Jacques Dupuis' Trinitarian Christology and Paul F. Knitter's Soteriocentrism as Responses to the Tension Between Mission and Dialogue in Asia

The underlying cause of the tension between mission and dialogue in religiously plural Asia is the Christian claim that Christ is the only saviour. The thesis analyzses official post- Vatican II responses to this claim as well as the responses of Dupuis and Knitter aimed at promoting interreligious dialogue. Dupuis acknowledges that salvation is not through Christ alone but through Christ and the Spirit at work in non-Christian religions, while still professing that salvation is through Christ alone. In contrast to Dupuis’ christocentric claim from above, Knitter argues for a soteriocentric approach from below directed at building the Reign of God on earth in which all religions can play a part. The thesis concludes that the way to the future calls for dialogue between advocates of an approach from above and from below.Master of Theology (ThM