God and the Whistling Train Chapter1 section 7

We essentially have three descriptive sections of the creation. The first one which is in the sentence above from verse one. It  is just a statement of fact. This is followed by a description of the process by which it came about, which may make this second description  an addendum to the first. Because it's the main part of the discussion in chapter, I treat as an entity of its own. It more than just the second version of the creation story.

However, we have another viewpoint and another way of looking at it in chapter 2 of Genesis.  This gives another viewpoint and adds aspects that we would not otherwise have known. Three descriptions  about the  creation is not something that is unusual in Scripture. The most obvious similarity is in the fact that there are four gospels each presenting the story of Jesus in their own particular way and with their own viewpoint. We can see the contrast in the different viewpoints too when we consider Kings and  Chronicles, both studying are very similar time-space but with different emphasis. Therefore, having multiple books or passages about the same topic is common in the book library called the bible.

Another aspect of what  is going on is that God is helping us understand the language and concepts that help us to step into the carriage of faith. As a process, this is not unusual. 

The most difficult aspect of studying any subject is learning the language of the subject. It doesn't matter whether it is Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Economics or Psychology, they all have unique words and ideas incorporated in how they are discussed. The difficulty for the economics professor or any teacher is introducing those terms. The Bible and the faith of the Bible is no different. Initial ideas have to be simple and in terms that any hearer  can understand.

God and the Whistling Train chapter 1 section 6

It is worth reflecting on the words of the dubious statement of the scientist mentioned earlier. Where was Lazarus, to be able to be recalled. It is interesting to read the church history about this man. It is said that he never smiled after the event, so concerned was he about what he saw in those four days of death. Well the encouraging thing is the Jesus talked about that future to the sisters and post resurrection made several positive comments about life after death for those who believe.

It would be great in all these bible stories explained above to be a simple explanation that we could understand. But there isn’t. They are all far too complex for our understanding. We can only accept the truth of them. And say they were miraculous because the science that is underneath them is beyond what we know and understand.

So we have situations that could not be explained simply yet behind them much was happening. We need to understand that the scripture talks in terms we understand, it gives an overall picture, and the complex is explained simply.

In the next discussion about creation, some of what happens is beyond our understanding. We may arrange our own ways of describing what happened, we may even say that is all just a neat way of talking about what we don’t understand. It has to be simple, because the library couldn’t hold the books needed to explain what happened in the beginning. And God in his wisdom has given us some interesting pictures that helps us gaining some insight into what happened in the beginning.

If we open the Bible, which is the Christian textbook, we find a very interesting declaration in the first verse.

Genesis 1:1 (NKJV) In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 

This is very clear statement of what God did. 

God and the Whistling Train Chapter 1 section 5

There are two stories in this passage, which miraculous healing happened with merely a word from Jesus. The last one, is interesting. Firstly because it’s about gynaecological issues, which often prove very difficult to solve. And often involve significant operations for those suffering in this area. Typical of the situation, the woman was shy and didn’t want to talk about what the problem was. And the news of what Jesus was able to do had reached her ears. She takes the situation forward one step. She considers her situation and concludes that if she could just touched the hem of the clothing that Jesus wore, she could be healed of such a deliberating condition. And she did. It is important to notice how quickly the changes occurred in what Christ was able to achieve. Jesus noted the situation and just commended the woman and faith.

In chapter 14:36 it suggests that many people started just to touch the hem of his cloak and received healing. So the story receives some publicity.

The incredible structural changes that had to happen in that poor woman’s body for her to have health. Yet they happened in an instant. So what do we do, we say, a miracle occurred, why? Because what happened was so incredible that we cannot understand or use  terms and descriptions that could be understood to describe the happening. There had to be incredible changes in that woman’s physical body. Molecular, changes to blood, through to physical rearrangements that we can only guess about.

The other story in this section of Scripture, is about the leaders daughter dying. By the time the leader is able to find and talk to Jesus, the establishment had then able to arrange for people to wail and begin the process celebrating the death.  For this, they had to be convinced the child was dead. Yet to Jesus she was only asleep and he raises to life a little girl that was not breathing, that people knew was dead .

The last story I would like to allude to, is the story of Lazarus. The man who had been dead for four days. And when Jesus asked those about him to open the tomb, they suggested that the stench would be unbearable. Yet Jesus was able to call him out of the tomb. We would like to suggest that maybe he was psychologically in a difficult situation and death was just a picture of his dilemma. But we must remember he was in a psychological situation that necessitated four days in a tomb and the need to undo the death wrappings. 

God and the Whistling Train chapter 1 section 4

Mark 3:1-5 (NKJV) And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand. So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. And He said to the man who had the withered hand, “Step forward.” Then He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they kept silent. And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other.

Note the the withered hand was restored; to be as whole as the other hand. An easy understandable picture. However, the statement, once again, covers an immense biological process of recovery that is not possible with today’s technology; cells recovering and new ones being formed, blood flowing in ways it did not before, and nerves responding so the arm will move and muscles doing their job, no longer frozen. We underestimate the creative nature of God. The creative power of God is evident every where and we have become accustomed to it. But it is important to see that, a miracle is correct term but it covers many things that we cannot explain and do not see.

Here we have two examples which appear simple and the simplicity masks a very complex achievement. The mechanics of which, are far beyond what we could understand.

Matthew 9:18-26 (NKJV) While He spoke these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped Him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her and she will live.” So Jesus arose and followed him, and so did His disciples. And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.” But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour. When Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd wailing, He said to them, “Make room, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping.” And they ridiculed Him. But when the crowd was put outside, He went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. And the report of this went out into all that land.