Category: God

THERE’S MORE TO CHRISTIANITY THAN THIS

October 31, 2023 /

AN INSIPID CREED THAT FAILS TO RECORD HISTORIC FACTS: SURELY THERE’S MORE TO CHRISTIANITY THAN THIS?

 

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Somehow or another the following declaration has been incorporated into our morning church worship. The congregation is invited “Let us declare our faith in God in the words of the creed” by saying these words:-

We believe in God the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named.

We believe in God the Son, who lives in our hearts through faith, and fills us with his love.

We believe in God the Holy Spirit, who strengthens us with power from on high.

We believe in one God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Amen.[1]

This version of the creed is authorised for use by the Church of England but it is a pallid relative of the real thing. This matters. My first exposure to institutional Christianity was aged 7 in a small parish church in Broadstairs, Kent. Each week Matins from the Book of Common Prayer was followed including the recitation of the Apostle’s Creed.

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried: He descended into hell; The third day he rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost; The holy Catholick Church; The Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body, And the Life everlasting. Amen.

I’m not pretending that I found this gripping at the time, all the time.  Some of the time my attention was directed to the urgent business of ripping off a button to put into the collection bag so that I could pocket the threepenny bit that was intended for that purpose but which I intended for fish and chips.  Even when not diverted I didn’t understand all of it, but I understood enough to get an idea of the core of what Christians believed. Coming from a Jewish home a lot of it was news to me. I’m grateful for the weekly repetition of this concise statement of faith. It burned its way into my memory and has provided plenty of nourishment. Today, over half a century later, it still does. Comparing this with the emaciated version any child at church would have heard last Sunday I am struck by the inadequacy of the new liturgy.

To the uninitiated, the new version tells us next to nothing about Jesus. His name does not feature. You would never know that there was a real person called Jesus who lived and died at a particular historical time: i.e. when Pontius Pilate was in power. The incarnation is not so much as hinted at in the new version, yet without it Christianity collapses. A declaration of faith which omits the incarnation, the crucifixion and the resurrection is not just missing a few incidental points it is missing the point.  Sustaining a Christian life on this basis would be like trying to cross the channel in a ship without a hull, rudder, motor or mast.  You are not just likely to sink–you are bound to.

What were the Church of England’s liturgy experts thinking when they penned this thin gruel? It manages to be both watered down yet indigestible. Try explaining ‘from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named’ to a passing visitor (or to me for that matter). I know the phrase is taken from Ephesians but that does not tell us much that is readily intelligible about God the Father.

Have we abandoned or lost confidence in the idea that God the Father is Almighty? Do we no longer believe that He is the Maker of heaven and earth? Is it a loss of confidence in these truths that makes us shrink from declaring them? Is this why we are now expected to be content to settle for an obscure jumble of platitudes which repeatedly puts the focus on ‘us’? Thanks but no thanks.  Sadly, a passing visitor may never realise that Christians believe more that remains unsaid by the new version than is referred to in it.

Great care and attention has been taken in formulating the Nicene and Apostle’s creeds. They have withstood the tests of time and informed generation after generation of worshipers. The latest version leaves a vacuum where truth once stood. We should watch out. This vacuum will be filled by ideas falling well outside the orthodox.

  1. https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/worship-texts-and-resources/common-worship/common-material/new-patterns-28 ↑

 

The Transfiguration of Jesus Christ–does it matter?

August 4, 2023 /

I don’t remember the last time “The Transfiguration” was mentioned in my local church. It is not a subject that comes up in everyday conversation and I rarely think about it.  This coming Sunday is nominated in the Church of England lectionary as a memorial for The Transfiguration and the bible readings for the day reflect. (Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14. Psalm 97. 2 Peter 1:16-19 and Luke 9:28-36)[1]. What can I learn from The Transfiguration and why is it that the subject seems to be such a low priority even among Christians?

Forgive me for stating the blindingly obvious: the Transfiguration marks Jesus out as special. It is a difficult story to understand because transfigurations just don’t happen. None of us have seen one or met anyone who has. It is beyond our experience and we are generally skeptical about miracles. The Transfiguration corroborates the biggest miracle of all: the incarnation. Peter, James and John saw Jesus’ appearance change and heard a voice saying “This is my Son, my Chosen One; Listen to him!”   The Transfiguration asks us the question– who do we think Jesus is?  Is he merely a man, or God’s son, His chosen one? It is well worth taking time to ponder this event. Do we accept that it happened or do we think it is made up. Why would anyone make up such an unlikely story? If it happened then we too need to ‘Listen to Him’.

Another obvious observation: the Transfiguration story features Moses and Elijah. The New Testament cannot be understood without reference to the Hebrew Scriptures. And yet our knowledge of Old Testament stories and characters is receding. It is worth taking time and trouble to put this right, however unfashionable this might be. Only by getting to know the old testament can one begin to see God’s purposes being worked out over the centuries and to grasp the coherent over-arching and continuing story of God’s steadfast love and faithfulness. Elijah was taken to heaven alive (2 Kings 2:11) and expected to return before the Messiah.  John the Baptist is often understood to have fulfilled this role. The Jewish people expected a prophet in the manner of Moses to arise (Deuteronomy 18:15-18). Moses and Elijah talk about ‘Jesus’ departure which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem’ (Luke 9:31). A little earlier in the same chapter of Luke, we find Jesus telling the disciples of the death he was about to suffer and that he would be raised from the dead (Luke 9:21-22).  I assume this is what Luke is referring to when he uses the word ‘accomplish’. What is accomplished is the saving of the world by way of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Putting it crudely: the Transfiguration directs us to the person of Jesus and the purpose of Jesus.

The third feature of the story is Peter’s response. Is it possible that he is bewildered and starts talking before he has had time to observe and listen? To suggest building booths might perhaps be an attempt to memorialize what was likely to be a fleeting event. Perhaps similar to building a statue to commemorate someone, something or an event? Or maybe it was equivalent to suggesting the formation of a committee –a gut response that allows us to acknowledge the need for change without actually changing? In any event, Peter’s ideas are cut short by the loud voice that talks across his talking and tells him to ‘listen up’.

We do well to be silent and listen in the presence of the Lord.

  1. Luke 9:28–36 (ESV) — 28 Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. 30 And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33 And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. 34 As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” 36 And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen. ↑

 

REFLECTIONS FROM THE COVID EMERGENCY WARD .

May 28, 2020 /

It is now six weeks since kind neighbours gave me a wonderful welcome-home from hospital with balloons flying, bunting flapping, a home-made poster  and even a Union Jack proudly hoisted.   Their kindness to me and my wife has done much to banish my memories of a week in the emergency Covid Ward and my nightmares have now stopped.  I have regained the two stone I lost and, like many others, I’m so keen to get away from the inconvenience of life under lockdown that I’m tempted to forget how bad this virus is and why life under lockdown is worth it.  So here is a blog based upon an email I sent to a friend shortly after I returned home.  It records my raw reflections on my experience which you may find shocking. 

“I have now been home for eight days and am gradually coming to terms with what I experienced in hospital, which was, frankly, traumatic. The hospital was so under-staffed as to be unsafe. Fifty percent of the staff were off sick and it was impossible to replace them all with agency staff. Those agency nurses who were hired had no one to teach them the basics and they were frequently working in areas in which they had no expertise. I spent one night on a general ward when my ability to take in oxygen, even with a mask, was dangerously low and I was moved to an emergency ward for treatment, which involved a machine which forces oxygen into the lungs through a face mask which covers the entire face.

 Not a pleasant procedure, but far worse was the experience of seeing patients die because there was no one to respond when monitoring machines were sounding alarms and knowing that if one was in trouble, it was potluck if there was anyone free to come to the rescue or whether all staff would be unable to respond because they were already dealing with others in a critical state. In short, I quickly realized that the staff were overwhelmed and the fear in their eyes and the trauma they were suffering was not their fault. It was like being in a ship which has been swamped by waves of ever-increasing magnitude whilst the crew were ever decreasing in number.

 Under those conditions I learned that Jesus is real; prayer was not difficult; worship was not difficult (I took great joy and strength from Bach’s ‘St Matthew’s Passion’ on Easter Day whilst on the machine.) After three days on the machine, my prayer had changed from, ‘Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me a sinner,’ to, ‘Lord Jesus, I know you are with me and you can see what’s going on around me and my fear. I’m buggered if I’m going to die here Lord: give me the strength I need to get out of here alive.’  Not likely to become a future congregational classic but short, heart-felt and to the point!

 There were also some God-created moments of grace I could not have manufactured. For example, on day one there was a cock up and I was abandoned in a ‘side ward’ (think cupboard, not intended to take a bed) whilst all my alarms went off and a deafening alarm which no one heard for a very long time. I was only rescued because I WhatsApped a registrar in another hospital and he realized the gravity of the situation and used official channels to speak to the registrar for health in the hospital I was in. This led to the nurse in charge coming to see me and apologising profusely for the fact I had been overlooked. She introduced me to another senior nurse, who was likewise apologetic and, though I could barely speak for lack of breath found myself forgiving and comforting them.  They were pretty upset.  Six days later, on the day before I was sent home, the second nurse mentioned sought me out in the recovery ward and asked me if would return to the hospital to encourage the nurses once I am strong enough. I am now chatting to a few contacts to see if I can line up resources that might offer a counseling / listening service for nurses so that they can know there is somewhere to turn. There were also opportunities to encourage the odd patient and nurses. [I have since discovered that the Samaritans have a hotline dedicated to NHS employees 0300 1317000]

 Coming out of the emergency ward I experienced nightmares so that sleep was difficult. I guess I probably got about one hour’s sleep in total each night I was in hospital so it is not surprising that I was mentally struggling. With each day that passes, and each night of rest I am gradually getting stronger and able to piece things together. I am no longer taking for granted things like a) quietness and peacefulness, b) the freedom to go where one wants when one wants, c) ability to wash oneself, toilet oneself and eat / drink.

 I have long wondered whether many of the evangelical churches, in a well-intentioned effort to be accessible and welcoming to visitors, have gradually become focused on what almost amounts to entertainment rather than presenting a balanced style of worship which includes lament, puzzlement, anger with God, bewilderment and suffering as part of the normal Christian life?  My experience in hospital has again made me wonder how effectively we are preparing followers of Jesus to cope with life crises?  If this pandemic forces us all to get real and look some of these issues in the face that will be all to the good. A recalibration is required. In essence, I think Jesus bluntly and repeatedly warned that He was serving the Father to his death and that his followers serving Him were on the same trajectory (eg: Take up your cross / No servant is greater than his master etc). Do we get that message accross effectively?  If not, the impression may be given that becoming a Christian entitles one to  a ‘get out of jail free’ card against hardship, disappointment and difficulty.  This superficial approach will surely need reassessment by the time COVID-19 has finished. We have seen nothing yet: I fear for those parts of countries such as India, Bangladesh and Africa where social distancing and hand washing are not options…

(A Sunday Times article, complete with pictures, gives a bird’s eye view of the hospital during the same period.)

Easter Saturday. A day to gloss over?

April 20, 2019 /

Christ’s resurrection from the dead is a sign and a wonder to dwarf all other signs and wonders. It opens the door to hope. Hope that death is not the end. Hope that darkness is not for ever. Hope that light really does triumph over darkness. Perhaps this is why we choose to focus most of our attention on Easter day’s celebration rather than the events of Good Friday. As for Easter Saturday, this is easily glossed over altogether. An inconvenient pause before a mighty celebration. I believe Easter Saturday is an important day which we neglect at our peril even though it is out of joint with the fashion of 2019.

The first Easter Saturday must have been a time of deep shock, grief, confusion and loss for the followers of Jesus. It was a time of unanswered questions. The crucifixion was not the sanitised event portrayed in polite art: it was a raw, horrific murder designed to humiliate the victim. What must the morning after the death of Jesus have been like for his family and followers? ‘Traumatic’ does not begin to describe it. A time for lament.

We in England in 2019 not do ‘lamentation’. The closest we get is a superficial feeling of gloom every time we are eliminated from football’s World Cup.

Celebration is an easy sell. Lamentation is the other end of the spectrum. Celebration is to celebrated: think New Year’s eve and firework displays from around the world. Lamentation is to be avoided. Are we are losing the vocabulary and capacity to express the range of emotions it involves? Consider Colin Brazier’s reflections written shortly after the death of his wife:

“At root, the modern funeral represents the privatisation of what, hitherto, was a public event. A funeral was one of the great punctuation marks in the life of a community. Open to all, imparting its lessons of Last Things to everyone, sharing a life story to a universal audience. But as soon as we start to treat funerals like a family ‘do’, where commemoration becomes a series of in-jokes or semi-private reflections, we close off the lives of others from that clear-eyed posthumous examination which only comes when their race is run. I am happy to leave it to the priest. It’s his gig. He will sum up my wife’s life, approaching that task not dispassionately, but at one step removed.

Then there’s the ‘celebration’ element. I have emailed friends and former colleagues with details of my wife’s funeral, politely asking them to leave their Hawaiian shirts and pink helium balloons at home. Black please, if you don’t mind. It’s unfair on children to insist that a funeral should mean rejoicing in a life now passed. Maybe grown-ups can handle the cognitive dissonance required in ‘celebrating’ a life rather than, you know, being all morbid. But I seriously doubt children can.” (Spectator 21 July 2018)

Colin views were reported in the English media and the reaction from the public suggests that he was onto something. He spoke about it very honestly and movingly on the radio.

When I was first forced to go to church as a schoolboy the part of the service I dreaded most was the weekly singing (perhaps not the right word) of a psalm. Boring does not begin to describe the experience. The language was archaic, the melody non-existent and the experience baffling. Fifty years later I increasingly appreciate and value the psalms and start to see why they formed the heart of both Jewish and Christian worship. They give us a window into the emotions of their authors and show us how they engaged with God. Some of them are celebrations (e.g. Ps 100). But a surprising number are lamentations: see for example Psalm 6. Here is Prof Ellen F Davis’s excellent short comments on this Psalm which say what I would like to say but much more elegantly than I could.

(This is taken from “Getting involved with God”).

From time to time each of us experience disappointment, grief, abandonment and despair– probably not to the extent that Jesus’ followers did on Easter Saturday but none the less in a real way.   As Ellen Davis shows, the Bible does not air brush these difficulties from its pages and nor should we. 

Thank God for Easter Sunday but in our thanking let’s not forget the reality of the day before and make time and space to acknowledge times when Easter Saturdays seem more real than the joy of Easter Sunday.

 

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