Many Christians are taught that religion is all about the ‘truth’. Many Christians believe ‘our religion’ is the ‘true truth’ and ‘our God’ is the ‘true God’. We are trained to ‘witness’ to the ‘true truth’ about the ‘true God’ of our religion over against the ‘false truth’ about the ‘false God’ of other religions. Many Christians see the current ‘clash of civilisations’ as essentially a conflict between competing truth claims. And many Christians see this battle for the mind as a zero-sum, win-lose war, a creedal fight to the death between our religions.

But it was never Jesus’ intention to start a religion, still less a monopolistic religion that saw itself in competition with other religions for people’s allegiance. Jesus said he simply came ‘to bring life and life in all its fullness’ (see John 10:10). Thus he would confirm all that is life-affirming in the world’s religions.

Jesus appreciated God was bigger than his religion, and worked in the lives of people of other religions – like Naaman the Syrian, who was healed of leprosy, when many Jews weren’t. (Luke 4.16-30) Jesus appreciated people of other religions could not only have great faith, but also have greater faith than many people of his own religion – like the Syrophoenician Woman, whose feisty faith he was confronted with. (Mark 7:24-30) And Jesus appreciated people of other religions could be better examples of true religion than even the leaders of his own religion – like the ‘Good Samaritan’. (Luke 10.29-37)

Christians claim Jesus is the ‘Way’. And Christians need to note that the ‘Way’ Jesus related as a Jew to Samaritans, particularly the woman at the well (Jn:4:4-42) is the ‘Way’ Christians should relate to people of other religions, like Muslims. We should: A. Recognise how much we owe to Jews who came before us. (Jn.4:22) B. Acknowledge particularities – distinct rituals of worship (Jn.4;19-21) C. Affirm universalities – all true believers worship in truth (Jn.4:23) D. Never denigrate others – ‘don’t call down fire’ on them (Lk.9:54-5) E. Take a conciliatory approach – ‘if not against you, for you’ (Lk.9:50) F. Always accept hospitality – share food and drink together (Jn.4:7) G. Practice respectful dialogue – explore the significance of Isa/Jesus as the Masih/Messiah – but not expect others to change their religion (Jn.4)

Jesus didn’t call his followers to convert others. Conversion is God’s work not ours. And we can do great damage when we play God at other people’s expense. Instead Jesus called his followers to witness to others. He said ‘you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’ (Acts1:8) And he suggested a good way to witness was by working whole-heartedly for the common good. Jesus said: ‘let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works and praise your Father in heaven.’ (Matt.5:16)

Dave Andrews based on The Jihad Of Jesus p121-2