TRUTH

Firstly I must commend Steve for tackling this in his next book, and all the study and hard work that is inevitably involved. May it, and all that we do, somehow be fruitful in bringing Glory to God !

I watched the Nicky Campbell TV shows on Sunday mornings a couple of times over the past months - but since it so often has something to say about the Christian faith which is way off beam, and Nicky Campbell’s own understanding does not seem to be very profound, have not continued to do so. I believe I saw the particular broadcast that Steve refers to in his discussion, and recall feeling some empathy with the Minister concerned. As I recall (if it was the same episode, that is) the protagonist for the faith was a very well meaning lady, who unfortunately got a little emotional and did not come across very well as a ‘sales woman’ for Christ as a result. Quite the opposite, unfortunately - which is probably what prompted the Archbishop to make his comment about feeling he had more in common with the scientist - I felt the same ! How deceptive and clever the evil one is, for the scientist was cool, calm and collected in his opinions - no emotionalism there - and appeared quite sensible and feeling towards his fellows, not in the least bigoted or judgemental or smug. When emotionalism is allowed to creep in, we have lost the argument, which is one very strong reason for Leadership being male. However, I strongly believe that when TV gives us something like this, it is up to us, as followers of Jesus Christ, to take it up privately and directly with the person who has given offence, after all the Bible tells us to rebuke one another in His love, be he Archbishop or whatever. That said, better by far, in my view, to see TV for what it really is and not look to it for our Christian guidelines - but to the Word of God and the Holy Spirit. - Who knows, one day Almighty God may use TV for His own purpose, overriding all earthly signals and showing us just how little we really know for all our technical expertise, all of which comes from Him. We have created nothing. In Him all things are possible.

In defence of the C of E, I must say that down the centuries it has tried to be a broad church, and non-exclusive. It also has within it some very enlightened Ministers who have the courage of their own personal convictions and the freedom to exercise them. It’s drawback, in my view, is its tie to the State, and the fact that Parliament seems to rule the Queen to a larger degree than ever before. For instance, it was Parliament’s invitation to the Pope to visit this country , not Her Majesty’s, who does as she is told in this regard. Within Parliament there are undoubtedly those who seek to work within the Christian faith - but like the rest of us, each has a weakness and so shall it be until Perfection comes.

On the subject of entertainment, I switched on (briefly) to watch the hunt for ‘Dorothy’ for the new musical version of “The Wizard of Oz” . What a carcophony - after a few minutes of the screams, the hysteria and the mad dashing about, I switched it off. TV finds a good formula and over uses it, and I believe it is doing so here. The hunting for a‘Joseph’ and a ’Maria’ were great - interesting, entertaining and quite exciting. Having picked the winner for ‘Joseph’ in my own mind early on in the show, I was thrilled to bits and rejoiced for him when he was the finalist. I saw a production of ‘Joseph’s Technicolour Dreamcoat’ at the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton many years ago. It was quite brilliant ! Every single member of the cast and support played their part to the hilt, from the tiniest bit player to the star. A friend and I stood outside the theatre after the show and just looked at each other, dumbfounded - all we could say was ‘Wow - follow that!’.

After World War 2, amateur entertainment was at its best - both in theatre and in sport - and of a very high standard. Everything is ‘professional’ now - and we are, I believe, in danger of losing sight of reality. Theatre has its place - but it should not rule our lives - and the stage must never be allowed to replace reality for the young or they will wind up empty and lost . and good parents must do their best to keep feet on ground, rather than over-emphasising stardom. Believe me, I speak from experience, as a one -time amateur in a superb group, there was a time when the theatre for me was more real than life itself, which I came to realise I was running away from. We cannot do that - we have to face it, and ourselves and be born again to find true reality.

Steve in his discussion of his future book on ‘How the Church has lost the Truth‘, has so rightly drawn attention to all the evils that now pervade and are being pushed to the fore in our society, which are as prophesied in the Holy Bible - Let us take heart that there are good men and true, and dare I suggest that Steve is so obviously among them - all from different backgrounds, different experiences, different cultures whose hearts yearn for better and seek to play a part in turning things round, at the same time acknowledging that on their own they are nothing and can achieve nothing. One thing very, very apparent in his talk - the absence of any reference to the ‘helper’ - in the form of woman. It is all men’s voices he has quoted down the ages.. For the most part they have not yet understood woman, seeing her either as the prostitute to be used for their own gratification , or the perfect and dumb wife whose place is in the kitchen, while in the modern world all is geared in Western society to encourage her to behave just like men! And what a travesty that is bringing! Neither is, I believe as Almighty God intended. Food for thought for our ‘educationalists,’ I believe.

So - what of Truth ? Let us press on together, encouraging, yet remembering the words from 1 John 1:8 which surely in recognising our own human weaknesses, hold until the end : ‘If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and truth is not in us‘.

SHALOM

Mustard seed