Spiritual healing

The Big Question was most valuable in the March 2019 Life and Work. All the contributors spoke, in a manner rarely encountered, of profound personal experiences involving God and Christ. Although never having experienced anything like their spiritual realm and intensity, I felt what they said touched me in a way other writing has not. Thank you all so much for this.

I have tried to analyse why their voices were so potent. It was because they were describing the presence of God and Christ as living and acting in their person, a being who can be known intimately rather than as a mere statement of a truth.

Shirley Billes could describe her ‘angels’ and such angels were mentioned often by name by other contributors. Shirley talked about the Christ within her as the source of her healing love. I believe that God and Christ is always present with us, within and without, as we encounter all aspects of the universe, personal and material and as we participate in this creation, His love and healing fills our vision and actions. Martin Buber said that: “the existence of the mutuality of God and man cannot be proved but blessed are they that declare it”. In the Big Question this month (March 2019) this mutuality has been declared in a most powerful way. Thank you again to all contributors.

John Kusel, Cumbernauld

Narcissism

I entirely agree with the Rev Ron Ferguson’s pinpointing of pervasive narcissism in our society as the cause of many of its ills (February). There is too much emphasis on self in our approach to life, nowadays and for some years past.

Ron Inglis, Invergowrie, Dundee

Technology& Worship

Recent comments on the use of modern technological aids in church make interesting reading. Visual aspects include the projection of hymns, readings etc on to strategically placed screens. This intrigued me and when a request appeared one Sunday morning for members of the congregation to train as operators, I volunteered. It proved a most interesting experiment so far as I was concerned. The projector is operated from the balcony of our church. When I reported for duty, I found the balcony to be a busy place. There was the organist, the praise band, the choir and a sound projectionist. The sound projectionist regulates the volume picked up by various microphones (static, personal etc). All of the devices combine to add quality to worship.

Changed days, I thought, from when I first became a Reader, many years ago. At that time, very few churches had sound systems, let alone anything else. As part of my training I had to learn to project my voice. Here again, the balcony had a part to play. ‘Aim your voice at the balcony and let it resonate’ was the advice given to me by my first mentor.

Mr W Findlay, Bishopbriggs

Christians and Comics

For 2000 years the gospel stories about Jesus have withstood attempts to disprove or ridicule them. So perhaps Christians should not get too upset about a proposal DC Comics have made to publish a satirical series about Jesus’ return to earth.

In this we are told God is depicted as upset with Jesus for getting himself crucified so soon after starting his work. A good response to this can be found in the famous words of Dietrich Bonhoeff er who, in a letter written in 1940, said:’ The resurrection of Christ confirms that God said yes (sic) to his Son and his Son’s work.’

One might also cite an even more authoritative source, namely St Paul , who in 2 Corinthians 1.20 wrote concerning Jesus ‘…all the promises of God have their Yes in him.’

In Lent most Christians will look to the likes of Bonhoeff er and Paul rather than secular off erings for help in understanding the life of their Saviour.

Andrew McLuskey (Rev), Staines-on-Thames, England