More people should make time for faith

Nicholas Hales (“Arguments that fail to give any answers”, November 25) might appear to be inferring how the Bible excels at repeatedly giving “an answer or argument so convoluted and evasive that it isn’t really an answer at all”.

Is it fair to use the archaic word he chooses [Circumbendibus] to make this charge against the Bible? Let’s consider one of the shortest Bible chapters (Isaiah 53, “The Suffering Servant”).

The figure described in “One Solitary Life” (a famous snippet of prose) clearly fulfils the great messianic prophecy of Isaiah 53.

Can Mr Hales explain how only one personality [the Lord Jesus Christ] fits the prophecy, like a tailor made stocking or glove being placed on a recipient’s leg or hand?

Will Mr Hales be unable or unwilling to answer my question; or will he produce a convoluted, circular and confused response? “Circumbendibus” might be great word to describe the core arguments used by The New Atheist movement of our era.

The arguments for faith, rooted in Christ-creation-conscience, are compelling. As an ordained evangelist, in the Anglican tradition, I would encourage interested “seekers after truth” to consider signing up for the Alpha Course, when the pandemic threat ends (some churches are offering the Alpha Course online at present).

Atheism is eminently curable, when or if we take ample time to look at the evidence.

I found this out over 20 years ago, while doing extended periods of quiet on-call work as a remote rural GP in the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

The Christian faith has been described as a beautiful mosaic, which many people fail to spot, because it frequently takes a little time to wipe away the dust from its surface.

Lack of time, in the busyness of modern life, means that many UK citizens may have never properly explored the strong arguments for faith.

J T Hardy by email