Christ, the Church and Non-Christian religions: The roman catholic Church Perspective

Abstract

The problematic of the Christian attitude towards non-Christian religions is a particular question in the broad spectrum of the Christian attitude towards culture, politics, business, sciences, art and religion.1 As such, our present topic falls in the domain of a Christian philosophy of religions. The encounter of religions is not simply an encounter of ideas but also of persons with attitudes and persons in action. Thus the encounter of religions has to do with the management of human relationships and religious doctrine. This is the domain of Christian ethics.2 Some Christian thinkers have also considered the encounter of religions as an opportunity for mission in dialogue. Hence, the problem of religious dialogue becomes for the Christian a question of missionary theology and strategy. From this analysis it becomes clear that an elaboration of a Christian attitude towards non-Christian religions is not a simplistic and naïve venture. It is a colossal effort of theological interpretation to outline theory and practice for Christians through the interplay of Christian philosophy, Christian ethics, and missiology, amongst others. Christian dialogue does not exist only at the theological level but also at the intellectual, emotional and existential levels. This paper views the relationship of Christianity and non-Christian religions in a triple vision of fact, challenge and task. This presentation is articulated in two sections. The first studies Jesus Christ and the other religions and the second the Church and the other religions.