Experience the world of the Bible in Ballyholme
This week, Ballyholme Parish is hosting a unique interactive exhibition exploring the life and culture of the world’s bestselling book.
‘The Bible Comes to Life’ boasts a rich collection of historic artefacts including Torah (Bible) scrolls, Middle Eastern clothes, models of the Tabernacle and Temple and items of Biblical religious and daily life. People will be able see, touch and smell the world of the Bible.
The exhibition is a pre–Christmas treat for all ages and offers an opportunity to learn about Jewish life, culture and religion from the Hebrew Scriptures. It also places the roots of Christianity in their original and spiritual context.
Rector of Ballyholme, Canon Simon Doogan, said:
“If you think of the Jesus of Easter as a solitary, lonely, rejected, abandoned figure, the Jesus of Christmas has a family and has a community. That family and that community were first century near eastern Jews, so faith and festivals, home and Temple were the centre of gravity. The exhibition takes us back to that time and reminds us of those fixed points in Jesus’ life.
“It also takes us back to before the Reformation, before the division in East and West to the prehistory that gave birth to Christianity. The Hebrew Scriptures were the Bible Jesus read so understanding the world of the Old Testament – Jesus’ world – is vital to our understanding of the New Testament.”
Members of the public can enjoy the experience free of charge from Wednesday 28 – Friday 30 November from 6.30 pm–9.30 pm and on Saturday 1 December from 1.30 pm–5.00 pm. St Columbanus Church of Ireland, 68 Groomsport Road, Bangor, BT20 5NE.
Pictured above: Canon Simon Doogan watches as the Temple model takes shape. Also pictured is Paul Hames from The Church’s Ministry Among Jewish People (CMJ UK).