Reflection 12 and

the waving palm branches; and the garments tossed in his way. However, when I looked closely, among the clothes were modern T-shirts and jeans – two millennia of history and growth brilliantly encompassed by the creativity of the artist. Or, over a shorter time span, consider the rise and fall of the Victorian-era Salvation Army bonnet.

Words are icons too. Think of the texts that still adorn some mercy seats. And these iconic words progress from the simple to the complex. ‘In my heart today,/ There’s a melody in my heart today’ (SASB 863) has been sung exuberantly by many generations of Salvationists. The words leap unthinkingly to mind. Yet anyone planning a meeting can now find a reference to Ephesians 5:19 in William Metcalf’s scholarly concordance to the songbook, and also to Psalm 28:7 in the references pinned directly to the songs. From a simple chorus, we progress to a biblical theology, or faith reflecting on itself.

For growth in understanding we are never left to our own devices. The scholarship of William Metcalf and those like him, the creativity of artists, the heritage of hymns, the worship of the community of faith – all these and more guide us on our journey.

Ron is a Christian writer in the Netherlands and Jim lives in retirement in Dunoon. They became friends in 1966 while cadets at Denmark Hill.

Is it this, or is it that?

Iconographer Wim Kanis weighs in on Ron and Jim’s discussion

IN classic icon painting you have to copy another older icon as closely as possible – there is no room to change the main image. Although the painter might want to change things on the fringes, most of those symbols indicate who the depicted person is.

Working in the Byzantine tradition, iconographers are obliged to seek prototype images within the Canons of the Eastern Orthodox Church. The face of Thomas in this icon is from a stamp issued by the government of India. The form of his body is copied from a 14th-century altar screen icon of Christ Pantocrator – Christ as the ruler of the universe. It is a frontal Byzantine presentation, copied from a mosaic in the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. I painted the icon because of my connection with the Indian subcontinent. As members of various Salvation Army relief and rehabilitation teams, my wife and I worked a number of years in Bangladesh and Pakistan and still feel connected to the people there. Recently I was a guest in the St Thomas Benedictine Abbey in Kappadu, where

Wim and his icon

I hope to return and present this icon as a great thank you gift and encouragement to the Malabar Christians.

There is so much precious symbolism and tradition in icon paintings. There is a continuous story to tell, symbolised by the main figure in the centre – the fringes are important to give direction and some guidance.

In my opinion, the fringes of our religious thinking have changed through history and will continue to develop, but in the centre of it all remains the un-imaginable God. Salvation Army symbols such as uniforms, flags and even orders and regulations have changed over the years. Their changes are evidence of a living Movement.

Fringes can – and do – evolve. Those changes may be necessary but, in the centre of it all, God will always be there, in whatever way we try to depict him.

For me, icon painting means constantly learning about God and what he means to me. It is a way for me to grow as a Christian. Time after time I think to myself: ‘Is it this, or is it that?’ I don’t see myself as an iconoclast. I see myself as a learner.

Mary’s song

Captain Vanessa Coleman considers Mary’s heartfelt response to the honour of invitation into God’s story

LUKE 1:39–56

IHAVE always wondered how Mary felt when she experienced her baby kicking in her womb for the first time. A pregnancy is hard enough to believe when you see those two lines on a pregnancy test or an image of your child on an ultrasound scan. But for Mary, after her encounter with the angel and the pushback from her community, what gratifying reassurance to feel that butterfly flutter that grows into a fierce kick in the ribs.

Corrie ten Boom wrote: ‘Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable, receives the impossible.’ More than anyone before her or since, Mary had truly been presented with the invisible, unbelievable and impossible workings of God. In those months before she could see a growing bump, or count those reassuring movements of the baby, God also gave her the wonderful gift of Elizabeth’s comforting companionship in faith.

Encounters with Jesus bring joy. Elizabeth’s own impossible baby jumped in recognition that God is who he says he is and does what he says he does. The Holy Spirit filled Elizabeth with joy and encouraged Mary, through the one person who could understand what she was experiencing.

PAUSE AND REFLECT

Despite the opinions of those around you or the evidence of your own senses, what are the invisible, unbelievable and impossible things God is asking you to believe? Who might be the right person to share your journey of faith? Together, how might you be able to encounter the encouraging joy of Jesus?

Mary’s obedient faith recognises the honour of invitation into God’s story. However, the Magnificat is not only a profusion of delight but also an insight into the character and nature of God.

We know that women were the first to proclaim the Resurrection. Wouldn’t we love to hear their words? Mary stands in good tradition of Jewish women singing out against oppression – Miriam (see Exodus 15:2–21), Deborah (see Judges 5:1–31) and Hannah (see 1 Samuel 2:1–10).

It’s worth listening to those who have lived under oppression for perspective on Mary’s challenge to the powers that

Through the week with Salvationist

– a devotional thought for each day

by Major Philippa Smale

SUNDAY

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord!/ Unnumbered blessings give my spirit voice;/ Tender to me the promise of his Word;/ In God my Saviour shall my heart rejoice.

(SASB 393)

MONDAY

My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me – holy is his name. (Luke 1:46–49)

TUESDAY

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his name!/ Make known his might, the deeds his arm has done;/ His mercy sure, from age to age the same;/ His holy name, the Lord, the mighty one.

(SASB 393)