Hank was on his way to the grocery store when he bumped into Anaïs. “Hello, Anaïs.”
“Hello, Pastor Hank.”
“How is the Bible Study coming along?”
“Great. I just finished the first lesson.” The first lesson was, Is There Anything Left You Can Trust? It was a study about the Bible. “I got all the answers right.”
Hank chuckled. “Good for you. Tomorrow, we will go over what you’ve studied and any questions you might have.”
“Do you mind if I asked you one question now?”
“No, not at all. What’s the question?”
“What do you say to people who say that the Bible was written by men and not by God?”
“I tell that that, yes, it was written by men. In fact, the Bible itself says so but it also says that these men do under the influence of the Holy Spirit. The Bible is God’s Word and who knows the things and mind of God, but His Holy Spirit. Paul says so in 1 Corinthians 2:10,11. Jesus told His disciples that when the time of persecution comes and they are arrested and taken to court, ‘do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you’. So, the Holy Spirit also speaks through us. On the day of Pentecost, the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit. And they began to speak in tongues so that the people could understand the great works of God in their own language. It was the Holy Spirit who gave them utterance. This goes back to what Peter said about men not speaking their own words or giving their own interpretation. There at Pentecost, they were speaking from God as they were led by the Holy Spirit. And Jesus said, ‘It is the Spirit who gives life. The flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit and are life’. Just as God spoke through the prophets who then proclaimed His words to the people, He spoke through the writers of the scriptures who penned them for us to read. Jesus told His disciples that the Holy Spirit was going to teach them everything and remind them of all that He told them and thus, we have the Gospels. The Holy Spirit brought to the minds of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John all the teachings and works of Jesus.”
“Mark and Luke weren’t disciples, were they?”
“Mark wasn’t one of the twelve disciples but he was a follower of Christ. His Gospel was based on Peter’s account. And Luke, was a doctor and his Gospel was based on several accounts.”
“So, the short answer is that all scripture is inspired by God?”
“Yes.”
“Thanks, Pastor Hank. I really enjoyed the first lesson and I can’t wait to study the next one.”
“Yes.”
“A lot of people don’t even believe that the Devil exists.”
“I used to know people like that and I felt very sorry for them.”
“I think people like that need our prayers instead of our pity.”
“I guess so. I’m not good at praying, though.”
“I have a book called, Teach Us to Pray. Tomorrow, I will give you a copy.”
“That’s great. Thanks, Pastor Hank.”
“You’re welcome.”
“There’s something I’ve always wondered about.”
“What’s that?”
“If pastors are allowed to marry why can’t Catholic priests be allowed to as well?”
“The idea that priests can’t get married is not based on the Bible. It is more of a church policy.”
“So, the Bible doesn’t forbid them from getting married?”
“No. In fact, there are priests in the Bible who were married and had families. Moses’ brother, Aaron was a High Priest and he had sons who were priests. His son, Eliezer had a son who became a priest as well. Caiaphas, the High Priest in Jesus’ time was married. His father-in-law, Annas was also a high priest. The idea that priests are not to marry is not biblical.”
“I wonder if Ede knows that.”
“Ede?”
“Yes. You see there was this priest. Father Desjardins. He was from Canada. I used to see him and Ede together a lot. Even though he was a priest, I suspected that there was something between them. I believe that if he weren’t a man of the cloth, he and Ede would probably be engaged by now or even married. Oh, well, I guess some relationships just aren’t meant to be.”
“Ede mentioned that he went to Ireland.”
“Yes, he did. I’m sure she was devastated when he left. I wonder if they’re still in touch?”
“He was a young priest.”
“Yes and very attractive too. Poor Ede. I’m sure she was hoping that he wouldn’t leave Cotonou or that he would leave the priesthood for her. Maybe, that could still happen. Maybe, he might decide one day to leave the priesthood and come back here. I’m sure Ede will welcome him with open arms and if he proposes, she would accept right away. Oh, I bumped into Mr. Cooper the other day and he mentioned that Ede and Father Desjardins visited his farm. I’ve been there before and it’s a nice place. I liked feeding the animals, especially, the horses.”
“Did Ede and Father Desjardins visit the farm alone or with a group of people?”
“Mr. Cooper didn’t say. All he said was that they were there together and that Ede had milked a cow. I would have liked to have been there to see that.”
“Oh. Mr. Cooper has invited me to visit his farm. I still have to arrange a day and time when I can go.”
“You’ll love it. And maybe he’ll tell you more about Ede’s and Father Desjardins’ visit.”
Hank leaned away from the wall. “I’d better be going.”
“I’ll see you at the library tomorrow evening.”
“Yes. Goodbye, Anaïs.”
“Goodbye, Pastor Hank.” She watched as he walked briskly away and smiled. Mission accomplished.
Source: Truth Informed; Church of the Great God; Amazing Facts
Notes to Women 