Bible Readings

Bible Passages

There are many passages from the Bible that can guide us as we think about our relationships with people of other faiths. Below is a sample. They deal with God's relationship with God's creation, and the life and teaching of Jesus, particularly as relating to 'the other'.

Hebrew Bible

Genesis 9: 8-17 God's Covenant with Noah - a covenant with the whole of creation

Amos Ch. 1 - God calls the nations to account, showing that God is in relationship with all the nations, not just the Jews

Jonah 4: 1-11 - God criticises Jonah for not appreciating that God can call a 'Gentile' nation to account and forgive

The New Testament

Matthew 7: 1-5 A warning not to judge our neighbour

Matthew 7: 21-23 A warning to those who think they are inside the kingdom of heaven

Matthew 25: 31-44 The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats

Mark 7: 24-30 Jesus' meeting with a woman outside his family of faith

Luke 7: 1-10 Jesus praises the faith of a Roman

Luke 10: 25-37 The Parable of the Good Samaritan

Luke 14: 16-24 The Great Dinner

John 1: 1-14 The Prologue to St John's Gospel

Acts 10: 34-43 God shows no particularity

Acts 17: 16-20 Paul preaches in a multi faith situation

I John 4: 7-12 Love as the criterion