"The tiger to the lamb shall yield and war descend the tomb," ...

Originally taken from an article I had published in Ploughshares and written while studying at Highland Theological College.

References and other useful resources:

Acta Martyrum (Ratisborn, 1859)

Cadoux, The Early Christian Attitude to War: A Contribution to the History of Christian Ethics (Headley Bros: London 1919)

Constitution of the Oberlin Non - Resistance Society (www.nonresitance.org 17/01/09)

Dresser The Bible Against War (Oberlin: Ohio, 2006)

Dymond ‘The Early Christians on the subject of war’ (1821) An Inquiry into the Accordancy of War with the Principles of Christianity

Gillman A Light that is Shining: an introduction to the Quakers (Quaker Books: London, 2003)

Kurlansky Nonviolence (Jonathan Cape: London, 2006)

Lock ‘Transcribers’ notes’, Pacificus A Solemn Review of the Customs of War (Oberlin: Ohio, 2007)

Meyer The Pacifist Conscience (Rupert Hart - Davis Ltd: London, 1966)

Molnar A study of Peter Chelcický’s Life and Translation of from Czech of part one of his Net of Faith (Berkeley: California, 1947)

Pacificus A Solemn Review of the Customs of War (Oberlin: Ohio, 2007)

Penn Address to the American Indians (1682) cited in Meyer The Pacifist Conscience (Rupert Hart - Davis Ltd: London, 1966)

Ringma Resist the Powers (Albatross, 1995)

Vanier Finding Peace (Continuum: London, 2003)

Water Moral Choices Made Simple (Hunt Ltd, 2002)

Whelpley Letters addressed to Caleb Strong ESQ (The Elm Street Printing Company, 1870)

"The light shines in the dark, and the dark cannot put out the light." (John 1:5 Easy English Bible)

In the cross reference and notes of the Easy English Bible it says "The Word (Jesus Christ) is like light. He shows us what is true. The dark means the power of God's enemy, Satan. Satan tries to hide what is true. God's light shines in the dark places and Satan cannot stop that light. Jesus said that he himself was the light of the world."

It suggests two other verses:

[1] John 8:12 - "Jesus spoke to the people again. He said, ‘I am the light of the world. a. Those people who become my disciples will never walk in the dark. No, they will have the light that gives life.’"

(a. Jesus said that he was the light of the world. The Jews lit a special light in the temple during the Festival of Tabernacles.)

[2] John 9:5 - "While I am still here in the world, I am the world's light.’"

In history and in our own lifetimes there has been both light and darkness. It can seem at times that the world is in such a huge dark mess that all hope is lost. However, tyrants and corrupt leaders come and go, arms dealers are defeated by time and death, empires that oppress crumble like ruined buildings that were built on sand, the war machinery rumbles and blusters for a season but after the proverbial floods the doves come out.

All is vanity and all is loss unless the light shines. Gladly He always has and always will shine!

In the blitz it was said if you light the smallest light in the pitch black it can be seen miles above and the enemy can see the target below. But, the light of Christ is more powerful than the temple light and the sun combined. It is a bold light. It says to the great darkness, the enemy, "Behold, you are defeated for the light has come!"

This light nourishes those who bathe in its glory. This light brings life!

My little boy brought a sunflower home from nursery on Mothers Day. It is thriving on the kitchen window. It opens its petals to brother sun and receives the light. In much the same way we must open ourselves up to receiving His light.

In turn as we follow Him we must be little lights in this world, spreading the good news. This may be by words in season and out of season and it may also be by peacemaking, love and good deeds. Rest assured His light never goes out!

There are many good Catechisms available. But, somewhere along the line Christians in many parts of the church at large seem to have lost this age old practice of simple instruction in the format of questions and answers. In no way is this little contribution meant to take away from good Catechisms already written, but rather to be a compliment to them. This is a simple way for me to share the good news with others. It is my hope that you the reader or listener may find biblical help from the simplicity of the good news.

The introduction to this message.

Prayer: Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. Illustrative Opening: Our Daily Bread on 17th February 1996 recounted this story: “When Henry Rolls was walking through his factory in its early days, he overheard a lathe operator say, “Oh, that’ll do,” as he tossed a part into a basket. The part looked all right to the casual observer, but Henry Rolls expected his workmen to use a micrometer and be satisfied with nothing less than precision accuracy. So when Mr. Rolls heard that comment, he reprimanded the man, “That may do for anyone else, but it will not do for Rolls-Royce.” God is satisfied with righteousness. Divine specifications do not allow for sloppy seconds. Jesus brought this out in Matthew 5. First He says to His listeners, “You have heard”—that’s the human standard. Then He says, “But I say to you”—that’s God’s standard. He highlights the standard by which God’s children should stand out from the world. That is the difference between The Kingdom of men and The Kingdom of God.

Todays message is Righteousness of the Kingdom

READ: Matthew 5:17-32

My Christian Testimony (recorded before 2023).

"...I don't believe this is a disorder, disease or demon. It is merely a difference, a neurodivergence. If people do wish to pray things away, may it be abelism in our society that they turn the fight against..."

A message by David Holdsworth on Matthew 5:17-32 for Edinburgh Preaching Group at Kelso Evangelical Church, Sunday 3rd December 2023.