Book Description

The current debate on religious pluralism pits exclusivism against inclusivism, with "pluralism" an uncertain alternative. The thesis of this book is that a new theory is required to relate world religions positively, without reducing them to a lowest common denominator. Thus the question "what is comparable" needs to be re-examined. While a "theory of everything" is not possible for religious data, a "modal" approach allows each religion its own integrity. The traditional Christian claim of uniqueness is balanced by more open resources from within the tradition itself, such as Logos Christology. This has potential cosmic or properly "universal" (as distinct from global) presence. Dogma is examined through scientific and aesthetic models, resulting in a more open approach to world religions. Each may be regarded as a "mode of being" related to transcendence in non-adversarial terms. Joseph C. McLelland is J.W. McConnell Professor of Philosophy of Religion Emeritus at McGill University and Robert Professor of History and Philosophy of Religion Emeritus at The Presbyterian College, Montreal. From 1975 to 1985 he also served as Dean of the Faculty of Religious Studies at McGill University. He is the author of numerous books and articles on philosophical and historical theology, and is the founding editor of The Peter Martyr Library. Among his writings are "Prometheus Rebound: the irony of Atheism, The Clown and the Crocodile, " and most recently, "Understanding the Faith: Essays in Philosophical Theology." Dr. McLelland is a former President of The Canadian Theological Society and Editor-in-Chief of " Studies in Religion/Sciences Religieuses."