Gospels should be alongside the saint

Jan 11 2008 by Peter Leathley, The Journal

THE Lindisfarne Gospels are a unique reminder of a time when the Kingdom of Northumbria was the most powerful and influential area of post-Roman Britain, and a centre of learning unparalleled throughout Europe.

They belong within the ancient Kingdom and where could there be a more suitable location than alongside the remains of their major influence and inspiration, St Cuthbert.

They are our own equivalent of the Stone of Scone and as long as they remain within the vaults of a pompous, self-gratifying institution far away there will be an unfailing desire to bring them home.

The one issue in which I am in agreement with the British Library is that the safety and security of the Gospels is paramount. However, this does not justify the continual exile of the documents in a part of the country which has little in common with the North. We could ensure they were well cared for, given the chance.

We undervalue our heritage. We seem to be proud of the fact that Northumbria is known as “the Secret Kingdom”. Most present day Northumbrians are unaware that we have our own tartan (the Shepherds Plaid) which pre-dates any of the Scottish tartans by some centuries.

How many in the North-East are aware that there are three kings buried at Tynemouth Priory?

How many are aware that half of Scotland was once part of Northumbria?

We should be aware.

JOHN ROBINSON, Tynemouth, North Tyneside

Virulent attack on the Christian faith

IN his observations on the Lindisfarne Gospels and “Christianity”, it has been fascinating to see the humanist Philip Nathan produce such a vast catalogue of human failure in his virulent attack on the Christian faith (Voice of the North, January 8).

Nowhere does the gospel of Christ assert that human beings are yet perfect or have they any hope of becoming so by their own human efforts. There remains one singular exception to universal human imperfection. That exception is “the man Christ Jesus”.

He, the man Christ Jesus, is still alive. His purpose, birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension, and his current occupation can best be studied in his gospel. Has your contributor a better suggestion?

By all means let us press for the return of the Lindisfarne Gospels to Durham, preferably for good.

Most if not quite all of us would do very much better to begin to give serious study again to the principal subject of the gospels we have already, in our churches, and still in many of our homes. As Pontius Pilate famously said: “Behold the man.”

NEVILLE STUART, Morpeth, Northumberland