Sunday, March 11th @ 10:00am at Christ Church - How little we know

Michael Cohen came to speak to us today. He's a Jew, and a Christian, his book is here. He had some very interesting things to say about Jewish festivals, and understanding Jesus as a Jew. We know Jesus was a Jew of course, but we don't know that much about Jewish society in the first century, or in any century for that matter! I have wanted to visit Israel for a while now, but there was a time when I thought that was not a good thing for a Christian to do. At todays service we also learned that a former vicar, has a trip being organized for September. I wonder? - does it clash with the reader retreat, and can I get the time off work, and can I persuade Jo that its the right thing to do. Too many unknowns here - I need to pray about it first anyway.

Anyway, I have purchased Michael's book, so there will be a review of it at some stage, but I'm very busy with the reader training at the moment, and I should get on with that instead of blogging.

Maybe I shouldn't

Matthew 24:23-26
At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'There he is!' do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect- if that were possible. See, I have told you ahead of time. So if anyone tells you, 'There he is, out in the desert,' do not go out; or, 'Here he is, in the inner rooms,' do not believe it.

So I followed up John's quote, as you can see from above, then I read today on his blog, that there is a TV programme on the subject. It won't be long before its shown here, a week or two, a month maybe. I've read the verse from Matthew again. Maybe I shouldn't even watch it. BUT I'm curious - to hear all the argument and controversy. I even followed the link. I even watched one of the video clips. I even started talking to the PC screen. Well talking might be an understatement.

Is this covered by 1 Tim 1:3-4 I wonder?

Can I really determine not to watch? - Should I?

Jesus' tomb found?

A tomb has been uncovered that bears the inscription "Jesus son of Joseph", there are other names on it too. The greek name for Magdalene is also there. So is the name of a son - Judah.

We should remember that there have been many claims about Jesus' final destination - here another: Jesus' tomb in India. Is it possible that one day we will find the tomb of Jesus? Well I'd have to admit that its possible to construct a story where that would be the case. This is being presented as 'more explosive' than the Da Vinci code. Get the picture? The Da Vinci code is fiction, as I've said before. The author has said so to. This is being presented as archeaology, but there is already a dispute.

So as in all things we believe (accept as factual, without any concrete indisputable evidence), it is down to what you put your faith in. I'll stick with the Bible - Luke 24:51 "While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven." will do quite nicely thank you.

btw: the Bible is a remarkable book, check out the discussions about its origin and authenticity, you may find the evidence is pretty hard to dispute.