Quite recently there has been a series of three radio interviews on BBC Radio 4 called 'Humphrys in search of God'. In each a leading representative of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism was interviewed by the broadcaster John Humphrys, well-known for his acerbic style of interviewing, and regarded as the interviewer most feared by politicians.

John Humphrys presents himself as one who remembers his faith when a child (brought up as an Anglican) but now finding it impossible to believe in a loving God when so much misery is allowed to happen without God's intervention. The transcripts of the interviews are available on the www.bbc.co.uk website. Having not originally heard all of the radio broadcasts I did a search on 'John Humphrys faith' and was able to find the pages and download the transcripts. They make fascinating reading.

Humphrys challenged all three leaders with the questions "Is God an intervening God?", "What does it mean when you pray?", and "How can a loving God allow things like Auschwitz to happen?", in varying forms.

One of three leaders spots that the very basis behind these hard questions means that Humphrys is really thinking God's thoughts. In other words there only is a problem if there really is a loving God, who cares about us mere mortals. The questions presume God's existence. They can only be asked by someone who believes in God enough to regard them as problems. Yet as each interview concludes the impression one has is that Humphrys is not convinced, that he must still continue with his search for faith. In reality I think it entirely possible he has more faith than he realises. He is asking the right questions, which would not be possible without a faith he is perhaps unconscious of.

I am writing this in the Christmas season, and I believe that the message of this season has perhaps a hint as to how to answer these questions. Christians believe that God has intervened in human affairs, by taking upon Himself our very nature: the Eternal Word, Creator of everything, 'became flesh and lived for a while among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the only begotten who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.' (John 1:1-14). When God intervened two millenia ago it was as a vulnerable child, in very danger of his life. And the intervention came to an Auschwitz-like climax, with that man being tortured to death, nailed on a cross. God aligned Himself with those who were also tortured to death in Auschwitz and other similar places. If "where was God in Auschwitz?" is the question, "alongside all the victims," is the answer.

Since the Bethlehem intervention, and following the victory over death this intervention achieved, God's intervention has continued, but in a different way. He is working through all who have given their lives to the Son. However imperfectly, and the imperfections are all too easy to pinpoint, God is working through His people. There are those who tend the sick, feed the hungry, and comfort the sufferers in whatever practical way is possible. It is a war between good and evil, between light and darkness, and though it has gone on for two millenia already we are promised an eventual end. There will be a final intervention, we know not when.

The very nature of this final intervention leaves one torn between, on the one hand, asking 'How long, O Lord?' and praying for the intervention to be soon, so that there may be an end to suffering, and on the other hand not daring to be found unready and unprepared. This final intervention will sweep away the physical universe as we know it, and bring in the Age to Come. There are some uncomfortable words about those who will be left behind. It is a very brave man who says to God: "Please intervene now."

Whether what I have written will help John Humphrys (or any like him), who knows? For each of us whatever faith we have is a gift from God. Both he and I will be judged on how well we have worked out in our lives the measure of faith given to us. From those to whom much is given, much will be required.