Haase_UZ_x007E_DTh (2).pdf - South African Theological Seminary

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There are three basic forms of (religious) pluralism that most challenge the Christian
faith in our day. The (1) hermeneutical, which challenges Scriptural mandates and the
authority of the Bible; the (2) religious, which challenges the uniqueness of Jesus Christ,
especially His critical role as Saviour; and (3) the ethical, which challenges the sociocultural
impact the faith has had where it has culturally indigenized. Pluralism certainly
exists apart from postmodernism, but postmodernism does not exist without pluralism --
so it is only prudent that we now give serious consideration to postmodern pluralism, its
causes, impacts and implications.
Population Dynamics and Pluralism
Changing population dynamics have contributed to the rise and spread of postmodern
pluralism in the West. These dynamics impact local cultures, encouraging the
proliferation of various pluralisms, and bringing new inter-personal stresses that
frequently lead to misunderstanding, fear, and even conflict. Interestingly, the ongoing
influx of new immigrants has in some ways intensified the Western frustration with
modernity and given rise to greater cultural pluralisms.
Immigrants are commonly drawn to Western nations by the higher standard of living,
though they may or may not approve of the Western worldview and life-style.
Immigrants bring with them diverse cultural practices and unfamiliar worldviews. In the
process of acculturation, new immigrants create changes for themselves and others, but
also promote inter-cultural exchange and interaction.
Receiving nations can either welcome immigrants into the existing culture, or resist
them; creating and maintaining isolationist pockets that slow the assimilation process and
promote tensions between divergent groups. Maintaining segregated population sectors
weakens national unity and often the willingness and ability of that nation to grow
economically, and to defend itself from outside aggressors. To be a relatively healthy and
University of Zululand, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa