ABSTRACT
Gavin D'Costa's approach represents a type of inclusivism, but he himself eschews the term. D'Costa sets out to redefine radically the three cardinal virtues of pluralism: equality, justice and tolerance. The merits of D'Costa's approach are many and significant. D'Costa's criticism of pluralism is very helpful and exposes the blind spots of pluralistic approaches such as their definition of 'openness' and 'tolerance'. The criticism also raises questions, especially about the heavily debated relationship between modernism and pluralism. The relationship between modernism and pluralism is not as straightforward as D'Costa suggests. D'Costa's trinitarian theology represents the most nuanced response to other religions from the perspective of classical Christian trinitarian faith. D'Costa's approach is commendable also in that it takes the role of the church as conducive to the relationship of Christianity to other religions.
