Fostering Interreligious Love through Reflecting upon the Dual Metaphor of Christ in Revelation 5:5-6

Abstract

Religion always teaches about love, however, violence in the name of religion is keep occuring, in which Christianity is not exempted. Jesus Christ is the center of the Christian faith, and love is the centre of his teachings. Unfortunately, many religious people committed violence, even those who confessed to being Christians. Religion has contributed to the development of violence in this world. This article attempts to present a Christian theological reflection might help to fight violence through reflecting upon the Christology of Revelation 5:5-6. This article is a qualitative research that uses practical theology approach to engage with the text. The main argument is that the dual metaphors of the lion and the lamb in the text show an ethical implication that God, through Jesus Christ, has chosen love over violence as the way to restore the fallen creation. The true religion is the one that promote love and fight violence, especially violence in the name of religion.