What is religious pluralism?

Answer

Religious pluralism generally refers to the belief in two or more religious worldviews as equally valid or acceptable. Beyond mere tolerance, religious pluralism acknowledges multiple paths to God or gods as a possibility and is typically contrasted with “exclusivism,” the belief that there is only one true religion or way to know God.

Although religious pluralism has existed since at least the seventeenth century, the concept has gained popularity since the latter half of the twentieth century in Western Europe and North America. Specifically, the notion of religious ecumenism (religions working together as one) and the recently popularized interfaith movement have contributed to the increased acceptance of religious pluralism in popular culture.

Research by the Barna Group and others has observed the rise of ideas related to religious pluralism in American culture in recent years. In many instances, even significant numbers of individuals identified as Christians believe there are multiple ways to heaven.

Pluralism goes beyond the sharing of certain values or agreement on some social issues. While Buddhists and Christians both agree on the importance of helping the poor, such limited agreement does not constitute pluralism. Pluralism involves giving credence to competing truth claims and embracing diverse beliefs about God and salvation.

Moreover, two or more religions can share certain doctrinal beliefs yet remain fundamentally different as belief systems. For instance, Muslims and Christians both affirm the existence of one God—however, each religion defines God differently and holds many other irreconcilable beliefs.

What does the Bible teach about religious pluralism? Firstly, the Bible recognizes only one God «and thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. », Deuteronomy 6:5. Therefore, religious pluralism is incompatible with biblical teaching since it accepts multiple views of God or even multiple gods.

Secondly, the Bible teaches exclusivism by stating that there is only one way to know God—through Jesus Christ. John 14:6 emphasizes that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and that no one comes to the Father except through Him. The apostles conveyed the same message in Acts 4:12: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

Thirdly, the Bible frequently denounces other religions for following gods that are not truly gods. For instance, Joshua 23:16 warns, “If you violate the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them, the LORD’s anger will burn against you.”

Religious liberty ensures that various religions can worship peacefully, and Christians value such freedom as it permits the open worship of God. In contrast, religious pluralism asserts that multiple religions are true or equally valid, a notion that the Bible clearly rejects. While we advocate for religious liberty, we also uphold the Bible’s teaching of “one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” «For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; », (1 Timothy 2:5).