Abstract

According to John Hick's model of religious pluralism, all the world's great religions are equally valid ways of understanding and responding to the ultimate spiritual reality. This book offers an exposition of, and critical response to, John Hick's model. Introducing the various interpretations of religious diversity being discussed today, this book presents constructive suggestions as to how current ideas could be further developed to offer a more accurate presentation of the various options in the theology of religions. The standard threefold typology of responses to religious diversity - exclusivism, inclusivism, and pluralism - are explained and defended. Hick's pluralist interpretation of religious diversity is traced, culminating in a critical assessment of Hick's pluralistic model and a summary of a variety of critiques directed toward Hick's proposal. Paul Rhodes Eddy concludes that Hick's present model is ultimately unsuccessful in overcoming the pluralist's most difficult conceptual problem -- providing an adequate account of the fact that the world's religions understand the divine in often contradictory ways. Ultimately, Hick's own solution threatens two of his long-cherished goals: a robust religious realism and a consistent religious pluralism.