2024 Autumn

All too often those of us who follow the Lectionary find ourselves either struck by or searching for parallels between Old and New Testament readings as we prepare our sermons. And if we are preaching at more than one church on a Sunday, especially when there is a choice between Track 1 and Track 2, the safest option is often to stick with the gospel reading alone. Why do we bother with the Old Testament anyway?

Well, the first and most important reason surely is that this was the Bible Jesus knew. He read it, he referred to it constantly in his teaching, he prayed it and he lived it. And above all of course he fulfilled the promises embedded in it.

The Old Testament, therefore, gives us a real route into understanding who Jesus was, how radical his ministry was, and what an astonishing hope he brings us all.

I am thrilled to have so many wonderful contributors to this issue. David Allen and Philip Seddon explore the theme in different but equally enlightening ways. Susan Cuthbert’s article demonstrates how the first book of the Bible can speak powerfully to people today, and Sue Gillingham invites us to pray the psalms in a particularly Christian way. Steve Moyise demonstrates how Matthew’s use of the Hebrew Scriptures emphasises who Jesus really is, and Stephanie Hayton explores the role of the High Priest – in the Pentateuch and in Hebrews. Finally, Richard Spencer invites us to engage imaginatively with Ezekiel’s prophecy of the valley of dry bones and to use that process to pray for the intervention of the Holy Spirit in seemingly hopeless situations.

We have a wide selection of feature articles too, on topics as varied as music in worship (Hugh Morris), links with churches overseas (Roger Vickerman and Peter Clough), doctrine (David Kibble, Paul Cobb), church and culture (Richard Appleton, Angela Scott) and creation care (Hannah Eves). I hope there will be something here for everyone to engage with.

The Book feature highlights one of the most moving novels I have read in a long time, and certainly the most prayerful. I, Julian by Claire Gilbert is so much more than a ‘fictional autobiography’ of a medieval woman.

The theme for the next issue will be vocation; for the first issue of 2025 it will be making Christ known in a secular world. If you are pioneering any initiatives on the latter topic, or if you have a great idea, please do get in touch – I will need copy by early October.
In the meantime, I wish you all a joyful Summer.

Richenda