BBC NEWS | Science & Environment | Earliest 'human footprints' found

This is a very interesting story just for the insight it offers into the way scientists can discern human characteristics from a footprint and distinguish them from those of other primates. I am looking at evolution, which seems appropriate at the time of the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth. What interests me about this story is that the findings being reported have been published in the Journal of Science. I just wonder why the findings of the so-called Creationist or Intelligent Design proponents are not published this way? I know this is a provocative question but surely for a scientist the most important thing is peer review and publication in recognised and respected science journals?

The earliest footprints showing evidence of modern human foot anatomy and gait have been unearthed in Kenya.

The 1.5-million-year-old footprints display signs of a pronounced arch and short, aligned toes, in contrast to older footprints.

The size and spacing of the Kenyan markings - attributed to Homo erectus - reflect the height, weight, and walking style of modern humans.

The findings have been published in the journal Science.

BBC NEWS | Science & Environment | Earliest 'human footprints' found

BBC NEWS | Science & Environment | Earliest 'human footprints' found

I am looking at evolution, which seems appropriate at the time of the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth. What interests me about this story is that the findings being reported have been published in the Journal of Science. I just wonder why the findings of the so-called Creationist or Intelligent Design proponents are not published this way? I know this is a provocative question but surely for a scientist the most important thing is peer review and publication in recognised and respected science journals?

The earliest footprints showing evidence of modern human foot anatomy and gait have been unearthed in Kenya.

The 1.5-million-year-old footprints display signs of a pronounced arch and short, aligned toes, in contrast to older footprints.

The size and spacing of the Kenyan markings - attributed to Homo erectus - reflect the height, weight, and walking style of modern humans.

The findings have been published in the journal Science.

BBC NEWS | Science & Environment | Earliest 'human footprints' found

Dear Saints

Dear Saints (Revelation 2:1-3:22)

The letters to the churches in Revelation, which we have been looking at these past seven weeks, were addressed to real 1st Century churches and they find their parallels in today’s churches. Each was marked by distinctive characteristics, each commended, censured and warned according to what Jesus saw in that church. The most important thing to remember is that this is “A revelation of Jesus Christ” and the letters are concerned with the relationship of the churches to him. It is still so today and, although we might not see him, we remember that John’s vision shows Jesus, our Lord and Judge, present among the churches (Rev.2:1). We face the same challenges as those early churches, wealth, poverty, persecution, and need a vision of Jesus among us if we are to respond appropriately and live faithfully in the face of these challenges of which we are surely aware today.

If Jesus were writing a letter to the churches in your area today what might he write? What strengths would he commend, what weaknesses condemn, what actions would he insist you take? As we look at each letter we may well see our church reflected there, even as we may see ourselves in Scripture.

“Ephesus”: The church in Ephesus (Rev,2:1-7) was a steadfast church, enduring hardship, combating the work of false apostles and persevering. Yet they were charged that they had “forsaken your first love”. To them the one “who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lamp stands” says, “Repent and do the things you did at first”. Jesus is intimately involved with his church and cares for everything we endure as well as jealous for our love.

“Smyrna”: The church in Smyrna (Rev.2:8-11) was a persecuted church, enduring suffering and poverty. They are reminded by “him who is the First and Last, who died and came to life” that they are rich in the things of heaven and encouraged to continue in faith, not fearing, and the crown of life would be theirs. Jesus is “the First and the Last”, the Maker and the Judge of everyone, standing above and ruling over all things. He has suffered with us and can identify with our own struggles, holding out the crown of life that he has won so dearly for those who endure in faith.

“Pergamum”: The church at Pergamum (Rev.2:12-17) was commended for doctrinal correctness yet censured for questionable practices and immoral conduct; they were morally compromised. “He who has the sharp, double-edged sword” warns them “Repent therefore!” Jesus is our Judge and he will bring judgement on all those who compromise in the practical way they live, or fail to live their faith.

“Thyatira”: The church in Thyatira (Rev.2:18-29) was commended for their love and faith, service and perseverance yet they were doctrinally compromised. They tolerated a false prophetess called Jezebel and who led them into sexual immorality and questionable religious practices. “These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze” (who has penetrating insight and whose feet are swift to pursue evil and tread it down); Don’t tolerate false teaching or follow secret ways. Only hold to what you have.

“Sardis”: The church in Sardis (Rev.3:1-6) was a counterfeit church. It looked good and had a reputation for life; but it was dead! “These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars...Wake up! This church was on its death bed and didn’t even know. They were told to “strengthen what remains and is about to die”. They were counselled to go back to first principles, to remember what they had received and heard, obey it and repent.

“Philadelphia”: The church in Philadelphia (Rev.3:7-13) was an obedient church. They had kept God’s word and not denied his name. To these the One “who is holy and true, who holds the key of David” promises an open door that no one can shut, the bringing low of their enemies and the promise of being kept in him from the hour of trial which is to come. They are advised to hold on to what they have and they will see the New Jerusalem.

“Laodicea”: The church in Laodicea (Rev.3:14-22) was a materialistic church that boasted in its wealth and yet was described as “wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked”. To these “the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation” brings an invitation to become rich in the things of heaven, gold refined in fire, white clothes and eye salve that they may see where true wealth lies. It is here, among the Saints in Laodicea, that Jesus stands at the door of each heart, seeking entry.

As we read the letters we find time and again an emphasis on Kingdom priorities: first principles; enduring faith; faithfulness in doctrine and practice, determination in denying error any place and a life of repentance and obedience. Whatever we are doing, as a church or as individuals, we must not abandon our first love, must always remember and obey what we received and heard, must be prepared to persevere in the faith and be true to the name of the one who bought us at such great cost. We will not be especially popular or well thought of for doing so but the one whose assessment of us is paramount holds out to us a crown of life.

Previous Posts in this Series:

A Message of Hope
Remember Your First Love
Be Faithful
Be True
Hold On!
Wake Up!
A New name
The Real Thing

Dear Saints - Its the Real Thing

The Real Thing (Revelation 3:14-22)

“It’s the real thing!” So went a famous advertising slogan some years ago. In this, the last of the seven letters to the churches, there could not be a clearer illustration of the importance of having the real thing. The letter is addressed “To the angel of the church in Laodicea” and later in the letter we find one of most iconic images of Christ in the Bible, made famous for us in the painting of the nineteenth century artist William Holman Hunt: “I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me” (v20)

As we are often reminded, Christ is seeking admittance to the heart of the saint and not the sinner. Here is a letter to the church and its members, not the world and it’s lost. There is an urgency about the Saviour’s mission, “I am about to spit you out of my mouth!” And there is the exposure of a powerful delusion that is at work in the church that considers itself rich and wanting for nothing. But they didn’t have the real thing.

Laodicea was a fabulously wealthy city, famous for three things: banking, schools of medicine and a textile industry. It was so wealthy that, when it was destroyed by an earthquake in 60 AD Tacitus was able to say that the city, “without any relief from us, recovered itself by its own resources”. Time and again we have seen the danger of adopting the spirit of the society around us and here, in Laodicea, that same self-sufficiency and pride in personal wealth and resources in their secular lives had made the saints lukewarm in their religion. They were a church, they met and worshipped, they were busy churchmen and women who sang the latest choruses, kept the flowers fresh in the side chapel, the church silver polished and the collection plates filled and yet Christ wishes for them that they were either hot or cold. It is a damning indictment to be told that it would be better to be utterly cold towards Christ than wallow in a false piety.

Those who are falsely pious inevitably put their trust in false things and Christ stands at the door of their hearts offering what is true. He tells the saints in Laodicea that they are “wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked” and he invites them to purchase from him three things that contrast starkly with Laodicea’s wealth:

1. “Gold refined in the fire, so that you can become rich”

Peter refers to faith as “of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire”, that it “may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed” (1 Pe.1:7)

2. “White clothes to wear, so that you can cover your shameful nakedness”

White robes contrast with black woollen clothing for which the city was famous and nakedness was seen as the ultimate humiliation in the ancient world, while to be clothed in fine clothing was a great honour.

3. “Salve to put on your eyes, so that you can see”

Laodicea’s medical schools would have used a famous salve, brought in from nearby Phrygia, to treat eye complaints. However, Christ alone gives true sight (Jn.9:39)

He stands at the door of hearts gone lukewarm and complacent in things of faith and offers the priceless wealth of faith that is of greater worth than gold, righteousness that is not our own and true insight into the things of God. To all who will open their hearts he offers to come and eat; a picture of leisurely intimacy and association – the real thing.

When it comes to counterfeits the Bible gives us ample warning; Paul wrote to the Colossians:

“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world” (Col.2:8)

Whether it is worldly wealth and self-sufficiency or the hollow and deceptive philosophies offered by the world we are to guard against the counterfeit, contend for the faith and refuse to settle for anything less than that which Christ offers and has won for us through his atoning work on the Cross; the real thing.

Previous Posts in this Series:
A Message of Hope
Remember Your First Love
Be Faithful
Be True
Hold On!
Wake Up!

A New name

Some Days Just go Well

Can I just say, in all humility, with modest pride and malice to no one


Wales 23 - England 15

Dear Saints - A New Name

Dear Saints

A New Name (Revelation 3:7-13)

Philadelphia was called ‘the gateway to the East’ and justly so given its situation at the junction of the approaches to several cities of Asia Minor. It was named after Attalus II Philadelphus of Pergamum who founded the city in 140BC. A prosperous city and famous for its grape growing, it was the centre of missionary activity for the Hellenistic world-view and the centre of worship of the god Dyonisos as well as containing temples to other gods. Dyonisos was said to have been born from the thigh of Zeus, his cult often violent and bizarre and his nature perceived as both man and animal, male and effeminate, young and old. He represents an enchanted world and extraordinary experience and a challenge to the established social order. When the Romans adopted the Greek gods (as they did wholemeal along with many other Greek customs) Dyonisos became the familiar Bacchus, the god of wine and intoxication.

The hot springs of Philadelphia were the product of volcanic activity and the city suffered from an earthquake in 17 AD. Although the name Philadelphia persisted the city received a new name twice: that of Neocaesarea as a sign of gratitude for Tiberius’ help in rebuilding after the earthquake, and later Flavia, after the family name of the Emperor Vaspasian.

So, to a city famed for its worship of a god of disorder and intoxication, whose name was changed twice according to the circumstances and political winds of the time Christ comes as:

“[The one] who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open”

He promises:

“Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the New Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name.”

The contrast could not be starker! As we have looked at these letters it has been striking that all the churches were ‘in the world’ but, to a greater or lesser degree, not ‘of the world’. These were not ivory tower Christians but, as we have seen - from the example of Sardis last week for instance - some came dangerously close to being worldly Christians. Philadelphia was not and, like Smyrna, received commendation but no censure. Yet they were evidently small (“you have little strength” v8), nevertheless had qualities that were to be commended. Christ knew their deeds and wanted to encourage them and there is much here about perseverance. What were the commendable deeds of the saint in Philadelphia?

· They had kept God’s word

· They had not denied God’s name

· They had kept God’s command to endure patiently

When you consider where they were and what pressures of custom and practice surrounded them: the allure of success and wealth; the pleasures of temple worship; the ‘enlightened’ world-view of the Hellenists, we can begin to appreciate how they might be an example for us today. Our society favours wealth and celebrity and their attendant pleasures above almost everything and post-modern man assures himself that his liberal ideas make him enlightened above all that have gone before. Yet, like the society of Philadelphia, these things are subject to the winds of change and nothing permanent remains. Even in the church now bandwagons are commonplace, each promising fresh blessing, new programmes and insights and a sort of celebrity for those most adept at the latest thing.

To us, as to the saints of Philadelphia, Christ is the one fixed point in this changing scene and, unlike the world, he promises a permanent place (vv 11-12) in God’s temple and a permanent name, which is the name of God for all those who persevere as they did.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those of who belong to the family of believers” (Gal.6:9-10)

Previous Posts in this Series:

A Message of Hope

Remember Your First Love

Be Faithful

Be True

Hold On!

Wake Up!

Dear Saints - Wake Up!

Wake Up! (Revelation 3:1-6)

A parable is told of two angels travelling on the Lord’s business. They sought shelter for the night and, seeing two cities on a plain, noted that one of the cities was watched over by a demon, the other by a legion of demons. The less experienced angel suggested they stay in the first but the more experienced angel insisted on staying at the second. Surprised, the young angel asked why his companion wanted to stay where there were so many demons and the older angel explained that the righteousness of that city was great, as evidenced by the fact that so many demons were trying to corrupt it, while the other city was so spiritually complacent that it took but one demon to hold demonic sway. This describes somewhat the city of Sardis.

Complacency was endemic in Sardis and was to be its downfall on more than one occasion. It was a wealthy commercial centre and at one time the capital of Croesus, last king of Lydia (560-546 BC), who was so rich and powerful that his name became proverbial for wealth – “As rich as Croesus”. He was finally overthrown by Cyrus of Persia (2 Chr.36:22). Built on a hill that seemed impregnable and enjoying fabulous wealth, its citizens appear to have entertained an overconfidence that was to be their downfall, being conquered in 549 BC by Cyrus and again in 218 BC by Antiochus.

It is a pity that there are Christians who convince themselves that, in the new life they have in Christ they remain untouched by zeitgeist, or the general spirit of the society and age in which they live. That was the trouble at Sardis. John does not mention anything like the persecutions and error typical of other of his letters, giving the impression that the church had not suffered such disturbances. Rather, the problems appear to have stemmed from within, from their sheltered and relatively safe lives. The Christians of Sardis were typical of the citizens of Sardis!

You can see how people in such circumstances might be very busy, managing their church, enjoying fellowship, congratulating each other on how the Lord is surely blessing their lives, but John writes:

“I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up!”

There was no shortage of ‘stuff going on’ and Jesus saw this activity, but he was not to be fooled. Christians here were slack – “I have not found your works complete” - and, what was worse, the majority fell into this category. John writes, “Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes.” This was a reference to an ancient belief that dirty clothing was held to dishonour the deity. These people “will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy”. This does not mean that they have merited justification but that they have walked according to the justification they have in Christ. What does that walk look like? This is vital because Jesus promises, “He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white.”

It is popular these days to think that such a church needs a ‘shot in the arm’, a ‘blessing’, a ‘revival preacher’ to bring ‘refreshing’. John’s prescription for this church is somewhat more – basic. There are three things prescribed in John’s letter for those whose faith is complacent and whose walk is incomplete:

1. “Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard”

This means ‘bear in mind’ rather than ‘recall’. They hadn’t forgotten so much as failed to keep in mind the things of God, how they had heard the good news and from whom these things had come. If you have ever questioned the worth of regular Bible reading, Christian fellowship and mutual encouragement consider how God directed the church in Sardis.

2. “Obey it”

This is more in the sense of ‘keep’, making it a continuing activity; a constancy in attending to the things of God. Novelty is no solution to complacency but faithfulness.

3. “Repent”

There is an urgency in this word and we can see why when we read, “Strengthen what remains and is about to die.” Paul tells us to examine ourselves to see if we are ‘in the faith’. Such self-examination will make us aware of where we need to strengthen what we have.

It is easy when involved in ‘doing good’, running programmes, doing ‘deeds’ to forget why we are doing it and what we have heard and received; to have the appearance of life while being close to death, and sometimes it is good to be challenged to “Wake up!” Only those who pay attention to such things will be acknowledged by Jesus before the Father and his angels and only those who know this are truly equipped to reach out to the lost.

Previous Posts in this Series:
A Message of Hope
Remember Your First Love
Be Faithful
Be True

Hold On!