Bible Study Comment

I refer to the correspondence between the Rev David Torrance and the Rev Scott McKenna in the October edition.

It is worth pointing out that the miracles recounted in the Gospels are not the pious creation of his disciples: they were the accusations brought against him by his enemies who charged him with performing them by the power of Beelzebub.

Peter Kimber, Dirleton, East Lothian

In the Rev Scott McKenna’s bible study on page 46 of the September issue, it is commendable that he honours Judaism and Islam, as, in the past, Christians have tended to regard other religions as totally false (although if we read our bibles carefully, we see that Paul showed respect for the Athenians’ religiosity even though they worshipped images of many different gods).

It is noteworthy that in the chapter (Acts 10) that the Rev Scott McKenna is explaining to us, Cornelius the centurion appears to be a “God-fearer” ie someone who is trying to follow the Jewish religion and God was pleased with him. So God sent Peter to his home to tell him that Jesus died and rose again, and is ‘appointed as judge of the living and the dead’ and ‘everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name’. Cornelius’ household then believed and were filled with the Holy Spirit.

Cartoon: Bill McArthur

It is clear from this passage (and from the experience of millions of Christians throughout the world) that sincere followers of religion, whether it is Islam, Judaism, or Christianity, need to come to Jesus to be reconciled to God and receive the Holy Spirit.

As for the quote from John’s letter in the Rev Scott’s last paragraph, rather than entering the realm of Hindu pantheism, we are ‘born of God’ so that the Holy Spirit can begin to remake lives destroyed by sin, developing the fruits of the Spirit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. This is what the world needs.

Robert Trelogan, Glasgow

This article appears in the November 2018 Issue of Life and Work

Click here to view the article in the magazine.

To view other articles in this issue Click here.

If you would like to view other issues of Life and Work, you can see the full archive here.