Dave Andrews

There are numerous significant advantages of the ‘Open Set Perspective’ to religion, be it Christian or Muslim.

The first advantage of the ‘Open Set Perspective’ is that it is centred. Stanley Jones, the famous inter-faith evangelist, says, ‘Get the centre right, and the circumference takes care of itself.’

The second advantage is that it is centred on Isa and the Bismillah, what Jones calls ‘the Best to which all Good points.’

The third advantage is that as we move towards the centre, we can move beyond the religions that divide us. Isa calls us to recognize the Bismillah embodied in other people of other religions. Jones says. ‘John said to Jesus: “Master, we saw a man casting out demons in your name, but we stopped him because he is not a follower of ours.” Jesus said to him “Do not stop him; he who is not against you is for you.”(Luke9 v49-50) John tried to make “in your name” and “a follower of ours” synonymous. We still do that. Jesus showed the difference. “He who is not against you is for you”.’ Whether Christian or Muslim.

The fourth advantage is that as we move towards the centre, we can move towards the One who can unite us as human beings made in the image of God. ‘And behold, one came up to (Jesus) saying, “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment?” And Jesus said, “‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:29-31) And on this ‘Common Word’ all Christians and Muslims and Jews can agree.

Dave Andrews p76 The Jihad Of Jesus http://bit.ly/1CedNDX