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After more than a year of planning, here, finally, is a heads up on what a new MBC website might look like

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Over the last few weeks and months a small team of us have been busy recording many of the services and activities that take place here at MBC; that’s everything from our Sunday morning services to Stepping Stones, and from Rock Solid to what ought best be described as a wonderful hybrid Housegroup.

The reason being to rejuvenate Moortown Baptist Church’s current, somewhat tired website. To transform it into something that not only does its level best to keep you up to date with what’s happening in and around north Leeds, but by way of exploiting the myriad opportunities technology now offers making it a mirror image of MBC’s pledge to “follow Christ and serve our community.”

And by this I mean the website having the wherewithal for one of MBC’s most effective and accesible outreach arms, that’s… www.moortownbaptistchurch.org.uk to engage fully with anything and everything of note no matter where or when it’s happening.

Above and below you’ll find some pictures we’ve already taken, and which show you just how far we’ve reached. Yes, there’s still a long way to go: there’s a Communion Service to cover, a snap of our staff team to take, and maybe even a couple more “action” shots from Lunch Club.  

So why, you may wonder, if we’ve got this far why is any new website still just a work in progress. The answer is this… whilst we may have upwards of a dozen things taking place here at MBC each and every week, when it comes to communication quite often the simplest of things such as contact details, times and on the odd occasion even the venue of items posted are either out of date or worse still missing all together.

Rest assured this is about to change. And it will change because in the very near future (when the picture side of the project is complete) we’ll be starting work on putting together some captions. So, if you’re a team leader or equally important if you’re involved with one of our activities or groups can you please make sure that when asked you’ll be ready to supply us with all the details that YOU would like displaying. 

By repositioning our defibrillator MBC makes it much more accesible

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This last week we have moved our defibrillator out of the Meeting Area and onto the Music Room wall.  

Hopefully it will never be needed. However, should it ever be called into play, and you find yourself in or around the church, don’t panic as you will find all the instructions you need clearly marked. 

A Christian follows Jesus, wherever he goes. Some thoughts from Haddon Willmer

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A Christian follows Jesus, wherever he goes.

Jesus lived in the world of Pilate and Herod, of Pharisees and Zealots, a hectic unsatisfactory political world.  He engaged with it, walked to the city, the polis, of doomed Jerusalem, weeping because it did not know or value what made for its peace.  

Jesus was a political person. But not a competitor for political status or power.

Excited people wanted to make him king, but he withdrew to the mountain (John 6.15). 

He refused outright Satan’s offer to give him ‘all the kingdoms of the world’ if he switched sides (Matt 4.9).

Jesus was political in a human way.  He wielded no sword, presided over no council or court  

He could have chosen to collude with the way society is run by the powerful, but he often found free space for living in the wilderness. 

People hungry for food, health, peace, joy, love went to him there. 

Here Jesus practised politics constructively, not competitively.  As enabling service.

Consider the components of constructive politics: 

He saw the crowds as sheep without a shepherd (Mark 6.34).

He had compassion, and shared his wisdom with them, and healed the sick.

He asked what is to be done for them, now that it was late, and they were far from home and hungry.

He asked the caring question and got an unsatisfactory answer from his disciples – ‘Send them away to the villages  where they can buy for themselves’.

He called disciples to practical generous responsibility – ‘You give them something to eat’.  

Their hands were empty, they could only find a lad with five loaves and two fishes – not enough. 

He led them to risk working bravely with the little they had.   Or put it another way, to risk being surprised by God.

He organized people into tidy fifties, distributed the food and gathered up the left-overs for recycling.

Let us take clues from Jesus and work with him constructively as creative responsible political human beings in God’s world. 

Politics often breeds distrust and disdain, we properly dislike the antics of competitive politics.   But we still have to live together, as we find ourselves, hungry for humanity in the middle of one wilderness or another.   We cannot do without politics of some sort, for we live in the polis, the human community.  We want politics that builds up human community, from the basics, from the rubble we humans often reduce ourselves to. 

Few of us are called to the Westminster village.  But wherever we are,  in family, workplace, community project, political skills, graces and vision are called for.   

For an earlier longer version of this piece, see ‘Does Jesus call us to political discipleship’   https://haddonwillmer.me.uk/does-jesus-call-us-to-political-discipleship/

 

 

 

 

Week three of John Whitehead’s study in which he asks Is the Bible True? This time he’s Building on the Foundations

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Is The Bible True?

God Knows!

Part 2

For extra copies of this booklet or if you have any comments or queries, feel free to contact me at

jdwhitehead1938@gmail.com

Acknowledgements

Many thanks to Anthony Richardson for the cover design.

And special thanks to my son Paul, without whose help and encouragement the project, having been abandoned, would never have got off the ground.

Not least I thank my wife Ruth for putting up with my extended absences from being available for the day-to-day activities of normal living.

Thanks too to Book Printing UK for their suggestions and guidance in producing the final layout.

C O N T E N T S

Chapter 1 Introduction                                                    3

Chapter 2 2000 Years of History                                  4

Chapter 3 Some Lessons along the Way                   9

Chapter 4 God’s Spokespersons – The Prophets     12

Chapter 5 The Spirit of God                                           15

Chapter 6 Conclusion                                                    17

Chapter 1

Introduction

Writing this, the second booklet of the series, presents a real challenge. It covers the remainder of the Old Testament from Abraham to Jesus, some 2000 years of detailed history – political, economic, social and not least, religious. It is about the one people group which grew from one family to become the Jewish nation. Continuing the lighthouse theme, it builds on the foundations set down in Part 1, providing the building blocks.

Although this has been written as Part 2 of a 3-part series it can be read as a stand-alone booklet. Part 1 looked at the interpretation of a number of things that at first sight seemed implausible. Was the universe really created in seven days? Was there a major flood which covered almost the whole land mass? Did a whale really swallow Jonah? Secondly it began a theme which continues throughout the whole series – that is looking at God’s nature, the nature of humankind, and their inter-relationship, still bearing in mind the questions of Rudyard Kipling – the who, what, where, when, why, and how.

But the biggest challenge, beginning with Abraham and ending with the birth of Jesus, is to respond to the question, what lessons can I learn from a 2000-year-old document? What’s in it for me? In responding I am reminded of an old French proverb. “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” History repeats itself. What happened

then is still happening all around us. Human greed and envy; the lust for power both individually and by governments; wars and conflicts; pain and suffering. It’s all about money, sex and power. I’m sure I don’t need to go on. So read on and hopefully learn the lessons from the past that there is an alternative. The remedy then is still the remedy now. God spoke to his people then. Still, he speaks to those who will listen. In addition to the offer of life in all its fullness, as introduced in the first booklet, we have the promise of a future going beyond the end of our life on earth. So, what’s in it for me? God Knows!

Chapter 2

 2000 Years of History

 The Promise

It all started with an unconditional covenant promise to one man Abraham, 2000 years BC. God said to him, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land which I will show you. I will make your offspring into a great nation, and I will bless you, and you will be a blessing. And all nations will be blessed through you.” However, the remainder of the Old Testament sees only the first part of this promise fulfilled. Fulfilment of the second part was initiated by Jesus and is ongoing to the present day. Jesus – the one person who changed the whole course of history, through whom all nations, all and every individual person may be blessed. This will be covered in the third booklet.

We have one word here, bless, which is easy to overlook. If we are blessed, it simply means being favoured by God. If we say God bless you, it is asking for God’s help and protection. The connotations here are joy which is true happiness, contentment. Like getting into a hot bath after a period of extreme exertion, or perhaps achieved in an extremely happy marriage, or a loving relationship with God. But all this is in need of a lot of further unpacking.

The journey progresses through this one family. As we will see there are many challenges along the way, many hurdles to be overcome, and a few surprises.

The Life of Abraham

So we begin the narrative with Abraham, a descendant of Noah, who with his family had always regarded God as the one true God. They were semi-nomads, living on the fringe of society in Mesopotamia (corresponding roughly to present day Iraq). Never in one fixed place for long, they moved to find grazing for their livestock and areas to grow crops.

At the age of 75, obedient to that promise, Abraham with his wife Sarah and all his family, with all their possessions, travelled West towards Canaan.

En route they visited the town of Sodom, renowned for their vile and degrading unnatural sexual practices and bestiality prevalent in the whole area, giving its name to our term Sodomy. I don’t think I need to go into any more detail here. They stayed a short while. Shortly after they left, there was a violent explosion and the whole area, including the population, was completely reduced to rubble. Here is a reminder, explored in the first booklet of the power and judgement of God.

But did the destruction of Sodom really happen? Archaeology does provide evidence of the destruction of cities by fire in the area described in the bible passage, moreover in the right timeframe. It can be explained by a massive explosion, similar to one recorded in Russia when in 1908, a massive blast near Siberia’s Stony Tunguska River flattened some 2,000 square kilometres of uninhabited Taiga forestry. Curiously, no crater was discovered and scientists explained the strange phenomena as a meteor having exploded some 5-10 km above land. So the destruction of Sodom was a natural event, but it was miraculous that it happened at the time of God’s choosing.

They continued westward arriving in Canaan, (Canaan corresponds roughly to modern day Israel), where they stayed living as before as nomads. God said, “to your offspring I will give this land”.

Abraham’s Wife Sarah – How God makes Nobodies into Somebodies

A key theme throughout the Old Testament is how God uses nobodies and makes them into somebodies. He is looking for potential. He sees the potential inherent in each one of us. Not what we are, but what we can become.

When we look at Sarah, in the eyes of society, she really was a nobody. Not only a woman – all women were considered second class citizens – but she was barren, unable to have children. Being unable to have children was considered a disgrace in that culture. And there were no fertility clinics, no IVF and the like, to help couples in their yearning to have children.

How could her husband Abraham become the founder of a great nation? She thought she had the answer. She invited him to have a child through her servant girl, which he did and Ishmael was born. (This was an accepted practice in that culture). Thus, at the age of 86, Abraham had a son who was named Ishmael.

Ishmael became the forefather of the Arab nations. But that was not what God had in mind. He told her that she would have her own child. Not surprisingly, Sarah laughed! Her response was something like “Can I enjoy sex at my age? Come on – I’m 85 and had my menopause decades ago”. But that is what happened and at the age of 85 with Abraham now 99 she gave birth to Isaac. What a precious and miraculous gift.

We must remind ourselves that God can work – and still does work – in ways we do not understand. And in his own timing too.

I can’t hope to do justice to the story in just so few words. You can read the full account in Genesis chapters 16-21.

The thrust of the story carries on through his son Isaac.

Isaac and Rebekah

Isaac marries his cousin Rebekah. But Rebekah was barren. Here we go again!

Try and imagine the painful prayers as decades passed with no offspring. Does God hear me? Does God even care about my cry for answers or signs? Will I have to wait until I’m 90 years old like Sarah before I have a child?

It took 20 years of prayer and trying before she gave birth to twin boys, Jacob and Esau. Here is a reminder of what can be achieved through prayer, and also that patient and fervent prayer is often needed. I have a friend who prayed for 40 years for her son to become a Christian before that prayer was answered.

Isaac’s son Jacob had 12 sons and 1 daughter through his two wives – Leah and Rachel, and their two maidservants. Inevitable questions here, answered in Genesis chapters 29 and 30.

Again, Rachel, Jacob’s favourite wife was unable to conceive. She had to wait 14 years before she became pregnant. That’s 3 consecutive generations of infertility being overcome, again through prayer.

The narrative continues through Rachel’s first son, Joseph.

The Life of Joseph

Joseph’s brothers were jealous of him because he was the favourite. At the age of 17 Jacob sent him out into the field to check on the other sons. Out of their jealousy they considered killing him but instead sold him to some passing traders who in turn took him to Egypt and sold him as a slave to the Palace Guard. But there he found favour and became head of the government.

The whole area became subject to 7 years of plentiful harvests followed by 7 years of drought, of which Joseph had been warned in a dream. So in this time of plenty, Egypt had built up vast storehouses of grain and as the drought took over, all the neighbouring countries including Jacob’s family, came to Egypt to buy grain. The poignant comment of Joseph to his brothers was, As for you, you meant evil against me but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

There was family reconciliation and the whole family was invited to stay and settle in Egypt.

What can we learn from this? What does this mean for us today? Family breakdowns are all too common, but breakdowns invite restitution and reconciliation, after which relationships often become stronger. But not least, suffering produces endurance and builds up strength of character. Moreover, having overcome difficulties ourselves we can be a help to others in similar circumstances.

In Egypt the family grew to such an extent that out of fear of being overrun they were taken into slavery.

Escape from Egypt

After some 400 years of cruel servitude, God raised up a new leader Moses who eventually led them out of slavery where they escaped from the pursuing Egyptian Army as far as the Nile delta. The waters parted long enough for them to cross into wilderness area to the south and west of Canaan but flowed again, drowning the pursuing Egyptian army.

Reality Check

This is probably one of the best-known bible stories and the focus of a number of movies over the years. Not as depicted by Cecil B. De Mille in his epic movie of the 1960’s, with walls of water standing at the sides making a passage on dry land, but a strong wind causing the waters of the Nile delta to part. When they had all crossed, the wind subsided, the waters returned, trapping the Egyptians. It was not the parting of the waters that was miraculous, as it has happened at various times since then, but that it happened just at the right time for the Hebrews who were escaping.

Historical records do agree that a large population of Hebrews did dwell in Egypt, later crossing the river Nile, and spending time in the “wilderness” area on the eastern side of the river. How did they cross on dry land? Such a phenomenon is observable in the present age. A strong wind would cause the sea level to drop leaving dry land.

Researchers have observed this in the past in the Nile Delta itself in the year 1882. This also has happened in Lake Erie, and it has happened in other places as well.

In the Wilderness

After 3 months in the wilderness Moses went alone up Mount Sinai to meet God personally. There he received the 10 Commandments, which he brought back to the people on “tablets of stone”.

The first commandment stated, “You should have no other gods but me”. But the worship of other gods was rife. Baal was a shorthand for a number of false man-made Gods. Baal worship, in summary, looked a little like this. Adults would gather around the altar of Baal, and would include child sacrifice. Infants would be burned alive as a sacrificial offering to appease the deity. Amid horrific screams and the stench of charred human flesh, they would engage in bisexual orgies.

Moses was gone 40 days and in that time the people thought they had been deserted. So they persuaded Aaron, Moses’ brother, to fashion a golden calf out of gold items plundered from the Egyptians before they fled across the Red Sea, and said “this is the god who brought you out of Egypt”. So, Aaron built an altar before the calf and declared a feast day. They would gather round it with dancing, feasting and indulgent drinking. In other words, they were having a good booze up with drunkenness and all the indiscretions which followed. On his return Moses was furious and threw the tablets of stone on the ground and they shattered into pieces. In his anger he took the golden calf, melted it on the altar they had prepared, ground it to a powder, scattered it on the water and made them drink it. No half measures there! At a later stage, Moses went back to the mountain and returned again with the Commandments.

The 10 Commandments, which provided and still provides today a basic framework of guidance both for day-to-day living in democratised countries and also instructions of God’s requirements for our regard of him. The first four relate to our relationship with God, the rest to the way we conduct our lives.

This diversion together with acknowledging other man-made deities was an ongoing feature of the progress (or otherwise) of the Jewish Nation. They were continually confronted and challenged and warned of the dire consequences by God’s spokespersons, known as Prophets, who were bringers of God’s messages to the people.

They could have entered their “Promised Land” after just a year, but lack of trust in their leader resulted in their being made to remain in that wilderness for 40 years until most of the adult generation had died, but God during that whole time continued to oversee that their needs were satisfied. It was Moses’ successor Joshua, who led them across the River Jordan into Canaan, the Promised Land.

In the Promised Land

After years of battles, they gradually overcame the then inhabitants. A succession of leaders brought them to becoming a unified Kingdom. It was King David, described as the Great Leader who finally saw the conquest of the whole country.

But the kingdom did not last. Firstly, it split into two, Israel in the North with ten tribes and Judah in the South with two. But even that did not last. Around 200 years after King David’s reign, the Assyrian army from the north swept through, taking the people in the northern kingdom into exile. Judah did not fare much better, being conquered by Babylon, who under King Nebuchadnezzar ransacked the temple, carrying off all its treasures. Later they were seen to have been abandoned for a period of 400 years, bringing us to the birth of Jesus.

This gives a picture of the whole 2000 years condensed to just a few pages. It goes without saying that each episode, each character, could be and has been expounded to cover whole chapters, even volumes.

I have been deliberately brief in this section, but we have seen this covenant failed due to the lack of commitment and waywardness of the Jewish people.

Chapter 3

 Some Lessons Along the Way

 I have selected just a few characters who highlight important aspects of our relationship with God.

A Lesson from Rahab

Before crossing the Jordan, Joshua secretly sent two spies into Jericho and they went to the house of prostitute Rahab for lodging, information and/or sex. But it came to the attention of the king of Jericho, and he sent messengers to Rahab to bring them out. But Rahab had hidden them to avoid their presence being discovered and lied, saying that they had already left. They escaped the following morning.

Rahab is an interesting character. Looking into her background, she was aware of the Israelite escape from slavery, and the promise that God would give them the land. But as a woman she was triply marginalised in the eyes of the Jewish people. Rahab was a woman, and as a Canaanite was an outsider, and in addition she was a prostitute. But because of her kindness and belief in the Israelite identity in God’s plan, she and her family were spared from the destruction of Jericho which followed. Despite her past mistakes, God used her, and she and her family became part of the Jewish nation. In spite of her identity, God could see into her heart. In fact, she is an ancestor of Jesus, being the great, great, great, great, grandmother of King David.

Rahab risked her own life to help the two spies. She put her trust in God and took a risk to help God’s people. Rahab reminds us that we can take risks for God, no matter how frightening or intimidating they may be.

What we can observe from this account is: –

  • God accepts those with a No matter what wrong things, harmful things we may have done, we will never be rejected by God, if we come to him.
  • God can use those with a He has a plan for each and every one of us.
  • God redefines those with a From harlot to bride. From bride to mother. From mother to an ancestor of Jesus.

Lessons from David – From Shepherd Boy to King

 David is one person whose life is worth following, as it encapsulated in one person the general theme of this series. It begins with his being chosen and anointed as a future king through the prophet Samuel.

Samuel

Samuel’s mother Hannah was childless and she prayed to God for a son. So Samuel was born. In gratitude she dedicated him to the service of God from birth.

In his adult life he was called by God to choose and anoint one of the eight sons of Jesse to become the next king. Seven were called before Samuel, the strong, the tall, the handsome, but each was rejected. He asked if these were all of his sons. Jesse replied that the youngest one was tending the sheep. So, David was then called. He is described as having a ruddy complexion, handsome and with fine features. Samuel then said that he was the one, and thus David in this private act was anointed as a future king of Israel. In spite of this, he remained with his family as one who tended the sheep.

He developed skill as a musician as a harpist.

David and Saul

David’s musical skills came to the fore when Israel’s king at that time was Saul. Saul had what would be described today as having mental health problems and so David was called to soothe him.

David and Goliath

We now come across another well-known character, Goliath. Confronting the Philistines in Saul’s quest to conquer the whole of Canaan, their champion Goliath who was described as a giant of a man, challenged the Israelites to send one man to fight him and the loser would be subservient to the other nation. The full account, well worth reading, is found in 1 Samuel chapter 17. The essence of the story describes Goliath, armed to the teeth and wearing heavy armour facing the shepherd boy David, who is carrying only a sling and a bag containing a few smooth, flat stones. Goliath relies on his own gods for support, David relying solely on the God of Israel. Using the skill which had obtained from guarding his sheep and protecting them from attacks by wild animals, he takes careful aim and with a stone catapulted from the sling, strikes Goliath on the forehead, sinking into his skull and knocking him unconscious to the ground. David approaches him and kills him with Goliath’s own sword and cuts off his head, giving Israel triumph, saving the Israelites from further slavery. Another battle is won on the way to overall conquest of the land.

There are a couple of points here worth bearing in mind. Firstly, we can use our previous experience to assist us in our walk with God. God uses the whole person. Secondly, there is no limit to what we can achieve if we trust in God.

David became accomplished as a successful military leader and through him, battles were won and territory gained. But there was bitter rivalry between him and King Saul. They had rival armies. There was much infighting between their factions. Eventually the followers of David became stronger than those of Saul. Omitting the detail, Saul was eventually critically injured in battle and rather than being captured he took his own life by falling on his sword, making way for his replacement by David.

David as King

David saw himself as a Shepherd King. As a shepherd cares for his flock, so he saw himself as a shepherd over all of Israel. Moreover, he saw God as a shepherd watching

over him. We are pointed to this in the words of Psalm 23. Here again, God is using David’s gift of musical skills for the benefit of others.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul.

He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the lord for ever.

It is a reflection on his past, an acknowledgement of his present situation and also assurance of his future. It is a song both of personal and universal gratitude to a loving God in a painful world. In this ancient poem, David recognises God as a protector, a “shepherd” who both guides and blesses. God’s goodness means that he and we have nothing to fear. Whatever happens, God will be with us.

David and Bathsheba

In spite of his greatness, he shows a common human weakness. Whilst relaxing on the roof of his house one evening he saw a beautiful young woman bathing. She was Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, who was away fighting a war. He sent messengers to bring her to him. She came to him, he slept with her, and she became pregnant. So he sent messengers to allow Uriah home to his wife, so that the baby could have been attributed to him. But in his dedication, Uriah refuses to leave the battlefield so David arranges for him to be sent to the front line, and he is killed in battle.

David marries Bathsheba, the baby is born but becomes ill and dies. He is brought to task by the prophet Nathan and becomes truly ashamed of what he has done, recognising the outcomes of his own lust. He repents, asking God for forgiveness.

He is forgiven and restored, moving on – not as if nothing had happened, but as a wiser man.

Bathsheba is in the family line of Jesus. God works in mysterious ways!

The full details of this pivotal story can be found in 2 Samuel chapters 11 and 12.

Chapter 4

 God’s Spokespersons – The Prophets

 Quite simply, a prophet is a person chosen by God through whom he communicates with people. A prophet is simply a messenger.

Their role was reminding the people of Israel and its leaders, predicting and warning what will happen in the future depending on whether the people heed the warning or reject it. It was a repeated message by a faithful few who clung to the promises of the covenant.

Their ultimate failure led to the collapse of the kingdom leading to Israel becoming a vassal state under foreign rule.

Human nature just had not changed. Israel’s idolatry had continued for over 1000 years, always going for the immediate before waiting for the promise of what is still unseen, continually being seduced by the sensuous qualities of idol worship, the transient pleasures of materialism and other forms of self-gratification. We can follow the message of the prophets, a continuing story of failure, punishment, returning to worshipping the one true God. Likewise, God’s nature has not changed, not only as a judge, but still always ready to forgive.

No words are harsher and more scathing than in the words of Ezekiel, who was active in the years after the fall of Judah. He expresses God’s anger of the same magnitude as that at the time of Noah. But thankfully, there is a different outcome – one of potentially rescuing the whole of humanity and not just one family.

The core of Ezekiel’s message is summed up in a uniquely graphic manner. He describes Israel’s unfaithfulness as like a husband finding his wife in bed with another man – on their honeymoon! The reason God is jealous is because he binds himself to his people as if in a marriage relationship. So worshipping idols and other gods is a rejection of who he is, just as adultery is a rejection of one’s spouse in marriage.

This failure of God’s nurtured, loved and cherished Israel is described in a stark and scathing allegory in Ezekiel 16:25. “But you trusted in your beauty and played the harlot because of your fame; you spread your legs to every passer-by to multiply your harlotry.” It is worth reading the whole chapter to get a true sense of God’s anger and revulsion at the people’s behaviour and realising that he did not pull any punches. You don’t get many sermons preached on this passage!

However, the prophets were also proclaiming a message for the future. They promised a Messiah, someone who would deliver them from the oppression of foreign bondage, and restore the glories of the golden age. The people were expecting a military leader, a leader of a conquering army. But it did not happen like that. The Messiah turned out to be Jesus. Coming as a baby, born in humble surroundings and not a palace. In his adulthood he did herald this new kingdom, a kingdom which was out of this world – literally!

This new kingdom would be established, both in the here and now on earth, and the future. A new heaven and a new earth where there would be no more pain and suffering.

Make no mistake – we are offered heaven, not a “pie in the sky when you die” but a new life with God, where we would have real bodies.

More Prophecies Relating to Jesus

 There are more than 100 prophecies relating to the birth, life and death of Jesus, but I will restrict this discourse to the main ones.

The rest of this chapter is all a preview of what is to come in the third booklet. In the first few verses of the first chapter of Genesis, we read that God said, “Let there be Light,” and there was light. When Jesus said “I am the Light of the World” he was the final fulfilment of that prophecy.

Prophecies Relating to Jesus’ Birth and Life

 As we have noted, God said that Abraham would become the father of a great nation and all nations would be blessed through him. Later, it is stated that this blessing would come through one who was in the lineage of King David. And yes, Jesus was a descendant of King David.

The prophet Micah, living some 750 years before Jesus’ birth, said that the ruler over Israel would be born in Bethlehem in Judah. Those who are familiar with the Christmas story you will recall that Jesus was born in a stable in Bethlehem where Jesus’ parents, whose home was in Nazareth, were on a short visit.

Isaiah, some 700 years ahead of his birth, foretold that as a sign a “virgin will be with child”, and his name would be called Emmanuel, (meaning God with Us). Yes, Jesus was born of a young woman by an act of God without the involvement of a man. He said that this Emmanuel would be a healer and a miracle worker. The blind would see, the lame walk. He said that this person would be a Light to the Gentiles – in other words for the whole world, which really affirms that he has come for you and me.

Zachariah, around 500 years before Jesus’ birth said that God would dwell among his people. Also, that “your king will come riding on a donkey”.

Malachi, about 100 years later said that a messenger would come to prepare the way for the Messiah. We will see this fulfilled in John the Baptist.

Prophecies Relating to Jesus’ Death

900 years before Jesus’ birth, the writer of Psalm 22 gives a chilling picture of what death by crucifixion would be like. At that time this manner of execution was beyond imagination. It was first invented by the Persians some 300 to 400 years before Christ and developed in Roman times as a punishment for the most serious of criminals. The imagery of the psalm includes such phrases as, “I am poured out like water and all my bones are out of joint. My strength is dried up and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. – I am surrounded by evil men. They divide my garments and cast lots for my clothing. – Despised, mocked and insulted. – My God my God, why have you forsaken me?” But all of this is followed by images of triumph and optimism.

It is difficult to imagine what these words, so prophetic of the death and resurrection experience of Jesus, meant to their original readers!

All of this you must agree is absolutely amazing, not only the predictions themselves, but the timescale involved.

The End of the Covenant

In spite of all the warnings, the Israelites continued to fail and we noted that the voice of the Lord was not heard for 400 years. It seemed they were abandoned.

As previously noted, Judah had ceased to be a nation and had become a tiny community in and around Jerusalem under the authority of priests, having been subject to one another of the great world empires, finally becoming a colony of the Roman Empire, with Herod as their king. They were subject both to Roman law and the law of the priestly clan of Levi, who imposed, so they thought, the requirements of the law given to Moses as described in the first five books of the Bible.

So what have we observed so far from creation until this time of God’s nature and his interaction with people? The predominant narrative is of a God who is continually using super-natural power, controlling the events of history, and present among the people.

As we move forward exploring the life of Jesus we will see a developing picture of a personal, loving God, with life-changing relevance for you and me.

Chapter 5

The Spirit of God

In the preceding chapters we have identified a number of facets relating to the identity and the nature of God. We have seen him as an all-powerful, all-knowing, ever present being. From a remote creator and sustainer, to a personal being, who has real conversations with real people, having at times a real physical presence. Moreover we have seen him as both forgiving and judging, often handing out harsh justice. There is another Omni attached to the nature of God. That is Omnibenevolence. Benevolence to the ultimate is another aspect of his character.

But there is another aspect which has so far received only brief mention. That is God’s Spirit, first mentioned at the very beginning of the Bible. “The Spirit of God moved over the face of the waters.”

The Spirit of God, an ongoing theme, is mentioned and revealed both in the Old Testament and New Testament.

We saw God’s Spirit at work in the life of Joseph, giving him wisdom and speaking through him via his dreams, prophesying through him when he predicted times of plenty and times of famine.

There are in fact many more occasions where the Bible describes the Spirit of God at work. The New Testament is packed with descriptions of the activity of the Holy Spirit,

But the Old Testament also contains many such references. It will be helpful to look at some of this activity to give us a foundation for better understanding.

As part of the lighthouse analogy, perhaps the Spirit can be considered as the mortar holding the building blocks together, making them firm and immovable.

God’s Spirit – Giver of Skills

Why is this important? Because we will see in the third booklet that the Spirit is given to all believers and he will produce fruitfulness in those who believe and moreover give gifts and ability to bear fruit.

Looking at some of these in turn, an early mention comes in Exodus 31:1. Here we have a completely new dimension. These are God’s word to Moses – the “Word” speaks to Moses about the “Spirit”. He says that he has chosen two men, Bezalel and Uri, and he has filled them with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge of all kinds of crafts, to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver, cutting precious stones and wood, to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship.

In a similar vein, King David gives his son Solomon detailed plans for building the temple. These are plans which the Spirit of God had put into his mind. They were so detailed they could be seen as the work of an experienced architect. Nowadays such skills would need years of training and teaching to achieve such standards. Are you not filled with awe when you see this as another dimension of God’s power? He was to be helped by skilled craftsmen. He told Solomon not to be afraid, for the Lord God was with him.

At first sight, this seems beyond rational belief when we think about the training and practice needed if we want to attain such skills. However, the composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart began composing his own work at the age of 5, when asked about his prolific composing career replied he didn’t compose them, he just wrote down in musical form what was given to him in his thoughts. Similarly, Beethoven was almost completely deaf when he composed his final symphony, the choral symphony. He wrote down the sounds which were in his head. But even Mozart had piano lessons. Perhaps here we have two examples of the same gift. And when we look at a person with some special skills, not just musicians, we would say that person is gifted.

But in the final analysis would it not be reasonable to believe that all our skills and abilities, talents and achievements are built on what is God-given, although we so often like to think that what we do we have done on our own?

Continuing in 2 Samuel 23:2, Samuel says that the spirit of the Lord spoke to him and said, “I will put my words into your mouth”

David, when he asked God for forgiveness after he had seduced Bathsheba, prayed that God would not take his Holy Spirit from him. Also, as recorded in the Book of Psalms, he prayed that the good Spirit would lead him to level ground.

Another attribute is recorded in Judges chapters 14 and 15. Samson was journeying with his parents. They were confronted by a lion roaring towards him. We read that the Spirit of the Lord came upon him with power such that he tore the lion apart with his bare hands. Later he was tied up by the Philistines, but the Spirit of the Lord came upon him and he broke the ropes as if they were strands of cotton.

The prophet Joel, some 600 years before Christ’s birth, speaking God’s word, looks into the future, to a time after Jesus’ death and resurrection. “I will pour out my spirit on all people in a time to come. Your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions and your old men will dream dreams. Even on his servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.” As a reminder that the same theme runs through the Bible from beginning to end, the Lord, speaking to Moses when they were in the wilderness, some 1400 years before the birth of Christ says “when a prophet of the Lord is among you, I reveal myself to him in visions, I speak to him in dreams.

Zachariah declares that achievement is not by human might or power but by God’s Spirit. Quite simply, God’s Spirit is Enabler.

 There are countless more references, these are but a small sample.

Chapter 6

Conclusion

So What! – What’s In It for Me?

We have observed that God is Creator. He has personality, being all-powerful, all-knowing and not confined to time and space as we are. He is Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent. But overriding all this he is Omnibenevolent. That’s quite a mouthful and takes some assimilating. Moreover, as explained in the first booklet, he operates in ways which are outside the boundaries of mathematical, physical, chemical, in fact all natural laws. I remind the reader that it is a word with a particular definition in the Bible – that is Super-Natural.

It’s all about trust and hope. One writer used to say that faith should be spelled R-I-S-K. That sums it up pretty well I guess. As I have commented earlier, faith is believing in something you hope for. Or alternatively, as Christians, belief in a presence that does not let you go.

Can you live your life without taking this step? Yes. Can you live a fulfilled life without taking the step? No! Just remember that there are no Nobodies in God’s Kingdom, and that Good is the Enemy of The Best.

This concludes our brief exploration of the Old Testament. Using the lighthouse analogy, it sees the Old Testament as a building to support the source of a beam of light, Jesus, where he describes himself as the Light of the World.

Next time, in Part 3 we will look at the life of Jesus as related in the first four books of the New Testament, the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, and how we can have a personal relationship with him.

Shelley’s news update – 26th October

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Dear friends

We meet again at 11am in the building and on our youtube channel on 26th October where we continue with Part 2 of our theme of mission in the book of Acts.  This week is called ‘Empowered by the Spirit’. There will be a group for our younger friends following the same theme.

After the church service, Shelley and the deacons will meet at 1pm in the music room.

In the evening, Rock Solid youth groups meet 7-8pm for a positive pumpkin party and sharing together.  See Val, Adam, Nathan, Ruth or Martyn.

The week looks like this…

Monday 27th October 10-12midday Beacon Warm welcome café in the building.

Tuesday 28th October No Stepping Stones for under 5’s and their parents, grandparents and carers this week.  Back on the 4th November.  See Diane, Hilary, or Lesley for more information.

Tuesday 28th October afternoon bible study in church. See Howard or check with Lesley

Wednesday 29th October No lunch club this week.  Back on the 5th November.  Speak to Rachel or Lesley for more information.

Wednesday 29th October 7.30pm Bible study in the church building.  Speak to Ruth or Andy B or send a message to Lesley.

Thursday 30th October 2.00 -4.00pm Craft group and warm welcome space in church building.  Do pop in and say hello.  Speak to Karen, Lesley or myself for more information or if it’s something you might be able to join or support as we are looking for helpers.

Thursday 30th October Bible study at 7pm, see John C this week.

Friday 31st October Bible Study at 10.00am – 11.15 in church.  See Shelley for more information.

Friday 31st October House Group 8.00pm – 10.00 with Jonathan and Hilary D and Steve and Helen O.  Do speak to them or ask Lesley or I for more information.

Sunday 2nd November11am Café church with refreshments for all in the building and online. ‘The Church’s Mission in Acts’.  Part 3: Welcoming everyone

Tuesday 11th November 7.30pm whole church meeting in the building.  All welcome.

Around the city..

Tuesday 28th October ‘The Message trust on tour’ God is on the move and can use each of us to reach our friends, communities, workplaces, but how do we play our part? Come and be equipped, inspired, and encouraged, an evening with Andy Hawthorn and team from The Message Trust.  See Claire for more information.   Leeds: Message on tour – The Message

Tuesday 18th November ‘An evening with Rev John Swales MBE of Lighthouse Church ‘What does it look like to follow Jesus in a world of climate breakdown and fractured society.  Prayer stations will offer space for lament and hope.  In the chapel at Trinity University Horsforth Campus  Creation Groans : Christ Calls Tickets, Tue, Nov 18, 2025 at 7:00 PM | Eventbrite

Saturday 22nd November. This is the second Leeds gathering for young people and young adults and all those who want to support them in sharing Jesus with others  THE SEND UK & Ireland There is a group going from MBC.  Do send a message or speak to myself or Ruth or one of the youth leaders if you want to find out more or go along with the group.

Nearer Christmas at MBC…

Sunday 7th December ‘Christmas café church’ followed by a Christmas community café with live music and refreshments.  Everyone welcome! Kevin Sinfield will be running past the church building at about 1.15/1.30pm on his final day of the 7 in 7 in 7 Challenge 2025 raising money for those affected by Motor Neuron Disease. Please click on the link here. Look up day 7 and you will see where we are on the map!  Kevin will run by Moortown Baptist Church and then onto Beckett Park University Campus to begin the Leeds Santa Dash.  More information here by clicking this link Run For All launches Leeds Santa Dash as final leg of Kevin Sinfield’s 7in7: Together Challenge.

Sunday 14th December will also see the return of carol singing in a local home for the elderly, feel free to speak to Rachel B or Claire for more information.  Our wreath making workshop is taking place in the afternoon of the 14th and its open to everyone!  More information to come.

Finally…

Thanks to all who helped with lunchclub last week on their trip to the Wetherby Whaler and to the Stepping Stones team throughout the term, both groups are taking a break this week but are back after half term.

Last week David V reminded us of the important work of the Welcome team’s on Sunday mornings and asked if anyone would like to help then do talk to him or to Lesley and she will pass a message on.

Do check out the website and face book page to see what’s been going on this week and what’s coming up!  www.moortownbapstistchurch.org.uk including this article about the opening of MBC In October 1957, and just two years on from its foundation the Lord Mayor of Leeds officially opens Moortown Baptist Church – Moortown Baptist Church

In Christ

Shelley

Shelley Dring

Minister

Moortown Baptist Church

In October 1957, and just two years on from its foundation the Lord Mayor of Leeds officially opens Moortown Baptist Church

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How MBC looked in 1955 – just two years from its official opening

In October 1957 and just two years on from its formation the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Ald Joseph Hiley, officially opened Moortown Baptist Church. 

Many thanks to Rod Russell for reminding me about this and passing on this Yorkshire Evening Post cutting marking the event. 

In many ways there are many similarities between then and now. As our very first minister Rev F.W.Bond commented “We are a very busy lot,” before adding “the members have done a lot of work themselves.” In that respect very little has changed. But on the other hand and as you would expect people come and people go: we’re currently being led by our seventh minister, we’ve extended extensions and rarely has there been a time when our contacts and relationship with those who live alongside us have been more deeply rooted. 

So thanks again to Rod for passing on this little piece of history. 

 

 

 

Is the Bible True? John Whitehead’s fascinating study. This week, the final chapters of Part 1. Next time John looks into Building on the Foundations

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                                                    Chapter 5

                                                      Who or What is God?

We have considered some of the things that God has done, but who or what is He?

There are a number of concepts that will help our understanding and exploration of this important and crucial question.

Prime Mover

The dictionary would give the following definitions of a prime mover. A prime mover is aperson who is chiefly responsible for the creation or execution of a plan. For instance, George Stevenson was the prime mover behind the development and construction of the railways. William Wilberforce campaigning against slavery and Emily Pankhurst campaigning for votes for women are further examples.

A scientific definition is that a prime mover is an initial source of motive power designed to receive and modify force and motion as supplied by a natural source and apply them to drive machinery. For instance, we can consider a locomotive on a railway. Coal or diesel fuel goes in and the locomotive moves along the track. Or a generator in a power station fuel goes in and electricity comes out. In turn, this becomes the driving force for lighting, heating and motive power. A watch battery, the spring of a clock are other examples.

Cause and Effect

This leads on to cause and effect. Each of these forces has its own cause, and has a designer behind it. The engine was manufactured. The watch battery was manufactured. The watch spring was wound up. But does this go on forever or is there a prime cause? Does the creation story shed any light on this? (Pun intended!) The Bible account says, In the beginning, God. But who created God? If something created God, who created that something? In any case, if something had created God, God would be just an idol. And so we would have to go on. No, the only sensible answer is to believe that because of our understanding that everything created has a creator, that there must be a prime cause.

Science tells us that yes, there is a prime cause. Before the Big Bang there was nothing. The universe was created out of nothing. The Big Bang was the prime effect. But science can’t tell us what caused the Big Bang, or why God caused the universe to be created.

As the Bible says, In the beginning, God. God existed before creation. He has always existed. In terms of cause and effect, He is the ultimate Prime Cause. That is the only logical conclusion. There is no other. It cannot be proved but equally it cannot be disproved. However, it follows a logical path. We have a reinforcement of the reality of God. God Is! We build on this, and again, observe whether this leads to truth or falsehood.

Note that in all these examples everything that has been made had a purpose. It wascmade for a reason. Later we will examine in much more detail what God’s purpose was in creating matter, life and humankind.

The scientific evidence for the creation account does not stop there.

Genesis 1.9 says, in the beginning all the land was in one place surrounded by sea. Geologists have demonstrated that this was true. Continents and islands have been formed by what is called continental drift- that is, movement of tectonic plates under the sea, separating land masses in the process. Glancing at the globe, continents can be seen to be roughly fitting together like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. Not bad for such an ancient document. That’s two fundamental truths in the first 150 words. And the whole Bible is about revealing God’s truth!

To put the vastness of the universe into perspective, our sun is just one of more than 100 billion stars (suns) in the Milky Way. It orbits some 25 thousand light-years from the galactic core, completing a revolution once every 250 million years or so. It and the rest of our solar system planets and moons, were created around 5.5 billion years ago. This fits comfortably with the statement in Genesis implying that the Earth was created at a later time than the creation of light and darkness.

Again, surprising that all this is found in such an ancient document. Truly inspired.

Is the Universe really 13.7 Billion Years Old?

One scientific method for the dating of fossils and minerals is based on what is called background microwave radiation. But it does not rely on one “clock” for its dating, but multiple clocks which endorse the reliability of the dating. These methods can give the age of the universe to an accuracy of something like 0.1%, allowing the conclusion to be drawn that the world did begin some 13.7 billion years ago.

But of the future, the Bible also talks about a world that is finite, a world that will end. It describes how this is going to happen. The following passage is just one example of such a prediction. “The sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall down from the sky and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.”

Though this is jumping a long way ahead, perhaps we should read it as a warning. Our everyday observations tell us that everything is doomed to decay. Everything is going to wear out eventually. Cosmologists tell us about black holes. A black hole is a place in space where gravity pulls so much that even light cannot get out. The gravity is so strong that huge masses of matter can be squeezed into a tiny space. Could planet earth at some point be attracted by the gravitational pull of a black hole. Does this begin to add plausibility to that being the end to the world? But what is under scrutiny right now is how we interpret what the Bible says about the beginning and development of the universe.

Creation or Evolution

The Evolution Argument

In his consideration of life in all its forms, Charles Darwin in 1859 published his famous book, On the Origin of Species. Post-Darwin, this treatise has been widely accepted and creation theory has become unfashionable. Plants and animals can easily be demonstrated as having adapted to change in circumstances. Evolutionism can take us part of the way in terms of why things are what they are, but it is not unreasonable to say that evolution by adaptation is part of the creation process.

Darwin himself was acutely aware that there were many things which his theory could not explain. He was perfectly prepared to live with these unresolved tensions. He believed that there was enough evidence available to suggest that his was the best explanation of what he observed. Given this faith in his theory, he felt he could cope with the obvious difficulties of contradictions, anomalies and loose ends and he was convinced that subsequent scientists would find explanations.

But this has not been borne out in practice. For instance, evolution theory has little to offer when asked to show the missing links between species. No fossil or other evidence has been able to throw any light on this. Indeed strata upon strata of fossil evidence shows in the lower layers, dinosaur skeletons lie alongside the skeletons of creatures which are still around today. Fossil evidence shows records of death, not evolution. And from what, forinstance, did the dinosaurs or the simplest living organisms evolve?

The Wonders of Nature

There is so much more which cannot be explained by evolution theory. The Arctic Tern, one of the longest migrators on the planet, makes a trip from the summer breeding grounds in the arctic all the way around to the Antarctic in winter and back every year. It travels a mind-boggling 44,000 miles in a year (by way of comparison, Earth’s circumference is just under 25,000 miles).

The monarch butterfly migrates in the millions to leave their summer breeding grounds in northeastern United States and Canada and travel upwards of 3000 miles to reach over-wintering grounds in Mexico. But they do not return. It is a new generation which returns northwards.

Are these practices and habits really the product of evolution- if so, what has been the evolutionary process, or are they the product of an intelligent designer, a creator?

Furthermore, we can consider the mating instinct and courtship rituals that we so often see on nature programmes. Surely it is by intelligent design that fish, birds and animals, in fact every living creature knows exactly what to do and has known what to do from the very beginning. It is such an unlikely act! How could this possibility be down to evolution?

One intriguing example is the silverfish, an insect only 12-18mm long. There is evidence that it has been around for 400 million years. It can live for up to a year without food or water. (No sign of evolution to or from other creatures, by the way). Its mating habits are fascinating. Before silverfish reproduce, they carry out a ritual involving three phases, each of which may last over half an hour. In the first phase, the male and female stand face to face, their quivering antennae touching, then repeatedly back off and return to this position. In the second phase, the male runs away and the female chases him. In the thirdphase, the male and female stand side by side and head to tail, with the male vibrating his tail against the female. Finally, the male lays a spermatophore, a sperm capsule coveredin gossamer, which the female takes into her body via her ovipositor to fertilise her eggs. The wonders of “nature!” If you wish to take a short diversion I invite you to read the whole article in Wikipedia.

However, who can deny the archaeological findings relating to predecessors of humans as we know them, the species Homo Sapiens. Although there are no missing links, we see a progression of humanoids from Neanderthal man through Homo Erectus to Homo Sapiens. It would be quite reasonable to suggest that God took two of these and implanted in them a soul, a spirit, transforming them into God’s image. We can observe that at the present stage of archaeological discoveries, it was to Homo Sapiens that the first cave drawings are attributed.

Further Endorsement of the Creation Argument

We have spent considerable time looking at cosmological, scientific and archaeological endorsement of the biblical creation story, but there is considerably more that we can examine. We can also show evidence from microscopic foundations, which needs a little scientific explanation.

If you do not want to get too scientific and are comfortable with the explanations I have presented so far, then feel free to skip the rest of the chapter.

Atoms, Elements and Molecules

An atom is the smallest constituent unit of ordinary matter that constitutes a chemical element. Atoms of different chemical elements can combine together to make molecules. For instance, a molecule of water combines two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen, that is what we mean when we say water is H2 O.

It is here that we have to delve a little deeper into science, but thankfully not too deeply. Although all this is taught in science lessons at high school, the implications may not have been realised at the time.

Every atom and every molecule- that is the constituents of every solid, liquid or gas, every living thing- be it microbe, gene, plant or animal in all its variety- is composed of three building blocks. These particles are named as protons, neutrons and electrons. Protons carry a positive charge, electrons a negative charge and neutrons are neutral. A positive and a negative charge attract each other like the electrostatic attraction observed when a balloon is rubbed against hair- the hair stands up on end. In the case of atoms, they are kept apart because the electrons rotate around the nucleus of protons and neutrons. Where does an electron get its energy from to keep rotating? Why doesn’t it slow down and eventually stop? What actually is an electron? Good questions, but answering them would take us into the depths of advanced physics, which is far from the intentions of this book. Scientists are still delving into the existence of subatomic particles. But God Knows!  It will suffice our purpose just to repeat that from these three fundamental building blocks all matter is constructed. In the same way that bricks or stones, windows and doors can be used to construct a simple pillar or a magnificent cathedral, our three constituents protons, neutrons and electrons are used to construct every atom in the universe- from hydrogen, through to substances like nitrogen, alcohol, mercury, carbon, sulphur or lead examples of all gases, liquids and solids.

It all depends how the electrons are arranged- and they are arranged with the greatest precision. For instance, hydrogen, which is the lightest substance known, comprises one proton as the nucleus, and one electron spinning around it. Oxygen has 8 protons, 8 neutrons and 8 electrons. The metal iron has 26 protons, 30 neutrons and 26 electrons to balance out the protons.

But electrons do not rotate around a nucleus in a random manner. They are arranged in groupings which govern how they will combine with other elements to make molecules. To say that it just happened or it was in a random manner would be a similar probability to a whirlwind rushing through a scrap yard and producing a Boeing 737. No, deliberate, intelligent design is the only realistic answer!

DNA

Getting really scientific, DNA is a large molecule present in every living organism which identifies its uniqueness and contributes to what each generation passes onto the next. I do not want to go into any more detail here, but it would be a fascinating study in itself. Such a large molecule could not have been the product of chance.

Finally, although science does not have all the answers it has told us some amazing things and it has come to some amazing conclusions. There is so much space inside each atom imagine perhaps the space around our solar system of the planets orbiting around the sun. We are told for example that if all the space were removed from the molecules that make up every human being who had ever existed on earth we removed then that matter would occupy a space less than a sugar lump!

The fact is that there is nothing that exists throughout world history that does not have an intelligent source, a maker, a designer, an inventor, a developer! So why should life, in all its forms- microbes, atoms, plants, animals, humans be any different?

                                                         Chapter 6

                                          Exploring the Bible Further

Continuing into Genesis 4, we read that Adam and his wife had another son. She said that God had given her a son to replace Abel, whom Cain killed. She named him Seth. Seth had a son whom he named Enoch. It was then the people began using the Lord’s holy name in worship.

Here we have our first difficulty. Where did the other people come from? We can only assume that the historic timeline is incomplete, missing out generations over many years. But this is peripheral to our main thesis.

The Covenant with Noah.

In Genesis chapters 6-9, we read that Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God. But the world had become corrupt, disordered and full of violence. Because of the corruption God said to Noah that He would destroy the whole earth.

He instructed Noah to build a big boat- the Ark- to contain Noah and his family and representatives of each living species. He would flood the whole earth destroying every living creature and make a fresh start with Noah and his family.

Genesis 6:1-8 contains some puzzling statements. We read of giants on the earth who were descendants of human women and heavenly beings? The great heroes and famous men of long ago? What are we to make of all this? It comes within the definition of mythology, tying in with Greek mythology, of giants and men with superhuman qualities. Myth or fact? We will never know. Whatever the truth in this, God put a stop to all that through the cataclysmic flood which followed. Noah and his family were spared, the evil in the world was destroyed.

He also gave the promise that He would never do it again and as a reminder He chose the rainbow, then seen as a super-natural event. We today may be able to explain through the medium of elementary physics the cause of rainbows, but each time we see a rainbow, we can be reminded of God’s promise that such a flood would never happen again. And there’s no getting away from the beauty of the natural spectacle. So often the weather forecasters show pictures of rainbows, complete arcs, or the place where the end of the rainbow touches land. I can’t wait for the grandchildren to ask the question so that I can bring God into the conversation. God even created the natural laws as a means of maintaining order.

The description of the flood is Myth. The symbolism of the rainbow is Myth. Thus these early chapters offer not a historic statement, but an interpretation of the universe, of history, and of life itself, in terms of the involvement of an entity which is “other”.

The Bible would say to us, in the symbolism of the Ark, that God considers that there is enough goodness in this ordinary humanity to make it worth his while to save it. Punishment for wrongdoing there must be. God’s judgement is inevitable. But after the flood comes the rainbow, the symbol of his promise that He would never again cause a flood to cover the earth.

It is saying that a world which chose evil and not the good that God required is abhorrent to him and He destroyed it, starting again from scratch with Noah and his family. An all powerful God. It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living, ever present God.

More Ant-ics (Sorry about that)

Recently I have been fascinated by ants nesting in our garden, accessed from under patio stones, oblivious to the human presence. Some were growing wings in readiness to make a new nest. They were settling on the windows. Some were finding their way into the house. We were prepared for an invasion. Drastic action had to be taken to remove their nests. I had to “play God” as a judge, taking total control, eliminating them by pouring water down into their nest and flooding them out. Truly this was a thought provoking moment. As far as the ants were concerned this was a super-natural event, just as the flood had been in Noah’s time.

Cultural and Scientific Endorsement of the Flood

In looking at the credibility of all this, we may note that great flood stories abound in the writings of primitive cultures across the world, each with their own explanation as to the cause- too many to conclude that a major flood did not happen. There are so many as to endorse the historical plausibility of the story! But as Myth, the Bible story, of the flood was attributed to God the Creator.

Apart from these flood stories from across the world, a recent scientific discovery has found fresh water deposits beneath the earth’s surface in porous rock, about half a million cubic kilometres, enough to cover the surface of the Earth. If on the surface of the earth,only mountaintops would be visible. These reserves in fact have been tapped into, in the United States of America, providing irrigation and hence fertility for the American prairies.

Turning to the book of Psalms, a book of poetry, song and worship, we read in Psalm 33,6 “By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; He puts the deep (the oceans) into storehouses.” I find it truly amazing that this was described over 3000 years ago.

Where does this leave us? Even if it did not happen just as it is written in the Bible, I reiterate, the writers saw that the history was not merely a sequence of events but the unfolding of a purpose. So, I say again, we must not ask the question, is it true, but what truth does it contain? The answer is simple. Again we see that God hates corruption and will punish those responsible, to the extent of wiping out (almost) the whole of his creation, even the whole of it had He thought it appropriate.

Moreover, God uses those who He can trust to help him achieve his plan.

Again we are reminded that we are dealing with a God who is powerful beyond measure.

We are dealing with a God who cares about his creation and those who He has created.

We see again that He is a God showing both justice and mercy. 

To summarise, although we can accept the initially unlikely stories as authentic, justified by the supporting evidence, we must be reminded that we are not dealing with a history book, or a science book, but a book of theology – a book about God. That is another way of saying we are not looking for accuracy, but truth about our place in the universe.

However there are so many issues that cannot be definitively proved. For these we must rely on faith and trust. I used the terms earlier. The criterion will continue to be, “does the acceptance by faith lead to truth or error?” In the New Testament definition I repeat that faith is believing something you hope for, believing a promise. My desire is to give reassurance that we can trust those who make the promises, and at the right time take a step of faith. As one writer put it, faith is spelt R-I-S-K-!

But so far, nothing has suggested that the statement is not valid- far from it, background research has reinforced the statement, “In the Beginning, God.” Simply, it has not been disproved, So it is fair to continue building on it as a valid premise, reassured by the continuity of the unfoldings story.

 
                                                       Chapter 7

                                                    The Verdict

And there I rest my case. I leave it to you, the reader to come to your own conclusion. However, I believe that I have demonstrated beyond a reasonable shadow of doubt that:
● God exists.
● God is the creator of the whole universe.
● God is a God whocares about his creation.
● God is present among his people.
● God has a purpose for each and every one of us.

We have seen examples of signs and wonders as God’s supernatural miraculous power breaking into the natural world of man and doing what is impossible by natural physical laws.

Decide for yourself. If you agree, read on. If you haven’t made up your mind yet, perhaps parts 2 and 3 will give more reality checks and evidence of God’s nature and help you come to a more informed conclusion.

There you have it. That completes my examination of the foundations of the Christian faith. Hopefully you will have some assurance of the authenticity and plausibility of the story so far.

We will move on in Part 2 to some of the building blocks from which the lighthouse is built, the creation of a nation from one man, Abraham, and his family.

Shelley’s news – 18th October

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Dear friends

Here is what the week is looking like…

Sunday 19th October 11am Service in the building and online with a group for our younger friends to explore the theme creatively.  We’ll share communion together so if you are online then do get your bread and wine/juice ready.  Theme: ‘The Church’s Mission in Acts’.  Part 1 will look at Jesus and the Church (Acts 1:9-19)

3.00pm Children’s leaders meet with Shelley in Harewood.

In the evening, Rock Solid youth groups meet 7-8pm in the building.

Monday 20th October 10-12midday Beacon Warm welcome café in the building.

Tuesday 21stOctober 10-11.30 Stepping Stones for under 5’s and their parents, grandparents and carers.  See Diane, Hilary, or Lesley for more information.

Tuesday 21st October afternoon bible study in church. See Howard or check with Lesley

Wednesday 22nd October Lunch club for all attendees and lunch club volunteers.  Speak to Rachel or Lesley for more information.

Wednesday 22nd October 7.30pm Bible study in the church building.  Speak to Ruth or Andy B, or send a message to Lesley.

Wednesday 22nd October is the next Psalm Writing/drawing workshop at 7.30pm in the building at MBC.  See Krys or Cas or myself for more information.

Thursday 23rd October 2.00 -4.00pm Craft group and warm welcome space in church building.  Do pop in and say hello.  Speak to Karen, Lesley or myself for more information or if it’s something you might be able to join or support as we are looking for helpers.

Thursday 23rd October Bible study at 7pm, see John C to check whether it’s on.

Friday 24th October Bible Study at 10.00am – 11.15 in church.  See Shelley for more information.

Friday 24th October House Group 8.00pm – 10.00 with Jonathan and Hilary D and Steve and Helen O.  Do speak to them or ask Lesley or I for more information.

Sunday 26th October 11am Service in the building and online with group for the children. ‘The Church’s Mission in Acts’.  Part 2: Empowered by the Spirit

Around the country..

Last week a talk took place online looking at theology, churches, and the mainstreaming of the far right led by Dr Krish Kandiah who is very involved with Spring Harvest.  You can listen again here if you want to hear some of the main issues and pray.

https://youtu.be/a8-3x6qwVn4

Around the city..

19th October 1-3pm at Leeds Minster.  An opportunity to meet Revd Ashraf Tannous. Hear about what it is like to be a Christian Pastor in Palestine. Click this link for more information.  Middle East Lunch, Talk and Q & A at Leeds Minster – Diocese of Leeds: Justice and Peace Commission

‘How to be a prophetic voice for change’ at Leeds Minster Prophet or Provider: The Hook Lecture 2025 Tickets, Tue, Oct 21, 2025 at 7:00 PM | Eventbrit

Saturday 25th October 10-12 midday Harrogate School of Theology are looking at the Holy Spirit with a session called ‘Another Advocate: The Holy Spirit in the New Testament’ Details here Seminar – October 2025 : Another Advocate: The Emergence of the Holy Spirit in the Writings of the New Testament – Harrogate School of Theology & Mission

Tuesday 28th October ‘The Message trust on tour’ God is on the move and can use each of us to reach our friends, communities, workplaces, but how do we play our part? Come and be equipped, inspired, and encouraged, an evening with Andy Hawthorn and team from The Message Trust.  See Claire for more information.   Leeds: Message on tour – The Message

Tuesday 18th November ‘An evening with Rev John Swales MBE of Lighthouse Church ‘What does it look like to follow Jesus in a world of climate breakdown and fractured society.  Prayer stations will offer space for lament and hope.  In the chapel at Trinity University Horsforth Campus  Creation Groans : Christ Calls Tickets, Tue, Nov 18, 2025 at 7:00 PM | Eventbrite

Saturday 22nd November. This is the second Leeds gathering for young people and young adults and all those who want to support them in sharing Jesus with others  THE SEND UK & Ireland There is a group going from MBC.  Do send a message or speak to myself or Ruth or one of the youth leaders if you want to find out more or go along with the group.

Nearer Christmas at MBC…

Sunday 7th December ‘Christmas café church’ followed by a Christmas community café with live music and refreshments.  Everyone welcome! Kevin Sinfield will be running past the church building at about 1.15/1.30pm on his final day of the 7 in 7 in 7 Challenge 2025 raising money for those affected by Motor Neuron Disease. Please click on the link here. Look up day 7 and you will see where we are on the map!  Kevin will run by Moortown Baptist Church and then onto Beckett Park University Campus to begin the Leeds Santa Dash.  More information here by clicking this link Run For All launches Leeds Santa Dash as final leg of Kevin Sinfield’s 7in7: Together Challenge.

Sunday 14th December will also see the return of carol singing in a local home for the elderly, feel free to speak to Rachel B or Claire for more information.  Our wreath making workshop is taking place in the afternoon of the 14th and its open to everyone!  More information to come.

Do check out the website and face book page to see what’s been going on this week and what’s coming up!  www.moortownbapstistchurch.org.uk

In Christ

Shelley

Shelley Dring

Minister

Moortown Baptist Church

204 King Lane

Leeds

LS17 6AA

0113 2693750

Registered charity: 1128960

www.moortownbaptistchurch.org.uk

 

Usual working days: Sundays – Thursdays

Is the Bible True? Chapters 3 & 4 of Part 1. By John Whitehead

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Chapter 3

Looking at the Bible – a First Glimpse

Although not a history book, the Bible is loosely held together by a historic timeline, describing first the creation of the universe, creation of life in all its forms, then through the unfolding relationship between God and humankind through God making a promise – a covenant, to a people group, with the people’s responses to the outworking of this covenant among individuals and the nation. It records history, it even records history before it happens, but its main purpose is to interpret the events in terms of “God’s Story”.

Quite simply, The Bible is the way God chose to communicate with the world.

Covenant is a word which needs explaining, as it forms the basis of the Bible. A Covenant is a promise which cannot be broken. Taking it further, it is legally binding. It can be unconditional, or it can be conditional. For instance, in a domestic setting, a parent may say to a child, I promise that when you are 18, I will buy you a car. That is an unconditional covenant. Or to a delinquent child, if you give up shoplifting, I will buy you a car when you are 18. That is conditional. It is saying, “I will if you will ”.

The Bible is divided into 2 sections: the Old Testament and the New Testament.

The Old Testament, sometimes referred to as “the Book of the Covenant” containing both unconditional and conditional covenants, covers the first 39 books of the Bible. Most were written in Hebrew, some in Aramaic, and later ones in Greek, between about 1200 and 100 BC. They comprise the chief texts of the law, history, poetry and song, prophecy and wisdom literature of the ancient people of Israel.

However, this Covenant failed due to the chosen people ceasing to follow God, disobeying their part of the covenant, by choosing false gods to address their worship.

The New Testament, a New Covenant, again conditional, is a new offer to the whole of humankind, comprising 27 books and letters. The first four are devoted to the life and work of Jesus. These are followed by accounts of the development of the infant church, with accounts and letters relating to the challenges which the church was facing as it grew and spread further and further from its birthplace in Jerusalem. The final book, Revelation, contains imagery predicting what it is going to be like when this finite world, the world as we know it, ends. But the overriding message is one of hope, but only for those who keep their part of the covenant.

Some Facts about the Bible

The Bible is a unique book, the contents of which were written over a period of 1500 years, beginning around 3500 years ago and ending around 2000 years ago. The first chapters are documented stories that were handed down by word-of-mouth from generation to generation. No other book of history or otherwise covers such a great time span or is comparable in its content or structure. It is formed into one volume, but the collection of the 66 books, booklets and letters, in reality comprise a whole library. Here is another approach to the question of whether we need to read it all. When I consider my own library, I look at the shelves and see a variety of subject areas – history, poetry, literature, reference books and novels. Have I read them all from cover to cover? The simple answer is no! Some I bought for one particular chapter; some have ceased to have any relevance. Yet there are favourites which have become dog-eared from reading and re-reading.

Completed some 2000 years ago and ignored by many, it is still a bestseller. To date, the full Bible has been translated into 670 languages, the New Testament has been translated into 1,521 languages and portions or stories into 1,121 other languages. In others, the language has been adapted and simplified so that the narrative of the Bible is accessible to children, even very young children.

A recent translation, the New International Version, published in 1985, has already sold more than 450 million copies. The Bible business is booming. In all, there are annual sales of 40 million Bibles – from study Bibles to family Bibles to pocket Bibles. What is there about it which keeps more and more people wanting it? Does this not indicate that it might be relevant not only in previous generations but also our own?

Moreover, looking at the diversity of the writings the writers came from three continents, Asia, Europe and Africa. It has more than 40 authors who, as I have said, wrote in three different languages. Each writer had his own personality, writing style and worldview. The biblical authors lived in different eras and came from different cultures. Some were Jews and some were non-Jews. Some were kings and some were paupers. Some were highly educated and some had little formal education. Some were religious leaders, some were political leaders, some were prophets, and some were simple ordinary people. Such diversity is unparalleled in the written word.

The first edition of the Bible as we know it today was assembled around 400 AD, containing the 39 books of the Old Testament and the 27 books of the New Testament.

But what about the nature of these writings? With such diversity, it is surprising that it has the one continuing, unifying theme from the first book to the last. The overarching consideration with each author and work is its careful examination and outworking of human nature. Taken together, they reveal the human condition in all its many forms, be they good or bad. Similarly, it may go without saying that they also share a theme in examining the nature and character and promises of God, over the whole 3500-year period. But most importantly it examines the interrelationship between God and humankind.

So, to read it as a historical document misses the point of what the Bible is about. The Bible tells us that God cares for the whole of his creation and that we can know him personally, love him and follow his way, and guide us away from the massed forces of greed, hate, cruelty and the rest of the forces which disfigure humankind, and offer us a future which goes beyond death of our body. It is these considerations which make this book, the Bible, unique in history and why it is read and followed around the world today.

Perhaps in answer to the question of why the Bible is still a bestseller, it is because the people who use it do find it is relevant, making a difference in their lives and the lives of others – indeed, to the whole world.

So then, what do we find in the library which is the Bible?

The Bible makes some statements as scientific facts, but again, it is not a scientific book. The role of science is to probe the observable world, while the role of the Bible is to reveal the unobservable. Science, in its ongoing task of observing the world, must respond to the question how? How did it all come about? What processes were at work? When the findings of science endorse what is written in the Bible then we have greater cause to believe and accept what we read. It is this angle which we will be pursuing throughout. But the Bible does not focus primarily on the how – rather, it goes on to answer the question that science can never begin to answer. And that question is – why? Why are we here? What was God’s purpose in creating? What is the basic reason for our being alive? We must hold these questions in tension for the time being and address them later. But since the Bible record stops around 100 years after Christ’s birth it does not provide the whole answer. That is why we need the church to help us interpret the Biblical concepts and statements for each new generation. Church is the place where character is made and remade, where we can be guided and encouraged in following “The Way”.

If you do not have a copy of the Bible, it is worth buying one, preferably in a modern translation. I find the New International Version excellent. You may prefer a different version, of which there are several. The Good News Bible deserves a special mention as it combines reliability with simple and straightforward language.

A recent newcomer on the scene is “The Book of God” by Walter Wangerin, published in 1996. It is the Bible written as a blockbuster novel. If you like novels where 800 pages or so of text don’t daunt you, then this book will give you a unique overview of the whole Bible in just a few days of reading, although the writer uses his imagination to embellish the Bible narrative.

But if you do not wish to buy one yet, the text and much more, is readily available on a number of websites including www.biblestudytools.com and www.biblegateway.com

It is not like any other book. It is a book about life the way it really is. It is a book about people who at one and the same time can be both believing and unbelieving, innocent and guilty, honest and dishonest, full of hope and full of despair. In other words, it is a book about us and as I have already said, about God. If it is not about the God we believe in, then it is about the God we do not believe in. One way or another the story we find in the Bible is not just God’s Story but our own story.

Chapter 4

The Foundations

Over the course of this book I will from time to time invite the reader to read verses or chapters of the Bible. Whilst one can to some extent continue without following the actual texts, be assured that by reading the text, your understanding will be greatly enriched.

In the Beginning

It is now time to look at what is written in the Bible. Read chapters 1, 2 and 3 of the book of Genesis, the first book of the Bible.

But first I want to address the question of what sort of writing is represented in the first few chapters of Genesis.

Myth

Here is another word which needs explaining. The simple fact is that these chapters and later ones are Myth. I hear the comment that if it is all a myth then you are admitting that it is not true!

Yes, in common usage, a myth purports to be true, but in reality, is simply pure fiction. But we must differentiate between three applications of this word – Myth, A myth and Mythology.

  • Myth is a proper noun. It is a traditional story, one concerning the early history of a people group or explaining an observable phenomenon, typically involving a super-natural being.
  • A myth suggests a widely held but false belief or idea.
  • Mythology is similar to Myth, except that the stories are as a rule unsubstantiated by relating to an observable situation. In Greek mythology for example, the stories related to a multiplicity of gods whom they worshipped. They resembled humans, except that they surpassed them in beauty, stature and strength. They were not exempt from human emotions, frequently exhibiting revenge, deceit and jealousy. Inter-marriage with humans is often described. For instance, Hercules was the son of Zeus, the king of the gods, and the mortal woman Alcmene. Zeus, who was always chasing one woman or another, took on the form of Alcmene’s husband, Amphitryon, and visited Alcmene one night in her bed. Thus Hercules was born, a demi-god with incredible strength and stamina.

Not unique to Greece, similar stories abound in cultures across the world.

Unfortunately, in modern usage, the second definition is the one many people think of when the term is used – that a myth is pure fiction.

Here are some modern myths. Drinking coffee dehydrates you. Although it does have a minor dehydrating effect, the fact is that it irritates the bladder, and we all know the effect of that! It is a myth. In ancient times, Greek parents believed they could choose the sex of their child by eating orchid tubers. If the father ate thick tubers, the child would be male. If the mother ate thinner ones, the child would be female. There is of course no truth in this myth.

Hence it is necessary to state categorically that it is the first definition which will be used exclusively hereafter. Myth is a style of writing, a genre of written text, in the same way as narrative, novel, poetry, biography, prophecy, parable and allegory are all genres of the written word. Of course they should not be taken literally.

So you will see that the creation accounts are Myth.

If you find the use of the word Myth distracting here just substitute story or stories about God.

Genesis Chapter 1

The passage begins, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the Earth. Now the Earth was formless and empty, Darkness was over the surface of the deep. And the spirit of God moved over the face of the waters.”

In those few words it is stating: –

  • There is a Supreme Being, which we call God.
  • There was a beginning and God created matter out of nothing – just emptiness.
  • The universe exists only because God was there to initiate creation. He was there before the creation of the universe. He is outside the universe. He could no more create the universe from the inside than a joiner make a box from the inside.
  • God created by his Word, his spoken words.
  • God’s Spirit was there at creation.

In paraphrasing the next section of the text, we see that God spoke on different days and different things were brought into being, and he did it in an orderly manner.

God said, “Let there be Light,” and there was light. God separated the light from the darkness. He called the light, day and the darkness, night. At that time, water covered the face of the Earth, but God said, “let the waters be gathered in one place and let dry land appear”.

He called the dry ground “land” and the water he called “seas”. Here we include inanimate matter, solids, liquids and gases. He created vegetation and all plants, then life in all its forms – insects, fish, birds. He created mammals. Finally, he created humankind, male and female, the pinnacle of the created world, created in his image, with the instruction to be fruitful and multiply.

And yes, he even created sex. I think he must have had a great sense of humour when you consider the actual reproductive act. I know when it was explained to me as a child it seemed most strange, beyond my comprehension. I just could not believe what my parents had had to do in order to produce me! More so considering the dual function of the parts involved. Yet it provides the pinnacle of human intimacy, surpassing that found in all other mammals.

God saw that what he had created was good. He was pleased with what he had made. Humankind, unlike any other creature, has a point of contact with God and is able to respond to him in a different way from the other animals. Moreover, the world means much to its creator.

Finally, on the 7th day he rested.

He created humankind in his own image! What does that mean? I stated in chapter one that I wanted to subject the statements in the Bible to current knowledge but as we begin to read even in the first few pages we encounter a statement which is beyond complete understanding. We are created In the image of God. Its simplest interpretation would say that we are made like Him. Each of us has a minute fraction of his intelligence, his power, his judgement, his reasoning, his love, his appreciation of beauty. But there is so much more.

Some understand the Image of God to mean those qualities that make us human, for example: possessing a soul, higher-order reasoning, self-consciousness, consciousness of God and the ability to have a relationship with Him. This seems like a good definition, since only humans are in God’s image, and these are qualities that make us human.

In the previous section we saw that the Image of God in Genesis 1:26-27 means people being God’s representative rulers in his creation.

  1. Richard Middleton (Roberts Wesleyan College) puts it well in The Liberating Image. He offers that the image of God describes, “The royal office or calling of human beings as God’s representatives and agents in the world.” Image of God means that humans have been given power to share in God’s rule or administration of the earth’s resources and creatures.

But supremely, the apostle Paul, describes Jesus as the image of the invisible God. Not like Adam who was made in the image of God. Jesus is the exact copy of his nature. Thus, to know Jesus is to know God.

And he gave us free will to use or misuse what he has given us. That is a lot of responsibility! But without free will you cannot have real love. You can’t be forced to love somebody. God loved the whole of his creation and that of course includes every person he had made, and he wants each one of us to love him in return.

In Genesis Chapter 2 we read a second account of the creation. Here we have Myth coming from a different source, it does differ, but it mainly complements the first account. It describes how he created the two genders, placing the man and the woman in a beautiful environment, named as the Garden of Eden and giving them the responsibility of looking after the created order. But it is not just the story of one man and one woman. It is the story of every man and every woman.

I would comment here that the Bible does not shy away from conflicting accounts of events. I repeat that its purpose is not to chronicle history, but to tell us about God. We will unpack this further when we look at the question, “What is Truth?”

An Illustration from the Humble Ant

If you find this concept of creation coupled with caring difficult to accept, let me tell you about a visit I made recently to the tropical house at Roundhay Park in Leeds. There, in a carefully controlled, completely enclosed environment, which was specially designed and created for them, live a colony of leaf-cutting ants. (As an aside, ants have a highly structured society, second only to that of the human race.) They can be observed going about their business of cutting and collecting leaves on which they grow their food, a sort of fungus, taking the leaves to the nest, attending to the pupae, attending to the queen, removing waste. All this, completely oblivious to the people watching them through their glass enclosure, oblivious of the keepers who provide for them and care for them – bringing fresh supplies of leaves, maintaining the correct temperature and humidity. Provision and protection. This seems something of an analogy to the Garden of Eden, where Adam and Eve were placed.

Also, I am reminded of a story of a vicar of a village church, returning to the vicarage after the morning service. Along the way he saw old Bert tending his flowerbeds. He stopped to admire the beautiful garden and commented, “Fine garden you and God have there, Bert.” Bert replied in his broad dialect, “Aye Vicar, but tha’ should’ve seen it when God ‘ad it to hissen.” The simple fact is that God gave humankind the responsibility of continuing the work of maintaining his creation, continuing to bring order out of disorder.

Unfortunately that responsibility has been misused and abused. Nature has been exploited. One only has to look at, for example, a rainforest, seeing the beauty of this natural ecosystem in all its complexity and variety to wonder at and realise what God can do on his own. Then we see destruction of thousands of acres of rainforest replaced with plantations of palm trees, producing palm oil to satisfy consumer demand, although justified as fulfilling the needs of the developed world. Need or greed? All this is a by-product of having free will.

Yet we are part of God’s purpose and plan for the universe. And it is an unfolding story.

Before we proceed further, I would ask the question, to what extent can we believe the creation accounts? Already I understand absolutely how preposterous the whole thing must sound to most people, so we must ask the question, “Is there any truth in these statements?”

What is Truth?

In a criminal trial, the jury or magistrate has to decide whether the accused is guilty or innocent. He hears evidence from witness statements and on the basis of these and other evidence he makes his decision. But what becomes clear is that the witness statements can vary – each seeing the event from a slightly different standpoints, resulting in a number of minor discrepancies between the statements. Even though the evidence of each witness may be true, the judge has to decide what is the truth in order to reach his verdict. Conversely, if two witnesses are identical in every detail there is suspicion that there has been collusion between them and the reliability of the evidence is under question.

This happens often in the Bible. We have seen this in two differing, but complementary accounts of the creation story in the first two chapters of the book of Genesis. As in the case of witnesses, we see accounts written from different standpoints. So we should not ask the question why there is a difference and is one true and one false, but we should be exploring what is the truth contained in such instances.

Jonah and the Whale

We probably all know the story about Jonah being swallowed by a whale. Going into the detail, Jonah is given the task of going to Nineveh and warning them that God was angry because of their wickedness and he would destroy them after 40 days unless they changed their ways.

There was nothing that Jonah would have liked more than to see Nineveh destroyed because of their corrupt practices, so instead of taking the boat to Nineveh, to flee from the Lord, he took a boat going in the opposite direction. But God intervened, sending a storm which resulted in Jonah being thrown overboard, swallowed by a whale, spending three days inside the whale before being regurgitated. From there he obeyed God, went to Nineveh, and warned the people of their oncoming fate. They repented, and Nineveh was saved from being destroyed.

Asking the questions, Is it true, or is it just a fairy tale? Did a whale really swallow Jonah? misses the whole point of the story. Whether the whale did swallow Jonah or indeed if Jonah swallowed the whale for that matter is irrelevant to the central message. Although examples have been recorded of a person surviving after being swallowed by a whale, feel free to conclude that it is just a story, but a story with a message, demonstrating a truth.

First, we need to fill in some missing parts of the account, which contains even more unlikely details.

Jonah was angry with God – he waited in the east of the city still hoping that God would bring the destruction that Jonah so desired. In the heat of the afternoon God caused a vine to grow to provide shade for Jonah and so ease his discomfort, but during the night God caused the vine to die so in the morning the scorching sun made Jonah feel wretched. He was angry with God for killing the vine.

God’s response contains the climax of the story. He pointed out Jonah’s concern about the vine justifying his own concern about that great city of 120,000 people, even though they were so misguided.

The primary theme of the story of Jonah and the Whale is that God’s love, grace and compassion extend to everyone, even outsiders and oppressors. God loves all people. Whatever we have done no-one is beyond God’s forgiveness.

The important question is not whether it is true, but realising the truth contained in the story.

Otherwise, in looking at the authenticity of the Bible, we ask the question, how does it stand up to what we know today? Is it contradicted or is it substantiated and supported by current knowledge?

A scientific study will start with a statement of an idea, a premise, a theory, a hypothesis and attempt to explain the reason for some current observations on the basis of that theory. The theory is only demonstrated to be correct if it continues to provide correct explanations of current observations. As laymen, we may not understand, but we accept the findings, having faith in the integrity of the scientists.

Let me explain using some simple statements which have been shown to be incorrect.

The Earth is Flat

We can probably all remember reading that at one time, the best scientists told us that the world – the earth – was flat. Theologians built their faith on a flat earth. That worked alright for a time, but they couldn’t answer the question of what happened at the edges. It was only when explorers began to sail across the seas, they began to realise that this may not be so, and of course explorers eventually discovered that the Earth was round, or a globe, which is now easily verified. The Flat Earth theory was proven to be wrong, but for a time, those who believed in a spherical globe were condemned as heretics. A theological shift had to be made then and shifts in our understanding should still be able to be made today.

Father Christmas

And then there is the Father Christmas story. What parent doesn’t tell their children that it is Father Christmas who brings all the presents, describing his special clothes, his beard, reindeer driving his sleigh through the sky, leaving the presents they included on the list and posted to Father Christmas in Lapland… I could go on. This forms the experience of children around the world. But it’s not many Christmases before the child’s suspicions grow and they begin to realise that the whole thing was a very pleasant, a very cosy story, with the whole scenario made up. It was all down to Mum and Dad. Sadly, in this generation, the true meaning of Christmas so often fades into the background. It is Jesus’s birthday, but we give presents to each other!

We have a similar scenario with the tooth fairy. But we are back in the realms of myths again!

Thus, if observation disagrees with prediction, we would have to conclude the hypothesis was false. If the observations do agree with the predictions, we can still rely on the original proposition. We like to think that science provides correct, true and accurate explanations of natural phenomena but that is not always the case.

Every student of elementary physics has been taught that light travels in straight lines. But Einstein demonstrated that light passing a large mass is deflected somewhat towards that mass.

I like the definition of Tom McLeish which says, “Good science is arguably about being false in a constructive way that takes us nearer to the truth.”

Although we do not have all the answers, we do not abandon the whole theory. There are so often fuzzy unexplained edges to scientific theories.

With Einstein came a new branch of physics which explored the fuzzy edges beyond traditional physics. Even newer branches of astrophysics are finding more fuzzy edges of our knowledge of the universe. Terms like black holes, antimatter, negative energy, quarks, bring the realisation that our understanding of how the universe was created is still far from complete and tidily buttoned up. This is the universe that God created. So what can we say but ……only God Knows!

In the Beginning

The Bible states that the universe had a beginning. How does that tie in with scientific evidence?

Early in the 20th century the prevailing wisdom in the scientific community was the Steady State Theory which said that the Universe has always been here and while it may fade away at the edges it is being replenished from the centre – not so good for the statement, “In the beginning, God created.”

The Big Bang

However, “Big Bang” changed all that. The Big Bang theory was propounded in 1927. Scientists believe that the universe began as a very hot, minute and dense single tiny point, when there was a big explosion generating tremendous heat and subsequently light and energy. Atoms, molecules, photons (light), the theory decrees, were created out of nothing at a particular moment in time, creating matter and propelling it outward to make the billions of galaxies of our vast universe. Astrophysicists dubbed this unique explosion as the Big Bang. This process did not happen immediately; it was a process occupying many millions of years.

Observations by astronomers and physicists of the behaviour of stars and galaxies have established a date for the Big Bang to a point in time some 13.7 billion years ago. Their observations can follow the steps from the first second of the Big Bang onwards. Much has been written on this subject explaining and justifying the theory, (a theory on which subsequent observations have been checked and found to be correct). However, the first minute fraction of a second following the Big Bang is still beyond the scientific explanation, (but it is getting us closer to the truth) before which there was nothing but an empty void. And what initiated it in the first place is still beyond science. Again, only God Knows! Not a blasphemous remark, but a statement of truth, probably the ultimate truth. God Knows! He should – He is the one who initiated it. God said, “Let There Be Light,” and there was light. Not bad for a statement from 3500 years ago, that God did the creating – out of nothing! He is all powerful. To use the theological term, He is omnipotent. Here is the truth of what science has established, but is still striving to address the question, how it was achieved by this Being, this supreme being whose whole identity we are endeavouring to explore. But like the limits of scientific exploration, God can never be fully known. There will always be aspects of his being, character and nature which will remain a mystery! It responds to the who, what, when, but doesn’t get anywhere near the where, how and why. Why did God create? Was there a reason? Did he have a purpose? I’ll let those questions hover above us for the time being. Again, only God Knows! He is all knowing. Again, He is Omniscient!

What about creation taking seven days? Note that it is not God who is defining days but the writer describing the activity of God. If we follow the chronologies and genealogies through the Bible we would arrive at the age of the world being 5779 years from the day of creation – a discrepancy, it may seem. But we must remind ourselves that these earlier accounts are stories handed down by word of mouth over many generations, many centuries before actually being committed to a written document.

There is no need to be alarmed at this discrepancy. Remember that it is the words that God spoke that are important and not the timing. Remember that we are looking for the underlying truth behind these descriptions. The timing is a writer’s interpretation of the flow of events that happened, the results of which are plain for all to see. Moreover, we are dealing with a God who is outside time and in any case his timing is not our timing. He is Omnipresent. God occupies the atmosphere as we occupy our bodies. Remember also that we are dealing with Myth.

But as the disagreement over the age of the earth does not tell us anything about the nature of God, the nature of humankind, or their interrelationship, it is outside the scope of this book. The question I would pose is, does it make any difference to the way we live our lives whether the Earth is young or old? Again, the following chapters will be exploring in much more detail how God wants us to live our lives. The God who is a God of events. The God who is outside time. The God who even created time!

So what have we observed about the nature of God, the nature of humankind and the relationship between the two from reading these first few chapters?

Whereas every culture throughout history has had its own picture of something Other, an external Power, a god, often a multiplicity of gods – a sun god, a moon god, a god who controlled the weather, a god of fertility and so on, having to be appeased by sacrifices, even child sacrifice. Here is a God who is different. A God who is the creator of everything, a creator who is involved with his creation, created solely by his Word.

A God of Justice

But God has demonstrated some things which could be seen to be cruel. How does this fit into the concept of him being a caring God? Adam and Eve were banished from the beautiful garden; woman is committed to pain in childbirth; man is committed to toil to get the ground to produce food. As we read on in Genesis 4, we read about two of Adam’s sons, Cain and Abel. Out of jealousy, Cain kills Abel. The Lord had been watching over what happened and put Cain under a curse and committed him to be a restless wanderer, a nomad. Thus, we see God as a God of justice. But as we continue reading, we will never get away from the fact that God loves his creation and cares about it and is involved with what he created. He is also a God of mercy. We could say that he is Omnibenevolent.

We have seen some basic characteristics of our nature. Adam and Eve had the choice whether to obey God or not. The first thing we find out about Adam and Eve is that they were curious. “Will I really die if I eat the fruit?” Secondly, they, like all people since and always, had free will, more of that later. But Adam and Eve disobeyed and then tried to shift the blame. Adam blamed Eve, Eve blamed the serpent and, as they say, the serpent didn’t have a leg to stand on. Better get back to being serious. Here we see the introduction of a Tempter, figuratively represented here as a serpent, one who exploits the gift of free will given to humanity, present from the very beginning. Later, he will be described as the devil or Satan.

The serpent told Adam and Eve that the King cannot be trusted. He says the love of God is not genuine and his word is not true. “Don’t listen to Him” the liar whispers. “Find your own way. Make your own rules. Satisfy your own desires. Freedom awaits you. Be like God.”

Adam and Eve are enticed by the promise of personal autonomy and the allure of the sovereign self. The Kingdom is torn by revolt. But rebellion does not bring freedom, though. Instead, it brings brokenness, disgrace, guilt, slavery and struggle. In a word, the action of Adam and Eve, this turning away from God was – back to that word – SIN. Sin came into the world through Adam and Eve. The serpent accused God of lying. Adam and Eve believed the serpent. They suffered the consequences. We are still suffering the consequences. The political systems around the world today, in the wars and desire for self-aggrandisement demonstrate this on a daily basis.

This deviation from God’s instruction in Eden consisted in Eve and Adam thinking they were capable of facing an unknown future without God, provided they had sufficient knowledge. This is what has been described as original sin, meaning the sin that is part of being human. We have arms and legs and a body, and we also have not only free will, but original sin, the temptation and giving in to that is built into us. We all have something of that serpent living in us – instilling doubt, mistrust, disobedience.

And as humankind becomes more advanced and resourceful in a developing world so too do his choices, and his distancing from awareness of God.

So, summarising what we have observed so far: –

  • He operates in ways which are outside the boundaries of mathematical, physical, chemical, in fact all natural laws – which gives a word with a particular definition in the Bible, Super-natural.
  • How did he effect creation? It was by his Word alone. Moreover, he was pleased with what he had created, and it was good.
  • He recognised that rest is an essential part of the cycle of living. The concepts of recreation and re-creation come to mind here.
  • God is outside time. He was present to initiate the creation of the universe, matter and life. He continued to be present with Adam and Eve, who heard not only the sound of him walking in the garden in the cool of the day, but heard his voice speaking to the
  • Cain left the area and left God’s presence, but God still protected him.
  • God is a God of justice, but also a God of mercy.

So far nothing discussed discredits the statement “In the Beginning, God”.

Adam and Eve were trying to make their own standards, but disobedience has its consequences. The ultimate standards of good and evil are not ours to settle. Humankind must recognise their limits as creatures under authority, and it is God’s prerogative to determine what is right and what is wrong. But this is what men and women try to do. The temptation to make their own standards of right and wrong, to flout God’s authority, to run the world in their own way often proves irresistible. Pride and greed is their undoing. Their pride makes them want to be on the level with God. Inevitably disaster follows. Human relationships are tarnished. The world becomes a hostile place. Worst of all a barrier divides man from God.

Finally, we have seen some basic characteristics of man’s nature. Adam and Eve had the choice whether to obey God or not. The first thing we find out about Adam and Eve is that they were curious. Will I really die if I eat the fruit? Secondly, they like all people then and now have free will. Free will gave them the opportunity to choose God’s way or their own way.

Next week we finish Part 1 and move on to the first couple of chapters of Part  2… Building on the Foundations – See what God can do. 

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