Josh and the Deacon: Lighting the Dark: A Searching Conversation about Faith

By Malcolm Lyons

The story of creation, as depicted in the book of Genesis, baffled Josh. He could not come to grips with the mechanics of the process. Whenever the topic confronted him, he would find himself asking the question: how? He also had other concerns about his faith. So, when Bob, a deacon in his Church, asked him a question, Josh was inwardly pleased as he saw this as the door being opened. Yes, he could now have a discussion with the knowledgeable deacon. His probing questions kept the cordial conversation flowing. The deacon's explanations, by way of analogy, pleasantly surprised Josh. He felt that a light had been brought into the dark areas.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Aug 12, 2022
• ISBN: 9781922788429

Book preview

Introduction

Bob, a deacon, had just arrived at the town in which he was scheduled to lead the townspeople in a Communion service. As usual, he was about an hour ahead of time. It was a time he enjoyed, because it enabled him to get involved with the organisers and, of course, to have a chat with some of the locals.

On this occasion, he was accompanied by Josh, a student who lived with his parents in the house next door. While waiting for the service to commence, Josh and the deacon had an interesting discussion about their faith. It was a wide-ranging discussion that was interesting and informative.

B. That was quite a long trip, wasn’t it, Josh?

J. Yes, it was, Bob, but I enjoyed it. It was wonderful, especially around the hills. So many shades of green on those trees. The flowers were beautiful. Brilliant colours! Even the crops in farming areas looked lush and healthy.

B. I happen to know many of those farmers and, believe me Josh, they love it there.

J. How could anyone not love it? It’s a beautiful part of the world. Reminds me of that song by Armstrong: ‘What a Wonderful World.’

B. Yes, this part of the world is truly beautiful, and so is that song. I come by this way quite often and, sometimes, the beauty evokes in me that inspiring hymn — ‘How Great Thou Art’ — which extols not only the beauty around us, but also the power and might on display and, importantly, the love that made it all happen. Just like good planning, dedication and hard work made those farms you saw come alive. And oh, there’s a lot of good food in those trees and crops.

J. Yeah, I know. It is amazing how they make this food by using carbon dioxide and water in some complicated way.

B. Well, one way or another, all living things are dependent on plants for food. That is amazing, when you come to think of it. But, besides food, Josh, they provide us medicines, materials for building and for fuel, and nesting places for birds — just to name a few. By the way, you forgot to mention the light and heat from the sun that was involved in the food-making process.

J. That’s Nature at work. And to think that it has been this way for thousands of years. Wow! Even the Lord said that it was Good when He saw His creation unfolding … one day after another. Is this why we should respect the earth?

B. I would say so. Because, like our mothers, the earth enables God’s gifts of life to emerge from within it. The earth does make God’s life-sustaining gifts ‒ plants, minerals, water ‒ available to us and so, we must respect it. This does not mean that earth should be worshipped as a god. I respect my mother, but I do not worship her. Only God is worshipped. Some people cringe about saying mother earth but are quite comfortable with words like mother country and motherland.

J. Good point. But talking about our earth, I wonder how God created all these marvellous things. As a Bible scholar, Deacon, do you believe the Genesis account of Creation?

B. I’m not a Bible scholar, but I do read the Bible along with some other good literature. In answer to your question, yes, most definitely, I do believe in the account of creation in Genesis. Over time, it has intrigued many people, including philosophers, theologians, scientists, and the