The Old, Old Story....Simply Told

By Greville Mills

'The Old Old Story… Simply Told' is a 'jargon-free' version of the story of Jesus of Nazareth – what he did and said. A story told simply with explanations of the customs and circumstances in which the events took place. Did he really exist – or was he a myth? Is this story relevant for today? Judge for yourself.

Most books on Christianity are written for people who already believe. This is not one of them. This book is mainly for anyone who is not a Christian but curious about what a Christian is, or represents. It's a book for the sceptic or those for whom 'faith' is a problematic word; for any who are curious but not yet convinced. It has been written for the serious or casual 'enquirer'; for the 'browser'; for the person who says "there's a lot of 'stuff' about Christianity that I don't understand, and I can't be bothered to find out - it's too complicated!" It's a book written for anyone who feels they've 'messed up' their lives, and don't know what to do next. And it's for those who don't really care about Jesus, (whoever he is), and who have no need for 'stuff' like this. It's also a book for any Christian who can't quite find the words or doesn't know where to start to tell others what he or she believes.

If you are any one of these people, this book may be for you.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Greville Mills
• Release date: Dec 14, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301251247

Greville Mills

I'm a lay preacher in the Methodist church, in Bath (UK) where I have lived with my wife for over 30 years. We have three children who have all left home and living in various towns around the UK. My interests, outside the church, include orienteering and fell running (although not too much of this lately) and singing in a local a cappella choir.

Book preview

The Old, Old Story … Simply Told

By Greville Mills

Copyright Greville Mills 2012

Published at Smashwords

(V.27 – September 2015)

"Tell me the old, old story of unseen things above,

Of Jesus and His glory, Of Jesus and His love.

Tell me the story simply as to a little child,

For I am weak and weary, and helpless and defiled."

Catherine Hankey, (1834-1911)

Acknowledgment:-

Thank you to:-

Catherine Hankey, (1834-1911) for her hymn ‘Tell me the old, old story’ which provided the inspiration for the title of this book. The tune came to me one day as I was thinking about the ‘story’ I had tried to re-tell. Tears came as I read the words – it was a God-inspired moment, since it said exactly what I have been trying to put across. (All the words to the hymn can be found in the Appendices)

My Beta readers – your input has been invaluable

Howard who edited the book and ensured you can read the ‘words wot I rote’

Tricia for her never-ending love and support

Contents

Chapter 1. - Foreword

1.1 - How I came to write the book

1.2 - Who is the book for? Can you recognise yourself?

Chapter 2. - What is a Christian?

2.1 - What does the word mean?

2.2 - What do Christians believe?

Chapter 3. - History or Story?

Chapter 4. - The story

4.1 - What Jesus did and said

4.2 - His life story

4.3 - His birth

4.4 - Early years

4.5 - What he came to do

4.6 - Hometown visit

4.7 - Key Events and Significant Happenings

4.8 - Parables

4.9 - Miraculous healing

4.10 - Mixing with the ‘undesirables’

4.11 - Open air sermon

4.12 - Joy before sadness

4.13 - ‘Showdown’

4.14 - They think it’s all over…..

Chapter 5. - Why Jesus came

5.1 - Roman Empire

5.2 - Religious leaders

5.3 - Daily life

Chapter 6. - Why he did what he did

Chapter 7. - Some final reflections

7.1 - Where does knowledge end – and Belief start?

7.2 - Truth or fiction?

7.3 - Why write this book now?

Chapter 8. - Appendices

8.1 - The historical record

8.2 - The books that make up the Bible

8.3 – Old Testament (39 books)

8.4 - New Testament (27 books)

Chapter 9. - Glossary of terms

Chapter 10. - References

Chapter 1- Foreword

1.1 - How I came to write the book

It was after closing time and the shop windows shone brightly. I was just walking past a jewellers shop and the array of sports watches caught my eye – I could do with a new one – one with a 30 lap-time memory. This was an attractive selection with a wide range of alternatives. As I bent over to study the different watches, comparing their features and prices, I found myself gradually walking around the first window into the recess towards the entrance door. I didn’t take much notice of it at the time but the window was continuous – it went round in a curve. I became aware of it as my concentration increased on the display. It was getting brighter and all of a sudden I realised I was actually inside the shop; it had been open all the time. It was a bit of a shock at first – I hadn’t expected it. The main reason for looking in shop windows after the shop had closed was that you could shop without coming under any obligation to buy or pressure from a keen salesperson to be persuaded to part with your cash. I always had that fear. I hated shopping and only went into shops for things I definitely needed.

As it happened I wasn’t subjected to the third degree of sales onslaught. The assistants smiled, were friendly, and stayed behind their counters.

Nevertheless I got out of there pretty quick, just in case they came after me. But a little further down the road, I started to reflect on the experience and two things struck me. The first was what a clever device it had been: to get a reluctant shopper into the shop without feeling pressurised. It was true that I had not noticed the point at which I crossed the threshold to get inside the shop. The second was that I was never under any perceived threat or pressure. The experience was a seamless one from one moment being outside the shop and in the next moment being inside.

This experience reminds me very much of how I came to be a Christian, albeit over a longer period of time. Mine was not what can sometimes be referred to as a dramatic awakening, a sudden event that happened on a particular day at a particular time, and whose effect is on-going. No, mine occurred gently and almost unnoticed – a bit like going to bed at night with a headache and waking in the morning to find it gone – you don’t know when precisely it happened – just that it did. Now, it is my duty to share my experience of what I have come to believe with those I meet, in the hope that they too can find that same rewarding help and support in the good and not-so-good times.

How I fulfil this duty is however very important. I aim to give you an experience similar to mine in the jewellers shop. I want you to be able to read about a series of events and not to feel the pressure normally associated with any retelling of the Jesus narrative. You have to judge for yourself whether it has any lasting effect for you.

In this sense you should treat the book as you would a shop. It presents you with the goods on display for you to browse without undue pressure to buy. If you need assistance with information about the features or prices, or how to get the best out of the product on sale, there is help on hand in the appendix and the highlighted glossaries. You can browse without any obligation to ‘buy’ – and you can come back and have another look at any time you like. It functions like a 24/7 shop, but perhaps you may have to wait a little while for the ‘assistant’ to answer your query.

1.2 - Who is the book for? - Can you recognise yourself?

Christians may well be interested in this book but it is primarily meant for those who are not Christians; those for whom ‘faith’ is a problematic word, – or for ‘non-believers’ or ‘outsiders’ – in fact, all those who are made to feel ‘excluded’ by religion and religious people. There are also just as many who don’t know or understand what a Christian is or what they believe in.

And how about those who did RE (religious education) at school or were made to go to church by their parents, but never understood it or saw any relevance in it for their lives, and never thought about it again. Or what about those who have a friend or someone they know who is a Christian – and who have seen what they do and how they live their lives and wondered why they live like that. Or what about those who have a Christian faith but who don’t quite know how to tell others what they believe.

If you are any one of these people or you are mildly curious - even sceptical – not really sure but interested enough to learn a bit more – then maybe this book is for you. Above all, if you find yourself answering any of these questions with a yes, and want a jargon free explanation which is short and to the point, and which doesn’t preach at you, then read on.

Jesus never forced anyone to follow him – it’s all about freedom of choice. The same