Now I’m not sure that’s a wrong approach. The New Testament often uses pictures from the Old Testament to point to Jesus… and Jesus is indeed in ALL the Scriptures (Luke 24:27). Take Deuteronomy for example… Jesus is…

• A better Moses
• Like Joshua… leading the people into the land
• The True Passover and Jubilee
• Faithful in the wilderness
• The fulfilment of the Law

These things are undoubtedly true and are all captured by the gospel writers. But I wonder if Deuteronomy is less trying to give little hints at Christ… like Wallys dotted throughout… and more trying to present a framework for Christ.

Deuteronomy is full of Covenantal language… blessings and curses… while life and blessings are offered to the people (30), the truth is that God’s people won’t keep the law, they can’t keep the law, and they don’t want to keep it either (31)!

So it’s not just little pictures of Jesus… but a whole stage set… a dilemma posed… who will step forward? Who can obey this law? How can we ever hope to receive God’s blessing? Jesus is not just in the details, the fulfilment of types portrayed… he is the answer to the question, the completion of the promise, and the hope of God’s people.

I love looking for Jesus in the details, but I must remember that he’s the big picture too!

2:35 – slouched on chair, with cup of tea, riveted by afternoon conversation.

But seriously, if you’re considering Christian ministry, or just want to get some training to help you understand and teach the Bible more effectively then you should check out Cornhill.

In a challenge initially reminiscent of a Blue Peter craft (cutting and sticking involved), I’ve converted a simple Moleskine notebook (just the really small ones – 3 for about a fiver I think) into a “Memory Moleskine”.

Here’s the idea… between now and Easter (16 weeks), myself, and lots of other people all around the world are going to try and memorise the book of Philippians together. Sounds like a tall order, but is only a few verses each week.

All you need to join in is a Cahier Moleskine (or similar sized notepad), some scissors and glue, and to download and print off the learning plan from the Resurgence website.

Don’t forget to leave a blank page next to each week to write down some reflections…

I’ve just read through two of these ‘Little Black Books‘, one on the Bible and one on Suffering and Evil. They’re written by Scott Petty (from Oz), there’s currently others on Sex and on Predestination. They’re published by Mathias Media, sold by Good Book Company, and cost just £3 each – bargain!

I like these, they’re short enough to read quickly, but cover big topics well. They’re aimed at 14-20+ years… personally I think 11+ could handle these and they could rightly be used by adults as well (although some may find a bit patronising). Arguments are backed up from the Bible, with texts printed, and big words and big concepts are explained simply and clearly.

There are times when you think it’s been a bit over simplified (it’s only 50 pages) but further reading can be found in the endnotes with specific recommendations. These books fill a gap in resources for youth workers and families.

Worth getting… you can get the set of 4 for £10.

We’ve started up a new meeting… meeting at Costa Coffee in George Street, right in the heart of Hove… each Tuesday evening, from 7.30pm, we’re taking over Costa Coffee.

So if you’re down in Hove, come along, grab a coffee, meet some new people… we’re also going to be opening up the Bible together, looking at the “Vintage Jesus” as we journey through the Gospel of Luke.

We met for the first time last week and thought about how Costa Tuesdays, and even more so, Luke’s Gospel is great for everyone, whether you’re a Christian or a sceptic, there’s something here for you…

Check out the website link for more info or just come and pop in on a Tuesday night…

This is a new series of Bible study notes for parents to do with their children. Each session consists of an ‘appetiser’ introduction with ideas for chats and games, a main course with prayers, Bible story, and sticker time, and a snack time, a little nugget to keep kids thinking.

There’s a page at the back where you can photocopy and cut out the little snack nuggets and take them out with you during the day… I’m 24, and I think this sounds fun… in fact I might just have to start making babies (after getting married) so I can do it with my kids!!

The notes are written by Alison Mitchell and Jo Boddam Whetham, and produced by The Good Book Company. They’re just £5, which is a bargain with the stickers and fun stuff to do. You can get your hands on one of these from the 1st February… do it!

Read online sample (pdf)

Biblical Cross References

HT: Mark Meynell

But the question is… When was the Bible corrupted?

Was it corrupted before Muhammed?

Well this seems unlikely given what the Qu’ran says about the Bible… Sura 4:136 says that Muslims are to believe in God, in the Qu’ran and in the Bible (“the scripture He has revealed before”). Why would the Qu’ran call Muslims to believe a corrupt document?

Or, was it corrupted after Muhammed?

It seems, given the Qu’ran’s endorsement of the Bible that it must have been corrupted after Muhammed’s revelation. Muhammed died in AD 632. But we have lots of manuscripts before that date… check out the Codex Sinaiticus a complete manuscript of the Bible, dated to the fourth century.

So… if the Bible was corrupted, when was it corrupted?