I found it difficult to understand the point of the letter from the Rev Forrester on the above in the November issue of Life and Work. It seemed to obfuscate rather than illuminate.

He doubts words attributed to Jesus because 60 years may have passed before they were written down but if statements are memorable they are easily remembered verbatim; I can certainly recall such from 60 years ago.

He also says: “John’s Gospel states quite clearly that Jesus is God’s ‘chosen servant’ for all humanity….”. Although the synoptics all state the servanthood of Jesus (eg Math 12:18-21, quoting Isaiah 42:1-4), John seems more concerned with emphasising that Jesus is none other than the Son of God, the Word, the creator of all things (1:1-14, 3:16, etc).

Similarly the Rev Forrester says we are all God’s children by creation and grace, which may be true in a general sense but again John is equally clear that the children of God are those who believe/receive/accept Jesus (1:12, 3:16).

Paul later explains how this can be so, through the death and resurrection of Jesus.

J Spence, Airdrie

A well-known newspaper columnist and morning TV host was recently lamenting the fact that while he would long to re-establish his lost Christian faith, many prominent Christians were casting doubt on core Christian doctrines. My former minister in Glasgow, George Philip, always said: “Never take your doubts to the pulpit with you.”

It is therefore rather surprising that a correspondent should choose the letters page of Life and Work to express the doubt that Jesus ever said: “I am the way, the truth and the life.” This is pure conjecture and not a helpful thing for a minister to say, particularly when sensitive and vulnerable souls seeking for the truth, certainty and indeed salvation, that the Christian gospel offers may be put off by such comments.

Our faith is based upon the clear teaching of the Scriptures, old and new testament. The writer of John’s gospel was far closer to the life and times of our Lord Jesus than a Kirkcaldy minister in the year 2022.

Alex Glen, Glasgow

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