Aleksandr Men`'s Approach to the World's Religions

Living and working under the oppressive Soviet regime Fr. Aleksandr Men` managed to develop an extensive body of scholarly and pastoral work that established him as one of the most influential Russian Orthodox writers of the 20th century. This study focuses on his view of the world's religions examined in light of the Roman Catholic declaration Dominus Iesus. Lukasevicius divides his theological analysis into three areas: the place of Jesus Christ among other leaders of the world's religions; the teachings and practices of non-biblical religions in comparison to the revelation of Jesus Christ; the concept of faith as human response to Christ's revelation compared to the notion of belief as seen by Men` in non-biblical religions. It is argued here that before the promulgation of Dominus IesusAleksandr Men` had already developed an explicitly Christian approach to other religions generally consistent with the Papal document. Lukasevicius offers a thorough analysis of Men`'s works contributing to Christian theology's further understanding of the complexities of inter-religious dialogue.