Christianity and other religions
Christianity and other religions appear to
share some elements. In a look at Christian-
ity’s relationship with other world religions,
this article investigates the differences and
similarities of Christianity to other religions.
Christian views on reli-
gious pluralism
Classical Christian views
Christians have traditionally argued that reli-
gious pluralism is an invalid or self-contra-
dictory concept. Maximal forms of religious
pluralism claim that all religions are equally
true, or that one religion can be true for
some and another for others. This Christians
hold to be logically impossible. (Most Jews
and Muslims similarly reject this maximal
form of pluralism.) Christianity insists it is
the fullest and most complete revelation of
God to Man. (Gospel of John 14:6, "Jesus
answered him, ’I am the way, the truth, and
the life. No one goes to the Father except
through me.’" God’s Word Translation)
Calvinist Christian views
Although Calvinists believe God and the truth
of God cannot be plural, they also believe
that those civil ordinances of man which re-
strain man from evil and encourage toward
good, are ordinances of God (regardless of
the religion, or lack of it, of those who wield
that power). Christians are obligated to be at
peace with all men, as far as it is up to them,
and to submit to governments for the Lord’s
sake, and to pray for enemies.
Calvinism is not pacifistic and Calvinists
have been involved in religious wars, notably
the French Wars of Religion and the English
Civil War. Some of the first parts of modern
Europe to practice religious tolerance had
Calvinistic
populations,
notably
the
Netherlands.
Eastern Orthodox views
The Eastern Orthodox Church teaches that it
is the only path that one should choose for
salvation. On the other hand, the Church also
teaches that no human being, by statement
nor by omission of a statement, may place a
limit upon God’s will, who may save whomso-
ever it pleases Him to save.
Some compare the Church to Noah’s Ark.
It is not imp