In the early 1980’s I was studying history and politics at the University of Edinburgh. I had been attending Morningside Baptist Church, and indeed had been baptised there – but, through reading the Bible, I became what is called ‘Reformed’ – even though I did not know what that was! I became to look for a church that taught this biblical theology but also practised. … Continue reading The Free Church and the Poor
I am in the Netherlands this weekend – saying goodbye to some dear friends and looking forward to worshipping in Dutch today. Last Sunday we continued our series in Romans. Two very different services – in the morning we looked at the role of the Church in politics – the relationship of Church and State (it’s not as dull as it sounds!) from Romans 13:1-7 … Continue reading Romans 13:1-7 – Church and State. Romans 13:8-14 – Living in the Light. Special Events and Dutch Worship
Dear President Macron , Thanks to your letter to me and other citizens of Europe. I appreciate you taking the time to write (I assume of course that you are still writing to me even although I will not be a citizen of the EU soon – I will still be a citizen of Europe – You would not be one of those who confuse … Continue reading A Letter to President Macron
Annabel and I have just returned from a lovely weekend on the Blessed Isles – Lewis and Harris – where I was speaking at the Harris Bible Conference, along with Roger Simpson the Anglican evangelist (now in York but better known to Scots as the former pastor of St P’s and G’s in Edinburgh). We really did have a wonderful weekend – encouraging and … Continue reading Revival, Renewal and Reformation in Lewis and Harris
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
Last Sunday Sinclair preached on Hebrews 13:8 ‘Jesus Christ, the Same, Yesterday, Today and Forever”. You can hear the sermon alone by going to the St Peters website. Here is the whole service. The song we sang (although only the chorus!) was an old one – Yesterday, Today, Forever…I suspect when you hear the tune you will recognise it.. In the evening I preached on … Continue reading Hebrews 13:8 – Yesterday, Today, Forever; A Difficult Sermon on Predestination Romans 9:14-23…St Peters 6th Jan 2019
Last Sunday morning we looked at some ‘meat’…the Golden Chain of Romans 8:28-30 including the subject of predestination! As you can imagine lots of questions afterwards…here is the whole service…you can get the sermon only from the St Peters website. In my view it is so practical and helpful for Christians to grasp this – indeed, as in my own case, it is life changing. … Continue reading The Golden Chain (Romans 8:28-30), Predestination; Matthew 1; Monday Message and St Pauls
John Nicholson an SNP leader and former MP showed just what the new campaign of tolerance, respect and love means for the SNP and Scottish Government when yesterday on the Andrew Marr show he referred to Christians in the Western Isles as ‘the Tartan Taliban’. For those who are not able to access the BBC Iplayer through the link above here is a transcript of … Continue reading The Tartan Taliban?
(This is the substance of a talk I gave in the place where McCheyne began his ministry. It is not just of historical interest – there are lessons to be learnt from McCheyne in his ‘assistantship period’ for today. Robert Murray McCheyne in Larbert and Dunipace Robert Murray McCheyne was a young man from Edinburgh who became the minister of St Peter’s Church in Dundee … Continue reading Robert Murray McCheyne in Larbert – Lessons from a young minister in the 19th Century
One of the more puzzling aspects of the Brexit debate I don’t understand (and I mean I genuinely can’t get my head round it) is the concern about the possibility of a shortage of workers after Brexit. Only this week I heard that one in ten care home staff are from the EU and that there are major concerns for agriculture (especially fruit picking) and … Continue reading Has Britain lost the Protestant Work Ethic?
