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 PrintableVersion Divine WeatherRaining in my heartDIVINE WEATHER, Have you ever wondered what exactly that cloud was that Elijah's servant saw on Mount Carmel, 'as small as a man's hand, rising out of the sea'? Have you tried to imagine how God brought the darkness that shrouded the cross? If so, this book is intended for you. Divine Weather is a systematic exploration of biblical references to weather-related phenomena, written to give the reader a fresh appreciation of both the physical creation behind those references, and their spiritual meaning. The author identified 388 weather-related passages that form the raw material on which the book is based. These passages are highly varied, including storms and forecasts, similes and metaphors. In the first half of the book the author uses five chapters to explore some major weather-related passages, from Creation to the journeys of Paul. A further three chapters introduce our own weather experiences, global climate, and the climate of the Near East. In the second half the author adopts a topical approach, considering features such as the use of cloud imagery to depict God in relation to men. The book is aimed at the intelligent layman, and no theological or meteorological knowledge is assumed. Being both a Methodist lay preacher and a retired Chief Forecaster from the Met. Office, the author appears well placed to write a book such as this. Indeed, his explanations of weather phenomena are accurate and easy to read. He is clear and concise even when technical, and uses colour diagrams to illustrate his meaning. However, this book falls seriously short of theological orthodoxy. The author considers the Bible to be 'a most remarkable publication' (p.15) and 'God-inspired' (p.16), but wonders (p.68) 'How much is literal truth and how much is fabrication to illustrate truth?' He believes that 'theologians periodically bring new and exciting discoveries to our attention, formulating new truths' (p.28). Hence the author relies on his scientific judgement to decide whether any text should be understood literally. For example, Elijah prophesied a complete absence of dew and rain, but McGinnigle argues that 'it seems more likely that the country was affected by a very prolonged dry spell with vastly reduced and insufficient rain' (p.116). The darkness during the crucifixion 'is the comprehensible symbolism chosen by those who recorded the event to communicate the separation of Jesus from God' (p.145). The treatment of Genesis 1 is a microcosm of the book: revelation is portrayed as pre-scientific understanding ('the writers of this account thought the earth was flat', p.14), and is then replaced by man's wisdom (in verse 3 'the sun started transmitting electromagnetic radiation', p.31, cf. v.16). This book gives accurate and clear explanations of the meteorological background to many of the weather events and images in the Bible, but because of its theology and exegesis it is for the discerning reader only. Dr. Tim Mitchell, © Evangelicals Now - October 2001 |
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