When Paul invited me to do a reflection for May 2, I thought, ‘Well bang goes my combining my love of God and my love of history!!’ I was about to open my reflection with a comment like, ‘Historically, on the second of May, not much happened’, but then I started to search a little deeper.

With the funeral of The Duke of Edinburgh on the 17 of last month and my affection for the royal family led me to realise that Princess Charlotte, daughter of Duke and Duchess of Cambridge was actually born on May 2, 2015 which means she will be 6 today! Many happy returns Your Royal Highness.

Then a little deeper to find that a man who needs no introduction, David Beckham, was born on May 2, 1975, so he will be 46 today!

However, ignoring acts of war, I come to 1604, when King James I of England James VI of Scotland authorized a translation of the Bible. It was worked on by 47 scholars, who divided themselves into 3 panels. The Old Testament was entrusted to 3 Panels, The New Testament 2 Panels and the Apocrypha one Panel.

This was to be the third English translation, approved by Church authorities. The first was commissioned during the reign of Henry VIII in 1535, the second during the reign of Elizabeth I in 1568. King James convened the Hampton Court Conference where a new English version was conceived in response to problems with earlier translations perceived by puritan factions. This was in 1604 and his coronation was in July 1603, so didn’t waste too much time! The translations was overseen by the Archbishop of Canterbury. Without going into the rights and wrongs of the situation, it was completed in 1611 and issued on May 2.

So, we have a few things to celebrate about May 2 !

Interestingly, about this time, Galileo, the great Italian astronomer and mathematician was put under house arrest for holding the theory that the solar system was heliocentric! This was seen as heretical as the common belief was that the sun and every other astral body orbited the earth. This was born out by many Roman Catholic Biblical scholars at the time.

It’s a strange world we live in! So, the question arises “What do we believe in?” Obviously, we know that all planets in our solar system orbit the sun. We are better informed these days of this reality.

It is reasonable to suggest that the Authorised Version of The Bible is a good starting point. Since 1769 there seems to be very few criticisms of the text of the AV. Some modern translations have been produced to satisfy certain readers, for example the Good News Bible, which many people find readable was printed predominately for the younger reader as it has no long words in it! Which is no bad thing. Other modern versions are paraphrased from the AV text. However, modern research into Biblical translation has not sought to significantly alter what has generally been accepted as sacred text. Therefore, there is good reason to accept that scripture as presented to us by our Pastor and indeed all our Church leaders is accurate, having been scrutinized by many scholars only minor amendments need to be made which accommodate the English language!

Further, we must be able to trust the personal relationship we have with God and His son, Jesus. A relationship means a two-way conversational situation! Your relationship with a friend, family member, marriage partner needs to be balanced! As we read our Bibles, the written words take the back seat to our relationship with God!

As will be obvious, not only is my faith and history passions of mine, but astronomy is a fascination too! It Is interesting to see how science and faith is incongruous to more and more folk. No credence is given to Einstein’s maxim that declares “Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.” I’m not sure many scientists would take issue with one of world’s greatest scientific minds. My God is still the almighty God, maker of the universe.

A closing word of encouragement: You are worth what God paid for you! He only does what is worthwhile. God loves you and so do we!