Category: Books

Art, Books, Food, Music, Podcasts, Preaching, Theology

Saturday Review 9 – Some Pastors and Teachers; Leaving Neverland; The Briefing; The Dark Side of the Moon; Ting Saboteur

Books – Some Pastors and Teachers – Sinclair Ferguson – 8/10 This is a long and wonderful book from my colleague, Sinclair.  It is really a collection of essays on subjects which are particularly relevant to those of us who are pastors.  In fact I would regard it as essential for any minister to have.  If yours doesn’t then buy it for him.   Sinclair begins … Continue reading Saturday Review 9 – Some Pastors and Teachers; Leaving Neverland; The Briefing; The Dark Side of the Moon; Ting Saboteur

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Art, Australia, Books, Culture, Ethics, Films, Food

Saturday Review 8 – The Chappo Collection; Schindler’s List; The Moral Maze; The Scottish National Gallery; Hemma

Book – The Chappo Collection – 6/10 David Mansfield’s account of the life and work of John Charles Chapman – universally known as ‘Chappo’ is unique.  It’s not a biography, it’s not a critical analysis and it’s not a theological reflection.  It is just what is says in the sub-title “Life, Laughter, Leadership, Love in the Lord Jesus Christ” .  I started reading this book when … Continue reading Saturday Review 8 – The Chappo Collection; Schindler’s List; The Moral Maze; The Scottish National Gallery; Hemma

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Apologetics, Books, Dundee, Films, Food, History, Judaism, Music, Podcasts, Radio, Sermons, Theology, TV

Saturday Review 7 – Operation Finale; Owen Vol 9; From Our Own Correspondent; The White Album; Masterchef; Cafe Scilia

Film – Operation Finale – 7/10 If you have Netflix then don’t miss this film.  The story of the capture of Adolf Eichmann is fascinating enough and this film certainly captures that – but it also raises some great questions and teaches some important lessons. Why do people hate the Jews so much?   “The history of the Jewish people is steeped in suffering and persecution” … Continue reading Saturday Review 7 – Operation Finale; Owen Vol 9; From Our Own Correspondent; The White Album; Masterchef; Cafe Scilia

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Books, Ethics, Films, Food, Music

Saturday Review 6 – Call the Midwife; 12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You; Downfall; Beethoven’s Pastoral; The Ralia Cafe

TV – Call the Midwife – 5/10 This is meant to be the ultimate in tea time feel good UK soap opera.  It is acted well, the characters and story lines are varied and interesting and the whole production, filming and setting is excellent.  However….although this is supposed to be a series that, as the clip below states. ‘warms your heart’, there is much in … Continue reading Saturday Review 6 – Call the Midwife; 12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You; Downfall; Beethoven’s Pastoral; The Ralia Cafe

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Books, Culture, History, Judaism, Music, TV

Saturday Review 5 – Mary Queen of Scots (Book); The Last Survivors; The Harris Hotel; Macbook Air (2018); The Magic of Boney M

Book – Mary Queen of Scots – Antonia Fraser – 7/10 Given the recent film Mary Queen of Scots – Woke Movie of the Year  I thought I would read this biography by one of my favourite writers – Antonia Fraser (her book on Cromwell was very influential in my life!).  This is a superb book – although Fraser is clearly biased in favour of Mary … Continue reading Saturday Review 5 – Mary Queen of Scots (Book); The Last Survivors; The Harris Hotel; Macbook Air (2018); The Magic of Boney M

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Books, Culture, Dundee, Europe, Food, Music, TV

Saturday Review 4 – Our Culture, What’s Left Of It; Graham Norton; Brexit- A Love Story; Leonard Cohen; The Newport..

Book- Our Culture What’s Left Of It, the Mandarins and the Masses – Theodore Dalrymple This is a stunning book.  A delight.  “Dalrymple is a writer of genius: lucid, unsentimental, and profoundly honest…..He is one of the great essayists of our age” (Denis Dutton).  I have no idea how I missed this book (which came out in 2005) but I am so glad I found it … Continue reading Saturday Review 4 – Our Culture, What’s Left Of It; Graham Norton; Brexit- A Love Story; Leonard Cohen; The Newport..

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Apologetics, Bible, Books, Calvinism, Debates, St Peters, The Free Church, Theology, Videos

In Conversation – with Alastair McIntosh

This is a conversation I had with Alastair McIntosh, a Quaker activist, broadcaster and writer.  He is the author of a superb book – Poachers Pilgrimage.  We discussed many things in front of a good audience in St Peters.   It may not sound the most riveting of evenings – over an hour discussing theology, history, the Highlands,church etc – but the most common reaction afterwards from those … Continue reading In Conversation – with Alastair McIntosh

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Books, Culture, Films, Food, Music, Podcasts, TV

Saturday Review 3 – Endeavour; Mary Queen of Scots; John Owen; Brendan O’Neill Podcast; The Bothy Band; Berties

Each week this review looks at different aspects of culture Film:  Mary Queen of Scots I have reviewed this film in more detail for the Spectator (in Australia) and will post it when they publish it next week.  But for now let me summarise it in this way – This is a shallow, superficial and silly film – its not suitable for Christians (or anyone)  … Continue reading Saturday Review 3 – Endeavour; Mary Queen of Scots; John Owen; Brendan O’Neill Podcast; The Bothy Band; Berties

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Books, Britain, Europe, Politics, Uncategorized

The Great Deception 13 – In A Minority of One

Before going on to Ch. 12 of The Great Deception –  lets catch The Brexit saga rolls on and this week took another turn.  After Mrs May’s Brexit agreement was roundly defeated by over 200 votes, this week it passed by a surprisingly comfortable margin of 16 votes.  Except of course it didn’t because it was not the same plan.  The amended plan would seek … Continue reading The Great Deception 13 – In A Minority of One

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Art, Asia, Books, Culture, Films, Preaching, TV

The Saturday Review (2) – The Scots in China; The Old Man and the Gun; Logic on Fire; Romans 9 – God’s Sovereign Purpose;

TV – The Scots in China This is a short two part series on the Scots in China.  Neil Oliver is a marmite presenter.  You either love or hate him – many people find his voice really grating.  I actually enjoy his style.  The whole programme was intriguing- although it skirted some of the serious issues.  How did the businessmen and media people justify working … Continue reading The Saturday Review (2) – The Scots in China; The Old Man and the Gun; Logic on Fire; Romans 9 – God’s Sovereign Purpose;

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