Good old Tim Keller has been up to his tricks again – preaching the gospel, engaging the culture, applying the Bible, growing the church. So time for a wee take down – lest he get too big for his boots….time for the reformed world twitterati to do the Holy Spirit’s job and convict Tim of sin, righteousness and the judgement to come (and not to … Continue reading Is Tim Keller the Art Heretic?
6am. It’s another beautiful day. The sun is out in bonny Dundee and I am stuck on a hospital bed staring out of the window! Time for some reading and some listening. Earphones, an Iphone and Good Morning Scotland from the BBC on the radio. That should pass the time.! In hospital this time they have been concerned to get my blood pressure to rise … Continue reading Does the BBC Reflect or Shape our Society?
I have just been reading the latest Solas magazine – it is OUTSTANDING! Every article is a gem. I’m so proud of what Scott and his team have done…fascinating articles on Malta; Refugee camps; Being the Truth; The Joy of Creation; Respect (this from a wonderful 18 year old Spanish girl); The Speakers Character (from an Italian pastor); Reformation (Mike Reeves in fine form); Donald … Continue reading Why We Need A Return To Rational Thinking – Solas Magazine Spring 2017
We are currently on a wee break in Kenmore, in the heart of the Perthshire Highlands. And I’ve fulfilled three things on my bucket list. Walked the Birks of Aberfeldy….stunning…not to be missed. Bonnie lassie, will ye go, Will ye go, will ye go, Bonnie lassie, will ye go To the birks of Aberfeldy! Now Simmer blinks on flowery braes, And o’er the crystal … Continue reading The Birks of Aberfeldy, Modern Art, Hygge, the Oldest Living thing on earth and the Best Bookshop in Scotland?
This is an album that is very bleak, if you listen to it against a backdrop of materialistic, atheistic secularism. There really is nothing. No hope, no hallelujah. But if you see this album in the light of the incarnation, life, teaching, death, resurrection and return of the Name above all names, then the darkness only serves to magnify the Light. Continue reading Light out of Darkness: A Review of Leonard Cohen’s ‘You Want It Darker’
Last night I had the joy of attending a concert by the RSNO (Royal Scottish National Orchestra). It was a beautiful and throughly enjoyable evening….I offer the following reflections…. Dundee’s Caird hall is a wonderful setting! I love the rituals at Classical concerts – its so traditional….three encores, don’t clap in between movements…don’t be too enthusiastic – although the lady in front of me … Continue reading Beethoven, Dvorak and a Con Brio
My latest column in Christian Today Isn’t it great to be free! Especially free to be creative. Doesn’t religion shackle creativity? Isn’t it just better to be ourselves and express ourselves? So runs the somewhat narrow and simplistic narrative of some of our culture. Does Christianity really stifle music and the arts? I guess tales of bagpipes being burned (although that may have had something to … Continue reading Does Christianity Stifle Creativity?
Last month I had the privilege of being a guest of the directors of the Tate at a dinner in London marking the opening of a new exhibition entitled “Painting with Light – Art and Photography from the Pre-Raphaelites to the Modern Age.” I was invited as Moderator of the Free Church because we have loaned them one of our great treasures – Octavius Hill’s … Continue reading The Dangerous Democratic Deficit – Scotsman Article – June 9th 2016
“That’s really sweet”, they said,” You’re taking your daughter to the ballet. They were wrong. She was taking me. Why do people think that men won’t like ballet?! EJ gave me a lovely birthday present last night – after a tiring few days at the Free Church General Assembly we went to the Festival Theatre in Edinburgh to see Scottish Ballet’s new production … Continue reading Swan Lake – Beauty and Brilliance
We have a superb artist in St Petes called Robert MacMillan – I love his work, the care he takes, the colours and the depths he uses and especially his use of light….for me his portraits are stunning. I would buy his paintings if I could afford them – but even if you can’t you can now get a couple of beautiful prints – Make … Continue reading The Artist Robert MacMillan
