Llull’s disputation ends without declaring which religion the gentile chose

Evidence

Since the Jew’s religion is the oldest of the three, the gentile asks him to begin. He presents Judaism (in book 2) in eight essential doctrines, which he attempts to prove through reference to the different flowers; the gentile at times listens in silence, at times asks questions or voices objections. Then it is the turn of the Christian, who (in book 3) similarly presents his religion in fourteen articles. Finally (in book 4) the Saracen expounds twelve articles of Islam. In the epilogue, the gentile reiterates the three sages’ words, showing them that he has perfectly understood their arguments. He then offers a profuse prayer of praise and thanks to God for bringing him to the truth, for he now understands which religion will permit him, through God’s grace, to reach paradise. He warmly thanks the three sages, who congratulate him and prepare to leave him. Wait, he says, don’t you want to know which of your religions I chose? No, they respond; each of us is convinced you chose his religion, and we prefer to keep it this way. If we know which religion you chose, that will only prejudice our own discussion. The three sages leave him to return to the city. Before they leave each other they decide that they will meet regularly for discussions, until they have come to agreement on which law is true; then they will go forth and preach this law to the world. They beg each other’s pardon for anything they might have said to offend each other’s faith and each returns to his duties of teaching and preaching his respective religion. — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 1316

Categorization

• QUESTION: Curious how the device of three neutral judges maps onto modern interfaith dialogue methods.