Learning to whistle! - Sketches on the life and times of Elijah the Prophet

 

Preface

It seems to me, when it comes to books being written, that there is not very much either new or original getting through on the Christian scene. At least, not very much that is new or original and biblical all at the same time. There is no shortage of the weird and wonderful, there usually never is, and what I call fringe doctrines and ministries, along with the inevitable quota of the latest exciting and exotic 'never before experienced but has only now been received from the Lord'- type revelations positively abound. A trip to any local Christian bookstore is an almost Disney-esque odyssey of discovery presenting material, and much of it written by well known and respected Christian leaders too, which would, were he not otherwise occupied, have Paul the apostle either falling about laughing or having a fit. For those for who absolutely anything will do, and for who virtually anything goes, then Christian bookstores are a little bit like Paradise.

There is not, however, anything new or original in this book; and for the simple reason that I don't believe there is actually anything new or original to be said. Even when it comes to those who endlessly churn out today's abundance of contemporary false doctrines, it's still all just a re-working of very much older ones. Today's false teachings are merely the modern day counterparts of age-old heresies that have long since been thoroughly countered and dealt with. There is, indeed, nothing new under the sun, just old ideas changing their clothes in order to better fit in with our present day thinking, and to more easily be embraced by those who (mistakenly) think them original.

I would say, however, that this book is perhaps nevertheless somewhat different to the norm. Not new or original, no, but definitely different. As I have already indicated, as someone who actually believes the Bible I don't therefore buy into the idea that there is actually anything new or original to be said concerning its content. After two thousand years of having the completed scriptures most of what is in them has, believe me, long been discovered and looked at in depth. What I do think though is that a lot of the old stuff in God's Word has yet to be properly understood or put into practice by modern day believers.

So of new revelation I not only know nothing, I steadfastly reject the very possibility that there could be any in the first place; but when it comes to applying age old revelation and teaching found in the pages of scripture, then I am convinced that there is still a very great deal to be said. Any resulting novelty, any concepts that strike one as being new, will not then be coming from some new or unique revelation or understanding of God's Word, or anything like that at all, but rather from a simple determination to take what understanding we already do have to it's full and logical conclusion. It is a strange thing, but we Christians have an enduring tendency to take things that are not biblical to the point of absurdity, whilst leaving so much that is undeniably and self evidently what the Bible teaches at the starting line and virtually refusing to run any distance with them at all. How very odd!

"So why write a book about Elijah then?" I hear you ask, "Why him?" Well, it's a good question: and the answer is that many moons ago when I was still in the early years of my discipleship, when dinosaurs ruled the earth and Star Trek had Captain James T Kirk commanding the USS Enterprise with Mr Spock as his Science Officer, I discovered his story in the Old Testament only to find that he veritably leapt out of it's pages, grabbed me unceremoniously by my lapels and kind of looked me straight in the eye. I got the decided feeling that the Lord was going to speak to me through this prophet of a bygone day, and speak to me through him He most certainly did. And the more years that have gone by, the more certain I have become of the things He showed me.

"So what's with the whistling then? What has it got to do with learning to whistle?" Yes, I thought you might be wondering about that too! Well, I'm not going to tell you! At least, not just yet! I mean to say, I've got to keep you interested somehow, haven't I? After all, this is only the preface! But what I will tell you is that if you do keep right on going and read this book, even though it might make you little bit angry here and there, I am convinced that at least you won't be bored by it, and if only because you'll probably be disagreeing so vehemently with what I write. Yes, I certainly think that it will keep you both interested and entertained. It will also eventually become clear as well just what Elijah, and some extremely important things concerning Christians and the Christian church, have to do with learning to whistle.

So I give you fair warning! My little trap is sprung, and I can only hope that you are now so firmly caught in it that you find no escape and decide to keep reading. You will come across some things here and there that aren't really for the spiritually faint hearted, but that isn't, I feel, a very good reason for not proceeding. Indeed, it might actually be the very best of reasons for you to keep going. And most books are usually all the better for a bit of spice anyway. May I therefore invite you, dear reader, to make your way to Chapter One?

Go on, I dare you!

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