Goole and Selby Methodist Circuit – Worshipping and Serving God in our bit of Yorkshire

Embracing Paradox: Refresh your approach to the Bible

Following on from the excellent sessions on Prayer's Beautiful Mystery during Advent, six more sessions are planned looking at discovering the beauty, wisdom, and mystery in the ancient texts of the Bible.

While the Bible is undoubtedly a source of profound wisdom, humour, captivating stories, and deep comfort, it remains a curious and sometimes perplexing book. Navigating these ancient writings can feel daunting, almost as if we’re missing a trick or doing something wrong. Yet, this sense of challenge is perfectly natural when dealing with texts that are thousands of years old.

One of the most striking features of the Bible is its abundance of paradoxes. It rarely presents truths in a straightforward, black-and-white manner. Instead, its pages are filled with apparent contradictions, statements, and perspectives that, at first glance, seem opposed, yet somehow coexist and reveal a deeper truth.

This is where our journey begins: by embracing the paradoxes rather than seeking to resolve them too quickly or choosing one side over another. When we give space for the Bible’s mysteries to breathe, we often discover surprising good news and fresh insights.

Our upcoming series, during the season of Lent, will delve into six of these paradoxes. Each session invites us to keep reading, keep questioning, and above all, keep wondering. Here’s a glimpse of what we’ll explore:

25th February - Whose word is it? God's word, or human words?
4th March - Is the Bible trustworthy? Is it flawless, or inconsistent?
11th March - Did it really happen? Is it fact or fiction?
18th March - Is the Bible clear? Or is it opaque?
25th March - Is it a rule book? It is limiting or liberating?
1st April - Is it relevant today? is it just written for then, or does it apply now?

We invite you to join us on this journey, 2pm at Howden Methodist Church, as we embrace the Bible’s beautiful strangeness together. By welcoming paradox and allowing space for mystery, we open ourselves to deeper understanding and renewed faith.