My friend the Rev James Fields just emailed me his thoughts. He has a parish in London. Oh that there were more Christian ministers like him! His reflections, in part, concern my earlier article ‘Join us for our Solemn Liturgy at 3pm and celebrate the Lord’s saving death which has won our salvation.’

Wonderful to see James Barr’s work being referenced. His scholarship and integrity of faith were a beacon when I was studying theology in Edinburgh in the 80’s, and for the first time in my faith journey having to respond to this fundamentalist element, with which, hitherto, I had had little contact or knowledge.

His writing introduced me to the very freeing relationship that the rabbinical tradition has with the text. So the text enables reflection rather than being used to eradicate any possibility of free thought.

Christianity that divorces itself form the hebrew scriptures is a very barren affair and of course neglects the reality that it was a Jew who hung on the cross…not a Christian. ( A rather important historical detail!)

I removed my shoes today as I went into “my” church hall to share greetings with the Muslim community who offer their prayers every Friday at St John’s Church in Northwood. On this day (Good Friday) when as Christians we allow the shadow of the cross to fall across our lives, it felt important to stand with my Muslim pilgrims to affirm the love of our creator.

As Christians this is the day when the cost of betrayal is laid bare and hung up high. As Muslims and Christians we know the cost in our own day of betrayal, of shoddy thinking; the consequences of faith stripped of integrity and truth.

I trust we work together to challenge ignorance and chase away the darkness of fear.

In peace

James

Categories: Bible, Biblical scholarship, Christianity, Islam, London