A Book Analysis of “Is Jesus the Only Savior” Chapters 1-6: Pluralism by Ronald H. Nash

Justin W. Cullen
Theology 313
July 29, 2012

Analysis

Ronald H. Nash begins his book responding the position of pluralism in regards to the exclusivity of Jesus Christ, mainly directed at John Hick, who was a leading proponent of pluralism until his death earlier this year. Nash was an evangelical Baptist theologian and apologist, who subscribed to the Calvinist tradition. Within his book, Nash tackles several of Hick’s arguments relating to the pluralism and universality of Christianity. Nash reveals in chapters 1-6, the evolution of Hick’s philosophy of pluralism and understanding of pluralism, which conflicts with the Christian’s view of the …show more content…

Nash denies that all truths are subjective and only relative to the person believing in that truth. In using this form of thinking the pluralist contradicts themselves in that a truth can be both universal and at the same time only true to the person who believes in that truth. In order for the pluralist to be correct, a truth would have to be personal and subjective, but still true for all, which is impossible. If a truths basis for being true is derived solely from someone’s appropriating of it. This would mean according to Nash truth is both relative and subjective and yet still universal. Nash logically concludes this idea defies common sense. Furthermore, all worlds’ religions cannot make different claims and still be the same religion with the same results. There are logical incompatibilities among major world religious systems thus; they cannot all be the same. Nash uses the example of the Christian belief in the deity of Christ, which is an essential belief held within orthodox Christianity and the Muslim belief that Christ was not God in the flesh. These two conflicting beliefs make Christianity and Islam diametrically opposed to each other and thus they cannot be the same or obtain the same result. Nash affirms the idea most religions contend that believing in the correct doctrine is vital to salvation within their system, which is true for Christianity as expressed in Acts 16:31 and John 3:16. In