Pluralism --It's the Way of the 21st Century

Last Sunday Christians everywhere celebrated Pentecost. As the book of the Acts of the Apostles tell us, fifty days after Easter Jews of all nationalities were gathered together in Jerusalem each speaking their own languages and suddenly the Spirit descended upon them as flames literally enlightening them (a la light bulbs flashing above their heads) and instantaneously they were able to communicate with one another and finally be able to really hear and understand each other. We often celebrate this as the birth of the church.
I believe that something new is happening in the 21st century. As our world becomes more and more accessible, the realities of globalization mean that we can no longer speak only one language (literally and metaphorically). The United States is no longer (if it ever was) a Christian country. Just as the first Christians had to learn to communicate, we too have to learn to communicate. Christians that believe that Christianity is the only viable path to God are severely narrowing Jesus’ vision of God’s kingdom, or realm, for all. There is a new birth taking place.
The Center for Progressive Christianity instituted Pluralism Sunday observed last week at churches around the nation. Fairview Community Church hosted Rabbi Julie Pelc, and together we engaged in a dialogue about what pluralism means to people of faith. As pluralists we believe that other faiths are just as important and valid to those who practice them as our faith is to us. I think that this is a push further than even inter-faith dialogue is sometimes willing to go. Pluralism is not about compromising our faith tenets, unless our faith is so restrictive that we cannot allow for diversity, and in that case it really is about pushing the envelope. For this reason, I do not think that exclusive faiths will be the faiths of the future.
We are living in a post-modern world where the lines between black and white, in and out, right and wrong are not as clear as we once thought they were. Our culture is shifting towards a pluralistic worldview whether faith communities choose to recognize it or not. This is the new Pentecost. Of course we must be wary about using Christian language and imposing it onto this new phenomenon under the guise of pluralism, but I do believe that the metaphor of Pentecost fits. The Spirit gives us ears to hear and understand different languages, different cultures, and even different religions. As the church celebrates its birthday, Christians ought to be intentional about inviting everyone to the party.