In these 10 articles by Margaret Barker, Fr Michael Hall responds to their call and offers us a series of ‘Creation Commandments’ to aid our reflection and prayers in the lead up to COP26 and beyond.
Also in Going Deeper
Law and Mercy in the Scriptures and Today > Poverty in the Bible > Between the Testaments > Biblically Wild > Abraham in Early Jewish Interpretation > Introducing the Letter of Jeremiah > Mirrors: how the Bible is key to reconciliation > The Psalms: A Doorway to Jewish-Catholic Dialogue > One Man and his Dog > Coronations and the Bible >In the course of writing my series of articles “Between the Testaments”, it has been my privilege to get to know the work and thought of the Methodist scripture scholar, Margaret Barker. Margaret has kindly given the “God Who Speaks” initiative permission to republish a series of articles on “Creation” which she originally wrote for the Moravian Church.
These articles – many of which refer to Margaret’s lifetime study of the Jerusalem Temple – are particularly relevant as we approach the UN climate change conference (COP26) which is being hosted between 1st – 12th November at the SEC centre in Glasgow.
We felt that Margaret’s ten articles almost gave us a set of “Creation Commandments”, and that is how we have re-titled each of the articles, two or three of which we shall be publishing each month between now and Christmas.
We have made a few additions to her collection. These include an introduction, an action point and a short prayer at the end of each of these commandments in order to help us prepare for the forthcoming climate change conference. Margaret stands as an example to us in the way that she mines the sacred scriptures for deep truths, but expresses these truths in an understandable and relevant way – not least because she is talking about something of major importance to us all – the future of the beautiful world which God has made.
Fr Michael Hall is a parish priest in the Leeds Diocese. For over 20 years he was also a teacher and school leader in secondary education. He is Lead Associate of Barnabas Education Services.
What can we learn from the symbolism found in the stories of creation and the building of the Tabernacle in the desert?
What is the Covenant of Peace? And what does it have to do with creation?
What are the consequences for breaking the covenant of creation?
What can we learn from the veil in the temple?
How do we restore the right balance and set creation free?
How did the special garments worn by the High Priest symbolise his role?
How do we cling to the tree of life?
What are the bonds of love that uphold creation?
What are our modern day idols?
