The Old Testament Genesis- Jeremiah (well not quite everything in between)

Before the first session we were asked to think about the following question:

'how would you answer Dawkins or anyone else who said that the God of the OT was a vengeful, violent, and wrathful deity?'  Truth be told, I don't know.  The Old Testament is always something that I've struggled with.  The Old Testament God doesn't seem to marry well with The God of the New Testament, I've often thanked God that I was born in the time AD and don't need to follow all those rules, regulations and endure all the wars etc.  

Our first session focused on Genesis, the book that covers the great flood which ended most of the people on Earth- give or take a Noah or two.  From this we are supposed to identify a God of Grace, and a God of Blessing? 

I find this a little hard to swallow, however, I've always found great comfort in the seemingly simple sign of a rainbow.  A while ago I was studying for an MA and I really struggled to fit in, one morning I was heading to my course after a pretty bad nights sleep and was not in a good place.  When trying to leave the house my front door stuck (it would do this every now and again) and I began to get upset.  Eventually I left the house and getting into my car I noticed the most beautiful rainbow and I just knew that everything was going to be ok.  I guess that maybe the God of the OT is offering some of that 'tough love' that people so often talk about. 

Anyhoo- to sum up, maybe we need to focus on the positive results of negative times, not to be too clichéd, maybe we really do need to focus on the silver linings?

Baptism and Ministry

 

 

Our second session on baptism offered a slightly different focus- Stephen Cherry (the leg-end that he is) reflected on our responsibilities as baptised people, what happens after the baptism.  Reflecting back on my last post- this could have some impact on infant baptism and the importance (or not) of it.  Stephen suggests that out baptism doesn't just end at the giving of the candle, but really starts.  We can view our baptism as a sending out, or commissioning if you will, a commission from God to serve him and help to build up his kingdom. 

 

As baptised people what are our moral obligations? 

The symbolism of Baptism

 

I was baptised as a baby and I think probably found it easier to come back to church because I already had that sense of belonging.  When I was 20, I became a Christian whilst studying at university and returned to church and was confirmed, and the rest as they say is history!  I do wonder if that journey would have been so easy, or even happened at all if I hadn't been baptised as a child. 

 

However, thinking of the importance of baptism and the promises made during the baptism service I do wonder whether or not we ('we' being the church) should encourage infant baptism or not.  In some ways I wonder if it's a modern day circumcision, a right of passage so to speak.  I can kid of see two schools of thought; 'Operato, operata'- when it's done, it's done.  Regardless of the legitimacy of the promises made by parents/godparents, once baptised any child will always be a member of Gods family and confirmation can offer them a chance to confirm the promises made on their behalf.  The second school of thought, I guess would be to wait until the individual can decide for themselves and I guess be baptised as an adult- just as Jesus was. 

 

I'm not really sure which way I'm swaying towards, however, one this is for sure- we, as a church and as individuals need to make the most of the opportunities we have to reach out to baptism families and candidates to encourage them to feel a part of the church family and to want to learn more about God's kingdom.