May 2009 - Vol. 31 No. 5

The Rector writes:

Dear Friends,

Earlier this year it was reported that the Poet Laureate, Andrew Motion, an atheist, was lamenting the fact that so few students of English have read the Bible. Therefore they do not understand the many Bible quotations and themes that occur in classic literature.

I would also like people to read the Bible – but for different reasons. The Bible tells the story of our faith. The Old Testament contains the scriptures of the Jewish people, and this forms the background to the New Testament, containing the Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Next comes The Acts of the Apostles, followed by letters of Paul and others, and finally the Revelation to John. The Gospels are about Jesus, while Acts tells of the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the first Christians on the Day of Pentecost, and describes how the good news of Jesus Christ spread out from Jerusalem. Now people all over the world have heard the story of the life, death and resurrection from the dead of Jesus Christ.

Christians believe that the Bible is inspired by God and that through its writings God speaks to us. We need the Holy Spirit as our guide, but we also need the expertise of Bible scholars. Many Christians find it helpful to use daily Bible reading notes. As for the Bible itself, a good modern translation is recommended. In this Cluster you are likely to come across the New Revised Standard Version and New International Version and some others. There are also Bibles for children and young people. At one time most children were told Bible stories in school and Sunday school and many learned some prayers and Bible texts by heart. Some texts and phrases would be added to the memory bank subconsciously through singing them in hymns, choruses and worship songs. This is not so today and many young people and young adults have little or no knowledge of the faith that has shaped our culture.

When visiting care homes for the elderly I meet some people whose memories are failing and some who are confused and yet, whenever well known hymns and carols are sung or the Lord’s Prayer is said, they almost always join in. What we are taught in childhood stays with us. For those nearing the end of their lives, and indeed for any of us in times of trouble, words from the Bible can be called to mind to bring comfort and hope. I wonder what, if anything, there will be for present and future generations to draw on in times of trouble.

With love and prayers
Glynis Hetherington