By Dwight Swanson

Church of the Shepherds, Bethlehem

It is Boxing Day in Manchester. The origins of this name go back to medieval times, when the lords of the manors would distribute boxes of provisions to their serfs. It evolved through the centuries, becoming for the Church a time of giving food to those in poverty. Now it is the day the after-Christmas sales begin. On the positive side, it adds another day to the celebration period, to wind down, relax while eating the left-overs. And, possible, to reflect. Which is what I am doing now.

I have been reading through the newspaper articles on Christianity and Christmas, published on the 23rd and 24th. For the most part, they are as predictable as what carols would be sung at the Service of Lessons and Carols. The British press span of perspectives fall neatly into line with the political leanings of the publishers. This is neither to criticize nor complain. At least the commentators take into consideration that this is one of Christianity’s chief festivals. The American press, on the other hand, offers little or nothing to make mention of. There are the stories (as in Britain) about political correctness gone wild, and about who is to blame for the commercialism of the season. But the leading comments offer the bland sort of holiday warm-fuzzies we are used to from the films that crowd the airwaves this time of year—good will, family, etc. Very little Christ is found.

The British approach may be (and is) irritating and frustrating, but at least there is a high level of conversation. For frustrating, read the Guardian's spin on the latest poll on religion in Britain

For irritating, the Daily Mail's ability to report a positive Christian message in a manner to provoke bigotry.

On a different note entirely, The Times publishes and approves of the text of the Archbiship of Canterbury’s Christmas message delivered in Bethlehem.

And, the surprise of the season for the Gazelle was the true blue, Tories at play Daily Telegraph inclusion of this article by John Humphrys, the BBC Today Show presenter, reflecting on his interviews of the leaders of the three great religions, aired in recent months, titled ‘What I found out about God’. (more)

By Dwight Swanson

It is the time of year when we hear people talking about how far behind they are in preparations for the season; how tired they are of the hassle of shopping. In Britain the papers carry stories of official foolishness in high places, banning decorations in the office place, calling the season ‘Winterval’, or some such. The company puts on a big office ‘do’ with wine flowing freely, while sending out leaflets on how not to act at the staff party.

Yes, it is Christmas time in the affluent, secular West.

‘Tis the Season to complain about the loss of the meaning of Christmas. (See the Manchester Evening News )

The problem with complaining is that it is just as predictable as all the rest. Nothing changes. I have heard the refrain all my life (which is no longer short, but not yet long); I have watched ‘Miracle on 34th Street’, so know that it was already a problem in the 1930s. Oliver Cromwell must have considered it a problem in the 17th Century, since he banned Christmas in the Commonwealth as a pagan festival. I dare say someone can point out an earlier example of the genre.

The question in my mind is, why do Christians always complain about what has happened to Christmas, but never do anything about it? (more)

By Dwight Swanson

News that a computer game based on the fiction novel series, Left Behind, is to be launched in the UK quietly entered some of the headlines this week. The Gazelle noted the news, but thought little of it until BBC Radio 4 phoned asking the Editor’s expert opinion. Since the fact the Editor has never read the novels, is not a ‘gamer’, and has had no opportunity to try out the game, didn’t seem to bother the BBC, the Editor was quite willing to offer an opinion. Readers may hear the result by following this link. (on Sunday the whole programme can be heard; from Monday morning GMT a specific link to the story is posted)

Lack of first-hand information hasn’t bothered other people, either. In a Times article (more)

By Dwight Swanson

Where did this happen?

Some blame this sort of scene on religion. But, can one tell the difference between a religious car bomb and any other kind?

Whatever the ostensible justification by those who create such violence, it is wrong. In Christian terms, it is evil. Can anyone doubt the existence of sin?

By Dwight Swanson

PART ONE

The week between Christmas and New Year is a time for tidying up loose ends. One of these on the Daily Gazelle is discussion of the Left Behind computer game. The Bible Basher has begun to lay a basis for talking about specific biblical texts by describing some principles of interpretation. But, the questions raised by the Left Behind article need to be tidied; so, since we are still in the season of apocalyptic anticipation, we will use the comments from ‘The Trotter’ as the basis for illustrating some principles of interpretation (in biblical-studies-speak, ‘hermeneutical principles’). The Trotter represents, by his own admission, ‘the Rapture Camp’. This is one way of describing the interpretation of so-called prophecies concerning the end-times from the point of view of ‘Dispensationalism’. [For a definition obviously given by a dispensationalist, see Wikipedia ] (more)

By Dwight Swanson

'Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be...? '[2 Peter 3:11]

Another Advent reminder...

By Dwight Swanson

Christmas Angels

An English Stable

The wonder of the season is still the mystery that God so loved the world that he sent his son.

By Dwight Swanson

The Bible Basher means to examine the way people interpret the Bible. But, before that can begin, the BB has to spell out how he goes about the task of biblical interpretation as a Christian.

To begin with, then, we have to think about what it means that the Bible is a collection of texts—of words that have been written down. It should be blindingly obvious that this is true, but this is often forgotten when ideas of the inspiration and authority of the words take centre stage.

Part 1

The idea of ‘revelation’

Christianity shares with Judaism, as does Islam, the view of the ‘revelation’ of God to human beings coming via written words. How each of these religions understands the nature of the sacred texts is quite different. (more)