The Reverend Judy writes...........
There are some things that we feel we should know, and that to admit we have little or no knowledge would be embarrassing. Sometimes we feel we have missed the boat in trying to gain that knowledge... I'm too old to start learning that... I haven't got enough time... it's not so important, is it? Well, sometimes it is.
A wise person once said to me that when an opportunity presents itself, we should always take it, even if it is not that convenient, as that opportunity might not present itself again! wise words indeed. How often do we wish we'd done something and now it's too late?
Sometimes we lack the information we need and can look it up easily - for instance knowing all the kings and queens of England in order. Other times it's more difficult - like knowing your way around the Bible. I am sure most of us have a copy of the Bible gathering dust on a shelf, given to us at our christening or on leaving school, and there it stayed.
The Bible is a book like no other - it is in fact a collection of books put together. It is the best-selling book of all tim and despite its popularity, many are sceptical or uninterested. They consider the Bible to be outdated, irrelevant and simply not worth reading. It's an ancient document with superstitious tales that bear no resemblance to modern life. Or it is a book of rules - do's and don'ts that are old fashioned and arbitrary. No one wants to read a book like that!
Yes, the Bible is an ancient book with some strange, some unbelievable and some amazing stories. Yes, it does contain what we might call "rules". Yet those descriptions are in danger of exchanging what the Bible genuinely is, for what people have made it to be. Is it possible there is more to the Bible than rules and tall tales?
In order to make honest judgments, we must first understand what is truly is. What is the Bible? How should we best
describe it?
The Bible is as relevant today as when it was written. Why? Because it speaks of God's relationship with his people and their relationship with him - you and me! It is full of the kind of stories that blockbusters are made of - love , intrigue, war, history, biography, family disputes, greed, poetry, myth and so much more. We can use the Bible to guide us and teach us and lead us into truth. How can this be? It can be because human nature down the centuries has not changed - we see man's inhumanity to man as well, as man's loving kindness to fellow human beings. The Bible has been so controversial over the centuries that it has been banned in many countries. It is a subversive document!
Reading the Bible takes time and energy and practicw. It requires thought and reflection. So how might we go about it? Where to start? I don't suggest starting at page 1 and ploughing through, though you might like to.
We are offering a 5 WEEK COURSE giving an overview of the Bible - a launch pad to wet your appetite and help you begin your exploration of the greatest book ever written. No prior knowledge will be expected, just an initial 5 week
commitment.
The course starts on THURSDAY 1st NOVEMBER, 7.30pm AT CRESSAGE VICARAGE. What better way to spend a dreary November evening than to discover what the Bible has to offer and excite you for ever more.
DETAILS FROM Rev Judy 01952 510417 or [email protected]
There are some things that we feel we should know, and that to admit we have little or no knowledge would be embarrassing. Sometimes we feel we have missed the boat in trying to gain that knowledge... I'm too old to start learning that... I haven't got enough time... it's not so important, is it? Well, sometimes it is.
A wise person once said to me that when an opportunity presents itself, we should always take it, even if it is not that convenient, as that opportunity might not present itself again! wise words indeed. How often do we wish we'd done something and now it's too late?
Sometimes we lack the information we need and can look it up easily - for instance knowing all the kings and queens of England in order. Other times it's more difficult - like knowing your way around the Bible. I am sure most of us have a copy of the Bible gathering dust on a shelf, given to us at our christening or on leaving school, and there it stayed.
The Bible is a book like no other - it is in fact a collection of books put together. It is the best-selling book of all tim and despite its popularity, many are sceptical or uninterested. They consider the Bible to be outdated, irrelevant and simply not worth reading. It's an ancient document with superstitious tales that bear no resemblance to modern life. Or it is a book of rules - do's and don'ts that are old fashioned and arbitrary. No one wants to read a book like that!
Yes, the Bible is an ancient book with some strange, some unbelievable and some amazing stories. Yes, it does contain what we might call "rules". Yet those descriptions are in danger of exchanging what the Bible genuinely is, for what people have made it to be. Is it possible there is more to the Bible than rules and tall tales?
In order to make honest judgments, we must first understand what is truly is. What is the Bible? How should we best
describe it?
The Bible is as relevant today as when it was written. Why? Because it speaks of God's relationship with his people and their relationship with him - you and me! It is full of the kind of stories that blockbusters are made of - love , intrigue, war, history, biography, family disputes, greed, poetry, myth and so much more. We can use the Bible to guide us and teach us and lead us into truth. How can this be? It can be because human nature down the centuries has not changed - we see man's inhumanity to man as well, as man's loving kindness to fellow human beings. The Bible has been so controversial over the centuries that it has been banned in many countries. It is a subversive document!
Reading the Bible takes time and energy and practicw. It requires thought and reflection. So how might we go about it? Where to start? I don't suggest starting at page 1 and ploughing through, though you might like to.
We are offering a 5 WEEK COURSE giving an overview of the Bible - a launch pad to wet your appetite and help you begin your exploration of the greatest book ever written. No prior knowledge will be expected, just an initial 5 week
commitment.
The course starts on THURSDAY 1st NOVEMBER, 7.30pm AT CRESSAGE VICARAGE. What better way to spend a dreary November evening than to discover what the Bible has to offer and excite you for ever more.
DETAILS FROM Rev Judy 01952 510417 or [email protected]