The Parish Magazine June 2022

the parish noticeboard — 2
Christian Basics — Part 5
Rev Paul Hardingham's series on the foundations of the Christian faith
Worship
freedom
is still
worth
fighting
for . . .
The Parish Magazine - June 2022 9
Claude's
view
from
the
pew
Andrey Popov, dreamstime.com
Understanding the Bible
‘THE MOST PRECIOUS THING THIS WORLD AFFORDS’
The Holy Bible is a popular book — with about 100
million copies printed worldwide every year — as well
as being a uniquely precious book. At her coronation the
Queen was given a Bible, ‘the most precious thing this
world affords’.
The Bible isn’t simply one book, but a library of 66 books,
composed by some 44 writers over a period of 1,500 years
in a range of styles including history, poetry, prophecy,
letters and apocalyptic — looking at the end times.
Despite having a number of different writers, the Bible
claims one author — God himself!
INSPIRED WORD
As the Word of God, it is the primary way by which God
speaks to us. ‘All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for
teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every
good work’ (2 Timothy 3:16).
The Bible is inspired, ‘the word of God in the words of
men’ and is a manual for life, equipping us to live for God
in every aspect of our lives.
We also have the promise of the Holy Spirit, who helps
us to apply its words to our lives: ‘But when he, the Spirit of
truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth’ (John 16:13).
The Bible can also be described as a love letter from
God, as it deepens our relationship with him. Jesus said:
‘You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by
them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that
testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life’
(John 5:39,40).
Christians follow a person not a book, and the
Scriptures are intended to help us to know Jesus better.
Like a signpost, the Bible points us to the person of Jesus.
By Claude Masters
I expect most people, like me, can remember things that
happened in their early years better than the things that
happened yesterday! Being born in 1934, one of my earliest
memories is the Battle of Britain (July 1940 – October 1941).
I remember cheering when I heard on the wireless how many
more of the enemy aircraft had been shot down compared
with those the RAF had lost. The Nazis, led by Adolf Hitler,
thought that all they had to do to bring Britain to our knees
was to crush the RAF. However, this was not to be the case
because Winston Churchill and his advisers had foreseen the
likelihood of war and our country had been well prepared.
STRONGER POSITION
During the Battle of Britain, the RAF Fighter Command
had more Spitfire and Hurricane aircraft than the Luftwaffe
Messerschmitt and Stukas, although that was not what most
people thought at the time. The RAF believed that the enemy
had more planes than them, while the Luftwaffe thought
they had the strongest force.
The RAF, however, was in a stronger position and the
Nazis attempt to destroy them by bombing our airfields was
unsuccessful because Hitler made the mistake of changing
tack. He started bombing the East End of London instead.
Here again the RAF fighters were successful in breaking
up the German bomber squadrons and in fending off the
Nazi fighters trying to defend them. When Hitler asked his
commanders why they were losing so many aircraft he was
told it was because of the Spitfires.
THEN AND NOW
So, the enemy started night-time air raids and the Blitz
of London ensued. It must have been awful for Eastenders
to emerge from their overnight shelters to find their homes
destroyed. Sadly, history is repeating itself in Ukraine. Let
us pray that the war will soon end peacefully, and innocent
Christians will not only be reunited with their families once
more, but that their churches will be in a condition that
enables them to worship together with the same freedom
that we enjoy today. It was a freedom worth fighting for when
I was 6 years old, and it is still worth fighting for now that I
am 86!