Doing it for the kids ... Cliff Richard. Photograph: Murdo Macleod
So, Cliff Richard has chosen his top 50 Bible stories, to be published in a children's book. It does seem to be a good list, both as a quick introduction to the faith, and for highlighting some interesting and slightly less well-known stories. I was impressed with the inclusion of 1 (3) Kings 18, when Elijah challenges the Baalists to a miracle contest, to see whose God can light a fire. Baal is found wanting, and Elijah responds with sarcasm:
Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked.
Which is to say: try him again - he must be in a meeting, or on the tube, or having a nap.
But everyone's list is different. If I had to replace one of Sir Cliff's selection, I'd be keen to include the moneychangers in the Temple, which shows a very human and uncharacteristically fiery Jesus.
Whether Cliff's choices will be everyone's cup of holy water remains to be seen.
