BFn Notes

After 800 years the Church of England wishes to repent and apologise for the anti-Jewish outcome of a Catholic Synod in Oxford in 1222. The concept of repentance and apology is to turn around, but in the Bible it is only of use if it results in a new path that leads to salvation. We cannot repent for others, our ancestry or our history. And in any case what is done is done, and it cannot be undone.

Islam forbids the representation of the human or animal image at all, and idea taken from the dot point of Judaism. The God of the Bible hates Idolatry in all forms. All who conclude that God wiped out the Ohio Floyd Memorial with lightning may well be right.

There are many things we can't know, but I would be very wary of saying anything was or wasn't an act of God. I will explain why.

There are rainbows literally everywhere showing we are in the days of Noah. Now a man has been swallowed by a whale and been spat out, and has survived it! We are in the days of Jonah – the days of the resurrection.

The exposing of virus lies has opened up the question of the consequences of broken trust. In all relationships it turns out trust is the most critical factor. One lie may be a mistake, but a pattern of lies leads to utter breakdown, even if people may happen to like the liar. Going forward together in unity relies on one trusting the other.

There is in fact an answer to the great question of the universe - and it's not 42. The Bible has many questions and many answers. However for the great question of the meaning of everything and the purpose of life, the Bible first exposes the deniers of God's existence and juxtaposes the answer.

Europe is once again saying to America with outrage, how dare you spy on us! For five generations those of my family have passed down from one generation to the next the understanding based on Bible prophecy that Europe would unite with Russia and be alienated from the Anglosphere, after Israel revived as a nation.

Faith is not some feel good thing, as the writer to the Hebrews shows it is based on the evidence of observation of all true things. Therefore observational empirical science of the movement of the things in the heavens (as opposed to theory) can be faith building.

There are difficulties that many faithful students of the Bible face today, especially in countries such as the USA where there are powerful movements trying to deny and abolish belief in the Deity and to establish unacceptable practices. Perhaps this can be said of many cities that still retain Christian communities, some of which can be numbered in the thousands and even the millions. Does the Bible give these people the hope of their prayers being heard? The Psalms and other prophecies, such as Isaiah, can give assurance and comfort to those who have confidence in the God of Israel.

Shavuot the Jewish feast of seven weeks in Greek is known as Pentecost as it is a count of 50 days after Pesach (Passover). Pentecost may speak of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to a Christian, but do we understand that the gift was given to reward thankfulness? The half-glass of life was over-flowing for the Apostles!