Religious Wars and Violence at http://www.religioustolerance.org/curr_war.htm

TASK: Bring to class one news item - on religious  tension, conflict or violence -  from a good quality news website or from a newspaper. The more recent the better but you might also find something significant from recent years. We will discuss your findings in class.

OPTIONAL SITES TO BROWSE:

• What is Religious Tolerance?: http://www.religioustolerance.org/rel_tol.htm

• Declaration on the Role of Religion in the Promotion of a Culture of Peace http://global-forum.org/role.html

• Global Website on Interfaith: http://global-forum.org/

Tu 11/11

Christianity And Religious Pluralism.  The Acceptance Model

Reading:

• Knitter, Part 4, pp. 173-246

Jewish-Christian Relations: The History of Christian Attitudes to the Jews: An Overview.

Reading:

• Carroll and Shiflett, Chapter Five.

• Recommended (but not mandatory) United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Website: 'Christian Persecution of Jews Over the Centuries'  by theologian Gerard Sloyan.

NOTE: The main text is in PDF Format (you need the Adobe Acrobat program, which most SMC computers should have: this should function automatically when you open the file). Scroll down the page to find the link and print the full article. You may read extracts from the text by following the links at the top of the page.

Questions: What factors have contributed to Christian persecution of Jews? Can you list some historical examples of that persecution?

OPTIONAL: Sites of Interest

• Martin Luther's famous views on the Jews

• Council for Jewish-Christian Relations website (excellent resource) http://www.jcrelations.net/en/

Jewish-Christian Relations: The  Case of Pope Pius 12th and the Shoah.

Reading:

• Michael Phayer, "Canonizing Pius XII"

• A defense of Pius XII by  Catholic theologian Michael Novak

• Optional: Pope John Paul II's  Address at the Rome Synagogue (1986)

Questions:

• What is Phayer's main accusation against Pius XII? What was Pius XII most concerned about during World War 2?  

• What are the main points of Novak's defense of Pius XII? In you estimation should Pope Pius have acted any differently than he did? Why or why not?

• What do you think John Paul most wanted to communicate in his address at the Rome Synagogue? Is there anything you think he could or should have said and did not?

Jewish-Christian Relations: Progress and Tensions: Jewish-Christian Relations since the Shoah.

Reading: (DEAR STUDENTS: apologies for the earlier broken links here)

• We Remember, The Vatican Statement on the Shoah

• A Jewish Response to We Remember

Questions: In your view what are the main strengths and weaknesses of We Remember? What are the points of agreement and difference between the Vatican and the International Jewish Committee on Inter-religious Consultations on Jewish-Christian relations?  How do the two statements from the Southern Baptist Convention and the New York Bishops differ in their attitudes towards Jews and in their understanding of Christianity?

Overview of Knitter: discussion and Q&A

Notes on Knitter Part 4

Optional Reading:

Carroll and Shiflett, Chapters 7 & 8 (also read Chapter 2 if you have the time)

Research Papers Due.

 Happy Thanksgiving!