The Elements of Exclusivism in Christian Tradition

Religious exclusivism is one of the essential properties and historical characteristics of the Christian tradition. This approach has some significant theological and historical elements which include: 1. Bein referenceable to the New Testament, 2. Relying on historical facts of Jesus Christ’s life, 3. The necessity of direct Divine interference, 4. Centrality of some theological teachings, 5. The central and prominent place of Jesus, 6. The significant place of the Church and the Pope, 7. The secondary role of legal laws and the centrality of faith and grace, 8) Ignorance of other religions realities and values. Christian exclusivism has resulted in some important consequences during its history some of which are as follows: negligence of other religions’ values and the needlessness of learning from them; extreme belief in the sacred and avoiding rationality; a positive approach to one’s own identity and a negative to others’; ideological thought, threatening peace and extending war. The solution is to put aside exclusivism, and to be open to truths that other religions introduce which is attainable through dialogue and listening to other’s voices.