ABSTRACT
There are major differences between the world religions, but Christ has overcome them. Salvation is possible within any of the religious traditions, but that has been won by Christ and Christ alone. The inclusivist emphasis can be identified in the Christian tradition from the very beginning. Some aspects of the theology of the Gospel of Luke and Acts are thoroughly inclusive. Justin Martyr expanded Luke's inclusivism into a more general attitude. For Justin, all goodness and truth have their origin in the being and action of God. The other religions are praised and affirmed for their beliefs and practices. Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam and Judaism are specifically identified in this way in the Vatican II document, Nostra aetate. Inclusivists are predisposed to the conclusion that Christianity is superior to other religions. Because they have a priori assumption that Christ is necessary for salvation and the consequent assumption that Christianity is therefore the bearer of a truth not apparent in other religions.
