Dear Friends,

Bibles and Cockies

There has been a change to this Sunday’s events!
We have had to postpone Rev Dr John Harris’s talk on Historic Bibles and their legacy to Sunday, 17th November, at 3:30pm, in the Lounge. So rather than lunch, we will now be having afternoon tea before the talk begins. (If you can bring something for afternoon tea on that Sunday afternoon that would be very much appreciated!)
So, there is no lunch and no talk this Sunday, but on Sunday, 17th November, Rev Dr John Harris will showcase several historic Bibles, dating centuries old and unpack how these Bibles impact us today. The event is free, but donations to the Bible Society are welcome – on the day or at www.biblesociety.org.au/word

This event has got me thinking about the Bibles I have had over the years (pictured here left). None of them are very old or very valuable, but they represent significant periods in my own life and faith development.

The first is my Children’s Living Bible (I know other members of the congregation had this Tyndale House Publishers early 1970s edition as well!) which was given to me by my parents when I went away to boarding school in Year 3. I remember carrying it with me on the bus to church and Sunday School and reading it in my bed at night – as I started to recognise that I needed my own relationship with God and that reading God’s word was one way to establish that relationship.

It wasn’t long, however, before a children’s Bible seemed a little babyish, so on my 10th birthday, my parents gave me a Good News Bible, which I read avidly for the next six years. (It is either a sign of cheap manufacturing or regular use, but the pages have now come entirely away from the spine.) A key part of the appeal of this Bible are the illustrations by Anne Marie Vallotton, a Swiss and French artist. (According to Harpercollins, Vallotton is the bestselling artist of all time, thanks to worldwide sales of the Good News Bible in excess of 225 million.) They are simple, but powerful illustrations. Apparently Vallotton drew some of them up to 90 times to get them right. In her words, “I wanted to simplify them the most I could. I wanted to get to the truth… the most important thing!”

At my high school graduation, I received the large NIV Study Bible in the centre of my Bible bookshelf. I think of this Bible as belonging to a time when I could have been described as a Bible Basher. The Bible certainly looked the part! But although a lot of the footnotes in this Bible lean towards conservative biblical interpretations, this was an important period for me, as I wrestled with my conservative evangelical faith and found myself still holding onto a relationship with God which embraced justice and mercy as integral to the life-giving good news of the gospel.

When I left theological college I was keen to get an NRSV Bible which is considered one of the most accurate English-language translations. The shorter one I have had for the last 20 years, but just before he died, my father gave me the last one on my shelf, a large print NRSV version (as I was confessing to difficulties reading in the pulpit without putting on my glasses!) I will treasure this Bible as his gift to me encouraging ongoing reading and refreshment from God’s word – and a lifelong relationship with God.

Some of you will know an old Sunday School song… The best book to read is the Bible. The best book to read is the Bible. If you read it every day. It will help you on your way. O, the best book to read is the Bible!

It has not always been the same Bible, but throughout my life I have found that song to be true! The Bible has very much helped me on my way, and I know that I am not alone in that! I hope many of you will be able to put the 17th November session with Rev Dr John Harris in your diaries!

Grace and peace,

Belinda

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