ABSTRACT
Christians have regarded the gospels as ‘normative’ for living. They take the words of Jesus inscribed in these texts as important for relationships. But it is how these words are interpreted today from the various hermeneutical stances adopted by different Christian groups that shape the pragmatics of relationships. This spills out into the way such groups engage in dialogue or seek to proselytise the ‘other’. This essay explores some of the most provocative, abused and misunderstood texts of the New Testament. These can be difficult or ‘hard’ sayings of Jesus in which he seems to encourage ‘warfare’, ‘hatred’ and rejection of the ‘other’. Other sayings, by contrast, concern themselves with enemy love. Both groups of sayings, taken out of context and given a particular literalist slant, could reinforce an unequivocal stance by which Christians reject those who are not-Christian, and support a sectarian form of religious protectionism that considers that the only mode of engagement is one of conversion. The essay will conclude with the key hermeneutic principle essential for religious dialogue. This considers that the ‘other’, even without Christian ‘sanctification’, is an authentic religious being and revealer of sacred presence.
