I have not entered anything on this blog for quite some time, but recently came across a parable that I found interesting and challenging. As a history buff, an American, and a minister, one of the most interesting time periods to me is the late 1700s. This parable is from a play ("Nathan the Wise") by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, published in 1779 in Germany. In historical terms, the Protestant Reformation had its beginnings shortly before this time (1517) when Luther published his "95 theses" in Wittenberg. In various places around the globe, Enlightenment philosophers were advancing the ideals of human rights and freedom of conviction, and traditional bonds between religous and political leadership were being challenged.
The Parable of the Three rings is set in Jerusalem at the time of the Crusades, during intense inter-religious conflict. The central characters are the Muslim Saladin, the Jewish Nathan, an unnamed Christian, and a judge. Saladin poses a theological question to Nathan: "Your reputation for wisdom is great," he says. "You must have studied the great religions. Tell me, which is the best, Judaism, Islam or Christianity?"
"Sultan, I am a Jew" replied Nathan.
"And I a Muslim," responded Saladin, "and between us stands a Christian. But the three faiths contradict one another. They cannot all be true. Tell me the results of your own wise deliberations. Which religion is best?"
Nathan recognized the trap at once. Any answer against "Islam" would offend the Muslim, and any answer except "Judaism" would place his own integrity under question. Thus, instead of giving a direct answer, Nathan responded by relating this parable to Saladin:
In the Orient in ancient times there lived a man who possessed a ring of inestimable worth. Its stone was an opal that emitted a hundred colors, but its real value lay in its ability to make its wearer beloved of God and man. The ring passed from father to most favored son for many generations, until finally its owner was a father with three sons, all equally deserving. Unable to decide which of the three sons was most worthy, the father commissioned a master artisan to make two exact copies of the ring, then gave each son a ring. Each son believed that he alone had inherited the original and true ring.
But instead of harmony, the father's plan brought only discord to his heirs. Shortly after the father died, each of the sons claimed to be the sole ruler of the father's house. Each one based his claim to authority on the ring given to him by the father. The discord grew even stronger and more hateful when a close examination of the rings failed to disclose any differences.
"But wait," interrupted Saladin, "surely you do not mean to tell me that there are no differences between Islam, Judaism and Christianity!"
"You are right, Sultan," replied Nathan. "Their teachings and practices differ in ways that can be seen by all. However, in each case, the teachings and practices are based on beliefs and faith, beliefs and faith that are at their roots the same. Which of us can prove that our beliefs and our faith are more reliable than those of others?"
"I understand," said Saladin. "Now continue with your tale."
"The story is nearly at its end," replied Nathan.
The dispute among the brothers grew until their case was finally brought before a judge. After hearing the story of the original ring and its miraculous powers, the judge proclaimed his conclusion: "The authentic ring," he said, "had the power to make its owner beloved of God and man, but each of your rings has brought only hatred and strife. None of you is loved by others; each loves only himself. Therefore I must conclude that none of you has the original ring. Your father must have lost it, then attempted to hide his loss by having three counterfeit rings made, and these are the rings that cause you so much grief."
The judge continued, "Or it may be that your father, weary of the tyranny of a single ring, made duplicates, which he gave to you. Let each of you demonstrate his belief in the power of his ring by conducting his life in such a manner that he fully merits- as anciently promised- the love of God and man."
This parable challenges me. As a Christian, I believe in the unique revelation of the Scriptures which form the foundation of the teachings I have received. An ongoing struggle for each of us is to live daily in a manner which reflects the truths we profess to believe. Perhaps this dichotomy is best summed up in a quote often attributed to Gandhi:
"I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."
