Category: Art

Art, Culture

Ozzie Observations – Week 6 – The Artist has no Clothes – What the NSW Art Gallery tells us about Australia and the Westo

I love going to art galleries and our trip to the New South Wales Gallery near the Botanical gardens was no exception.  We saw some great paintings in the European and traditional Australian galleries – as well as some in the Asian.  And then…. Art galleries give us a real sense of where a culture has come from and where it is at.  What does … Continue reading Ozzie Observations – Week 6 – The Artist has no Clothes – What the NSW Art Gallery tells us about Australia and the Westo

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Africa, Apologetics, Art, Islam, Music, Sex and sexuality

LED 11 – Las Vegas Shooting – Catalonia – Teddy Taylor – Runrig – Transgender Sperm Frozen – Art for Dogs Sake – Lidl Leaves out the Cross – Africa’s Green Wall – Luther’s Quote

  Light Engaging Darkness no. 11 1) Las Vegas Shooting – As I write America is waking up to the horror of yet another mass killing by a gunman. A 64-year-old Nevada man, Stephen Paddock, killed at least 58 people attending a country music concert in Las Vegas.  Unfortunately there were those who were quick to make judgments and pronouncements. ISIS claimed that Mr. Paddock … Continue reading LED 11 – Las Vegas Shooting – Catalonia – Teddy Taylor – Runrig – Transgender Sperm Frozen – Art for Dogs Sake – Lidl Leaves out the Cross – Africa’s Green Wall – Luther’s Quote

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Art, Evangelism

Is Tim Keller the Art Heretic?

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?

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Art, Britain, Christianity, Culture, Dundee, England, Equality, Ethics, Politics, Radio, TV

Does the BBC Reflect or Shape our Society?

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?

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Art, Newspaper/Magazine Articles, Solas

Why We Need A Return To Rational Thinking – Solas Magazine Spring 2017

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

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Art, Books, Creation, Scotland

The Birks of Aberfeldy, Modern Art, Hygge, the Oldest Living thing on earth and the Best Bookshop in Scotland?

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?

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Art, Music

Light out of Darkness: A Review of Leonard Cohen’s ‘You Want It Darker’

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’

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Art, Dundee, Music

Beethoven, Dvorak and a Con Brio

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

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Apologetics, Art, Culture, Music, Online Articles

Does Christianity Stifle Creativity?

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?

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Art, Britain, Europe, Free Church, Justice, Media, Newspaper/Magazine Articles, Politics, The Free Church

The Dangerous Democratic Deficit – Scotsman Article – June 9th 2016

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

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